Thank you, Amy, for these informative and encouraging newsletters! I say encouraging because the PNW is rife with challenges of all sorts and gardeners/farmers should not give up too easily, even when confronted with them. Since you mention the “set” on the grapes, I can share that our yields are also down quite a bit (compared to some years.) Add to that starved wildlife (deer) and the crop is further reduced. Our fruit wire height is around 24”, so training the canes to grow higher might be a great way to overcome this, if you see damage. If you have use for some delicious Pinot Gris fruit (juicing), please let me know as I bottled some (unfermented) last year and it was truly amazing. Would be happy to gift to you! And Thank You for the tip on the Pear Pandowdy! Sounds yummy!
I have heard from other gardeners that their grape fruit set is a bit lower than other years. Perhaps we just didn't get enough wind? I seem to recall fabulous weather while they were flowering.
Yes, the weather seemed fairly ideal, but there may have been “heavy air” due to rain squalls we did experience. We saw good breezes where we are, but it’s always a guess as to why some areas do better than others. At least, the Pinot Gris fruit appears plentiful and healthy, so I’ll let you know when Brix are close to ideal and you can come get some. We’re thinking another week or even two, but I will know more later today when Chris does the Brix measurements.
The Brix are at around 21, so harvest of Pinot Gris could proceed next week. Let me know when would be a good time for you to come by. Do you have some buckets? We can also loan you ours.
Same! We inherited a grape arbor with several grape varieties when we bought our house a few years ago. This year is significantly less productive for no reason apparent to us. Thanks for your post and observations on the topic!
Thank you, Amy, for these informative and encouraging newsletters! I say encouraging because the PNW is rife with challenges of all sorts and gardeners/farmers should not give up too easily, even when confronted with them. Since you mention the “set” on the grapes, I can share that our yields are also down quite a bit (compared to some years.) Add to that starved wildlife (deer) and the crop is further reduced. Our fruit wire height is around 24”, so training the canes to grow higher might be a great way to overcome this, if you see damage. If you have use for some delicious Pinot Gris fruit (juicing), please let me know as I bottled some (unfermented) last year and it was truly amazing. Would be happy to gift to you! And Thank You for the tip on the Pear Pandowdy! Sounds yummy!
I would love some, that sounds amazing!
I have heard from other gardeners that their grape fruit set is a bit lower than other years. Perhaps we just didn't get enough wind? I seem to recall fabulous weather while they were flowering.
Yes, the weather seemed fairly ideal, but there may have been “heavy air” due to rain squalls we did experience. We saw good breezes where we are, but it’s always a guess as to why some areas do better than others. At least, the Pinot Gris fruit appears plentiful and healthy, so I’ll let you know when Brix are close to ideal and you can come get some. We’re thinking another week or even two, but I will know more later today when Chris does the Brix measurements.
Hi Amy.
The Brix are at around 21, so harvest of Pinot Gris could proceed next week. Let me know when would be a good time for you to come by. Do you have some buckets? We can also loan you ours.
Hi Susanne! Where are you located? Feel free to email me: manning.amym@gmail.com
Same! We inherited a grape arbor with several grape varieties when we bought our house a few years ago. This year is significantly less productive for no reason apparent to us. Thanks for your post and observations on the topic!
Oh interesting! Hmm. I may have to do more investigating, thanks for the comment!