My experimental high tunnel grape vine is growing. I noticed bud swell beginning in the week starting March 15th.
We had a couple of cold nights, with one frost/freeze warning. Fortunately, this was not a concern as temps were not suppose to dip below about 28F degrees. I have pruned the top bud off and rubbed off the bottom bud after the center bud produced several leaves and began to grow a strong trunk vine. Note the tendrils are already growing as well.
I went to my daughters home on the 2nd of April, and her field grape propagated from a pre-prohibition grape varietal was just starting to show signs of very early bud development. I am looking forward to watching the development of this vine.
I did not receive the USDA SARE grant this year. This is a blessing in disguise, for I am still awaiting the delayed high tunnel cost share decision. The government shutdown over the winter has slowed down the USDA, and, apparently, the high tunnel decision is down the list of things to do.
This slower than normal time frame does benefit me, in a way, though. I will be seeding the high tunnel ground with oats and daikon radish seeds tomorrow. A summers growth will provide a nice cover crop amendment to the soil. This should trap a goodly amount of slow release nitrogen as well as bring up other nutrients from below.
In the mean time, I am planting plums, pruning the blackberries, installing some drip irrigation, and otherwise making ready for future fruits.
Mike