Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 29 Entries. Monday, April 18 View Page New location and a new patch for 2016. Just a little behind this spring. Only six to eight inches of topsoil than hard compacted rocks and gravel. Oh yes than there are the stumps. I used a stump grinder on six that I saw. Now find buried treasures like this little gem. Only took me 3 hours to extract him. Starting seeds in incubator today.   Thursday, April 21 View Page went in with another grower for 26 yards of purple cow compost. I am sure the sample their rep brought to the wisconsin growers meeting in march did not have all the wood chips in it like this.   Thursday, April 21 View Page Ten yards of purple cow added so far with maybe 4 more yards to be added. I talked to the purple cow rep about all the wood chips in the compost. He says its tested for carbon to nitrogen ratio and as long as that's ok its all good. I asked why the sample he brought to the club meeting last month didn't have any chips. He says that was the higher priced blend that he brought (not the cheap, only 26$ a yard stuff we bought) Using paper towel method in egg incubator. Two 1475's germed in 28 hrs. and now broke thru ground in 72. Meanwhile 1985 and 2145 are at 72 hours with no signs of germing.   Sunday, April 24 View Page Trouble with my top choices not germinating. 2145 and 1985 both FTG. Second 1985 now in incubator.   Monday, April 25 View Page Ammended with just Sulphur and Borax so far. Wondering whats the best way to make calcium available.   Wednesday, May 4 View Page Wasn't going to put in heating cables. Little harder doing it with the cloche already up.   Wednesday, May 4 View Page I like to organize my electrical outside the cloche in a bucket with lid on.   Wednesday, May 4 View Page We moved a hunting tower yesterday. Lowered it onto back of PU bed first than when in position we strategically placed straps (taken from a lifting harness) which allowed the truck to pull it up.   Wednesday, May 4 View Page Final adjustments done manually.   Sunday, May 8 View Page 2034 Barlow on left 1985 Miller on right. pic is taken on May 5th the day they got planted. The 1985 was a club root. Hoping it will get going. Also double planted the 1475 Gorichanaz next to the 2017 Martin.   Sunday, June 5 View Page Nothing to see here folks. No idea why my plants have been growing so painfully slow. No making up lost ground, just going to ride it out and see what happens. Culled the backups yesterday. 2034 Barlow in foreground and 1475 Gorichanaz in background.   Sunday, June 26 View Page Pollinated the 2034 with the 1475 this morning at 9.5 ft on main. Next female on main still about a week til pol. Will have one to pollinate on the main of the 1475 in the AM. Just picked up some 1625 Gantner pollinaters.   Monday, July 4 View Page Think your patch is big? How about this one. Fifty Atlantic Giant plants. It's where I go for pollinators. I call it the pollen super store!   Wednesday, July 6 View Page Pollinated the 2034 x 1475 Tuesday the 5th at about 16 ft. out. Will pollinate the 1475 tomorrow.   Tuesday, July 19 View Page Patch overview with 1475 in foreground and 2034 in background.   Tuesday, July 19 View Page Here is the 2034 DAP 15 with 45" CC.   Tuesday, July 19 View Page Here is the 1475 5 DAP at 22 ft. Pollinated by the 2034. First set was too short and second set aborted.   Sunday, July 24 View Page 1475 DAP 10 with 33" CC.   Sunday, July 24 View Page 2034 DAP 20 CC 75 EE 53 SS 57 for 185". Pretty sure this is my best for dap 20.   Wednesday, July 27 View Page I was a day early on the 2034 measurements. The actual DAP 20 numbers are CC 81 SS 55 EE 61 for OTT 197   Friday, July 29 View Page 2034 DAP 24 now 237" OTT. 1475 with 59" CC on day 15.   Monday, August 1 View Page I don't have one of those fancy irrigation systems with injectors and such. So need a way to deliver drenches without using overhead watering or walking between rows. So after some consideration I picked up some 1 1/2' PVC at local Menards. (total cost 15$).   Monday, August 1 View Page Drilled some holes on the end caps. I used caps that thread on so I can easily unscrew them for cleaning out when the 1/8" holes get clogged.   Monday, August 1 View Page No problem delivering water etc. Right to the vines while staying on edge of patch. I have a ten ft. length and another five to add on for longer vines. No need to glue the joints as it is not under pressure and they fit snug. I just pour the drench down the pipe or stick the hose end into it.   Monday, August 1 View Page The "Donco Drencher"   Wednesday, August 3 View Page 1475 DAP 20 194"   Thursday, August 4 View Page 2034 DAP 30. CC 117 EE 78 SS 85 OTT 280 est. 493 lbs.   Sunday, August 14 View Page 2034 DAP 40. OTT 324. Averaging a disappointing 25# a day for past 10 days. 1475 DAP 31 with 268 OTT.   Sunday, August 28 View Page My niece Lexi . She loves the patch. Cried every time I tried to take her out. Small enough to walk under leaves and pull weeds. And light enough that she don't compact the soil!