Winter is hard enough without windchill. But the two exist together in the rural countryside like corn and soybeans. When it's too cold for outdoor chores, hubby can get real creative with inside activities.
Today, he's cleaning the old stable with purpose. His purpose? Cash.
In just a few hours time, he plucked the oldest, rustiest, most useless crap we own out of storage, dusted the items off, snapped pictures, and posted them for sale either on Craig's List or on eBay.
So far, he's racked up nearly $200 in sales. Go hubby go!
Case in point.
20 February 2008
19 February 2008
VSP, the trellis of choice for Four Cedars Vineyard
Last weekend, hubby and I attended the Minnesota Grape Growers Association Cold Climate Conference, where every year growers and winery people gather to discuss riveting topics such as foliar fertilization, fungicides and soil condition; the conference is also the site of the continued annual debate over grow tubes: Should we use grow tubes or shouldn't we? The industry has yet to reach consensus.
We went into this conference with money down on 650 vines (300 white wine grapes, 300 red wine grapes, and 50 table grapes, just for kicks), and intent to get our trellis supplies ordered. Of course, nothing is easy in this business. There are several different trellis configurations depending on your planting site, the vigor of your cultivar, and the height of the vineyard workers. Since my nickname around the farm is "shorty pants," we selected the Vertical Shoot Positioning or VSP trellis configuration.
With VSP, the cordon (the wire from which fruiting canes emerge) is placed about 30 inches above the ground, with the vines being trained out from the trunk, then up across several catchwires. If all goes according to plan, that puts the fruiting zone right at chest height.
Experienced growers are transitioning to VSP because they like not having to work with their arms above their heads all day long. Here's a picture to help you visualize.
We went into this conference with money down on 650 vines (300 white wine grapes, 300 red wine grapes, and 50 table grapes, just for kicks), and intent to get our trellis supplies ordered. Of course, nothing is easy in this business. There are several different trellis configurations depending on your planting site, the vigor of your cultivar, and the height of the vineyard workers. Since my nickname around the farm is "shorty pants," we selected the Vertical Shoot Positioning or VSP trellis configuration.
With VSP, the cordon (the wire from which fruiting canes emerge) is placed about 30 inches above the ground, with the vines being trained out from the trunk, then up across several catchwires. If all goes according to plan, that puts the fruiting zone right at chest height.
Experienced growers are transitioning to VSP because they like not having to work with their arms above their heads all day long. Here's a picture to help you visualize.
17 February 2008
A day when spring seems possible
The thermometer has risen above the freezing point two times in 2008: once in January and again on February 16.
Both days have left hubby and I rejoicing for the chance to get outside and get some exercise in the way that only make sense here at Four Cedars Farms -- working around the property. This weekend, we did a bit of lumberjacking, pruning new trees, trimming mature trees that often interfere with lawn work in the summer, and of course, cutting up downed trees, of which there are no shortage around here.
Above, the tools of the trade. Below, just one tangled mess among many to be found here.
To the fire pit, driver, before the fire blows out!
Ever try to frame a picture wearing these? For hauling logs, though, these are a must!
Both days have left hubby and I rejoicing for the chance to get outside and get some exercise in the way that only make sense here at Four Cedars Farms -- working around the property. This weekend, we did a bit of lumberjacking, pruning new trees, trimming mature trees that often interfere with lawn work in the summer, and of course, cutting up downed trees, of which there are no shortage around here.
Above, the tools of the trade. Below, just one tangled mess among many to be found here.
To the fire pit, driver, before the fire blows out!
Ever try to frame a picture wearing these? For hauling logs, though, these are a must!
Heading for the fire pit. Tree work is like laundry; it's never really done.
The happy lumberjack. The worst day at the farm is better than the best day at Global, eh?
The happy lumberjack. The worst day at the farm is better than the best day at Global, eh?
Even though the low branches of the Four Cedars nearly decapitate us when we're cutting grass every summer, I won't let my lumberjack near them. No one touches the Cedars, folks!
Finally, look closely at these twigs pruned from one of our oak trees. I see Spring!!
All the bending, lifting, hauling and pulling felt wonderful. There's nothing that recharges the battery and the spirit the way good old fashioned hard labor can.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
