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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Two questions

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  • From: "Bill Shoemaker" <wshoemak AT inil.com>
  • To: <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Two questions
  • Date: Mon, 30 Dec 2002 08:16:09 -0600

>But a question... I have grapes, just Concords.
>Any tips on a training schedule?
>And what information might you have about grapes that are suited to the
>Midwest... Zone 5a, 5b?
>I'd like to try my hand at winemaking... which I did do when I was growing
>grapes in Western NY. Made a great Riesling champayne there one year.
>Entirely an accident of good fate. But the Western NY climate was moderate
>in the winter and kinder to vinifera grapes than I think Illinois would be.
>Any ideas on how a Marchal Foch (sp?) would do in my zone?

Marachel Foch is way hardy for Illinois. It'll do fine for you in northern
Illinois or Indiana. There are several others available that should do well.
If you like Riesling, try St Pepin or La Crescent. They're whites that are
very hardy. As for other reds, try Frontenac, Leon Millot, GR 7 or
Chancellor . Many other good ones are in development and will be released
soon.

As for training Concord, you just need to pick one of the systems that suits
your style of work. If you have a trellis in place, just train the grape to
fit it's shape. For example, if you have a trellis with a high and a low
wire, train a trunk up to the high wire and allow four branches, one in each
direction on each wire. You can make those arms (cordons for those who speak
french) permanent, with shoots coming of of them every 6-8". Cut those
shoots back every year to leave 2-3 fresh buds (last years buds). Those will
produce new shoots that will each carry 2-3 clusters of grapes. The
important point is that productive vine produce their best grapes on buds
that were developed in the previous season. Manage your plants (i.e., cut
them back every year) so that they have a reasonably strong frame and well
distributed fresh buds for the next season's crop. Every training system is
a variation on that theme. You could choose one from any number of formal
systems and have good results, as long as you keep the plant well-trained.

Bill Shoemaker
Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops
Univ of Illinois - St Charles Hort Research Center





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