Marechal Foch Grapes
They're almost ripe, and it is a race between me and the critters (birds), which are eating them at a fast clip. I draped bird netting over the arbor, but there are too many gaps and it is probably not going to do much good. If I can get enough in a week I can start to harvest.
What is it about vermin this year? I've had more losses from birds, raccoons, and groundhogs than ever before. Maybe it's due to our hot dry summer here? The birds have probably eaten 20% of my crop and I am hoping to get 50-60% of it.
Yes, yes, I know: to you city slickers out there, raccoons are just so darned cute: vermin?!? YES!
Still, the vines were loaded this year, and grapes are an especially satisfying crops on many levels, not least from an aesthetic one.
Marechal Foch Grapes
They're almost ripe, and it is a race between me and the critters (birds), which are eating them at a fast clip. I draped bird netting over the arbor, but there are too many gaps and it is probably not going to do much good. If I can get enough in a week I can start to harvest.
What is it about vermin this year? I've had more losses from birds, raccoons, and groundhogs than ever before. Maybe it's due to our hot dry summer here? The birds have probably eaten 20% of my crop and I am hoping to get 50-60% of it.
Yes, yes, I know: to you city slickers out there, raccoons are just so darned cute: vermin?!? YES!
Still, the vines were loaded this year, and grapes are an especially satisfying crops on many levels, not least from an aesthetic one.