Journal / Field Notes | June 21, 2023
Photo by Bryan Maxwell
June Drought
The vines could use some rain. Most of the vineyard looks fine: healthy, green shoots are still growing albeit not with their usual mid-June vigor. Post bloom fruit set looks good with most developing clusters having a good number of berries.
The differences in drought impact is noticeable when walking various vineyard blocks. Vine age, slope aspect, and soil water holding capacity all influence vine performance under dry conditions.
Most older vines seem unaffected as their deep roots are still finding adequate moisture. Replants (young vines planted to replace an original vine that died in an existing block) are suffering the most as their developing roots can’t complete with their older neighbors.
South slopes have dried out and the vines show it with significantly less vigor. Even the grass has browned. Northeast slopes still need an occasional mowing.
Vineyard blocks in clay-based soils have filled up the trellis and the tall shoots need a topping hedge. Clay has a high water holding capacity. But rocky granite soils are dry and the vines are starting to show signs of stress.
A bit of hydric stress is welcome, but we are now on the cusp of too much stress. A couple of inches of rain would be the great equalizer by refreshing the vines so they can get through this important period of rapid shoot development.
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Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Journal/Field Notes: June 21, 2023