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Table of Contents
1) Editor's Comments:Here in the Upper Midwest grapes are beginning to ripen. This got us to thinking that grapes might be a good topic for this issue. For those who already grow grapes, we've included a quick propagation tip further down in the issue. Of course, we've also included other useful information. As always, if you do have questions, suggestions or ideas, do not hesitate to drop us a note. Rex Gregor Tom Krueger 2) Grape Growing In Minnesota and the Upper Midwest:
Unfortunately, the severe winters in the Upper Midwest sometimes damage even the hardiest of grapevines. The challenge to grape growers in this region has been to find grape varieties that can be grown within the limits imposed by the climate. The French-American Hybrids were developed many years ago in France by crossing premium wine grape varieties, like Chardonnay and Gamay Beaujolais, with American wild species. The best of these hybrids combines the wine quality of fine wine grapes with the disease resistance and early ripening of our native wild grapes. However, the French Hybrids lacked the winter hardiness of the Upper Midwest varieties. For over 50 years, Wisconsin horticulturalist Elmer Swenson has worked at breeding new and improved grape varieties especially those adapted to the rigors of the climate. Several varieties have recently been patented and released to cold-climate grape- growers. The University of Minnesota has had a grape-breeding program since 1993. Several cultivars are now available for table grapes and wine making. In the past, grapes were only cultivated in home vineyards, but in the past decade more and more commercial operations have begun. In 1995 the University of Minnesota Horticultural Center released a very cold hardy variety, "Frontenac," a patented variety that grows very well in the very cold harsh climate of the Upper Midwest. This has opened the gates for both home gardeners and commercial growers. "The Great River Vineyard" in Minnesota specializes in cold hardy grape vines. You can visit Barb & John Marshall at http://www.greatrivervineyard.com
Click the Image for our Rockwell Gallery
3) Humor for Today:With the help of a fertility specialist, a 65 year old woman has a baby. All her relatives come to visit and meet the newest member of their family. When they ask to see the baby, the 65 year old mother says, "Not yet!" A little later they ask to see the baby again. Again the mother says, "Not yet!" Finally they ask, "When can we see the baby?" And the mother says, "When the baby cries!" "Why do we have to wait until the baby cries?" The 65 year old mother says, "Because I forgot where I put it!" 4) Another Fall Tomato Tip:
5) Consumer Education:As a consumer we all make major purchases; we then try to maintain and nurture those products to extend their life. But it is difficult to know about possible problems with those products. Well, as an Internet user, you have an excellent source for this information. It is the Consumer Product Safety Commission web site. Here you'll find a vast array of useful information. Check it out today and be sure to visit it occasionally in the future. http://www.cpsc.gov/ [ table of contents ] The Last Supper by Leonard Da Vinci. He was one of the
great Masters. His paintings influenced the course of Art history for
centuries. 6) Quotes for Today:"There is one thing more exasperating than a spouse who can cook
and won't, and that's a spouse who can't cook and will." "Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so? There's a support
group for that. It's called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar." 7) Quick Propagation of Grapevines:
Take 8-inch sections of vine being sure to cut just above and below a node. Bury two-thirds of the section's length in well- drained soil or sand. You do want to protect it from the winter cold by covering the exposed third with a mound of sand until the spring. You can then transplant the cuttings next fall. 8) When to Pick Cantaloupe:
You first need to take a close look at the fruit. Has the background of the stem beneath the webbing turned tan? When the green fades, you're getting close. Second, let your nose give you a hand in picking, rather than vice versa (sorry, I couldn't resist). A ripe muskmelon tends to release a rich melon-y scent. And finally, press the base of the stem with your thumb. If the melon slips off easily, you're in for a tasty treat. 9) Subscribe/UnsubscribeThis newsletter, the Green Thumb Times, is sent out only to those who have requested a FREE subscription by signing up at http://rexseedco.com or specifically asked to be added PRIVACY: Your email address is held in the strictest of privacy. It is never traded or sold to anyone else. To subscribe to The Green Thumb Times To unsubscribe Rex Gregor, Editor Tom Krueger, Publisher Please feel free to forward The Green Thumb Times to a friend. Rex’s Seedco has searched the world for quality
growers of garden seeds. Many of these farmers bring together ancient
wisdom and modern science so people everywhere may have good health
and enjoyment in life. We are dedicated to providing the best wherever
they are found.
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Did
you know that Minneapolis, Minnesota lies at the same latitude as the
Bordeaux region of France. Also, the summers in Minnesota are well-suited
to grape vines - sunny, warm, and with ample rainfall. It also has an
abundance of good vineyard sites with rolling hills and bluffs along
rivers and lakes.
For
some in colder climates this might be a little late, but for others
it can be quite timely. About three weeks before the first frost you'll
want to remove all the flowers and any fruits that haven't reached about
a quarter of their mature size. Those little fruits will not have time
to mature before the season is over. This way the needed nutrients will
sent to the more developed fruit and not to those that haven't a chance
of every maturing.
The
age old question about cantaloupe (muskmelon) is when are they ready
to harvest. With watermelon it is easier because you just give it a
good thump and if you receive a hollow sound, the watermelon is ripe.
It doesn't work that way with cantaloupe.