The True Value of Cold Hardy Hybrids
When the early members of the Minnesota Grape Growers Association (MGGA) first experimented with wine grapes in the early 1970’s, all the vines were cold tender or marginal at best. Foch stood out as...
Author: John Marshall
KDL Needs to Be Studied Scientifically
What a growing season it has been. It began the first week in March with several days at and soon above 80 F. Many weeks before they should, our buds were swelling and...
John Marshall: Spring Pruning and Frost Protection
As I write, it is easily the warmest March in my lifetime. In fact, it is seems like the warmest winter in history. I was watching the weather the other night and the weatherman...
How to Indentify Injury to Grape Buds
When temperatures go down below freezing, grape buds can tolerate temperatures down to about 28 F. If temperatures drop below 28 F, new buds that have emerged are subject to injury. However, the duration...
John Marshall: Winter Vineyard Tips
Winter is upon us and, while it has been unseasonably warm this year, January still looms before us. It is an annual event for any fruit grower that January always stands like the Sword...
John Marshall: Frost Damage Protection for the Small Grower
Here in Minnesota and across much of the Upper Midwest we have had two dramatic frost damage events in the past year and a half. One on Mother’s Day Weekend in Spring 2010 and...
John Marshall From the Vineyard
Editor’s note: This is the first of a series of columns by John Marshall of Great River Vineyard in Lake City, Minnesota This season, like every season it seems, has been very atypical. Spring...