Second spraying

What I did:
     Gave a second round of late dormant sulfur spray

Comments:
     It was a nice, warm upper 60 degree day.  I gave a thorough second coating of lime sulfur spray, with about 2/3 the strength of my original spray.  I sprayed heavily on the ground under the vines of the older plants as well, since I saw a number of dried mummies and rachises around them.  I need to spend an hour or so raking and removing as much of that as I can.  It will have to wait until May, however, since we will be gone for awhile. Some of the grapes are showing swollen buds, others nothing yet.  The Cayuga whites, one year old, are looking healthy and should all bud out.
Two days ago I watered the newly planted Frontenac Gris, with acid fertilizer.   We've been lucky to have several  very pleasant spring days in a row.  This is Iowa--that won't last.

Planting time

What I did:
     Planted the vines, added sulfur to increase pH
   
Comments:
     We got our 3 vines of Frontenac Gris the other day, then had to leave town so I left them in the shipping bag, then put them in some water yesterday afternoon after we returned home and planted them this afternoon.  The bareroot plants look healthy.   I was impressed with the description of these vines, so I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do.  Sounds like they are easy to prune and make interesting wines that, according to the University of Minnesota, present "aromas of peach and apricot with hints of enticing citrus and tropical fruits...unique and complex flavors make this an excellent grape for table, dessert and ice wines." http://www.grapes.umn.edu/gris/index.htmlrUnique and complex flavors make this an excellent grape for table, dessert, and ice wines.
I know the white fence is not your traditional  setup for the vines, but I will run extra posts along it and wire for the vines.  If I can figure out a better location for the fence, I'll move it and put in the usual post arrangement.
I also added some sulfur to try to lower the pH a bit in this row.  I'll test the soil again after the next rain, which could be tonight.

Round-up

What I did:
     I did an application of Roundup today.

Comments:
     No buds of any kind showing yet, only on the black currants.  So I decided to do an application of roundup, since it was mostly sunny though cool (low sixties).  I had to stop about 3/4 of the way through, though, as I became aware of bees all over the grass.  It has been really dry here, and we had a little sprinkle overnight and the bees are desperate for any moisture.  They were tonguing the mud under the vines.  I hope they were not hurt by my spraying.  I stopped until later in the afternoon, when the bees were no longer on the grass.  They were certainly out and about, though.
     I also tied up a few loose ends and noted several that I need to go back and trim a bit better.  Seems like I always miss some shoots the first time through.