Our New Vineyard! 5 Powerful Tips We Tried
Testing Organic, Drought-Resistant Solutions
Starting a vineyard is no small task, but I’m here to show you exactly how we’re making it work here at Barndovilla. I’m Ryan Harden, your host at Backroad Reviews, and in today’s blog, I’m going to give you a firsthand look at our vineyard test, along with some crucial lessons learned from setting up this project. You can watch my accompanying video over at Backroad Reviews for a more detailed walkthrough, where I cover everything from trellis setup to soil amendments and how to fend off deer (yes, those darn deer).
We embarked on this journey with the goal of growing organic grapes for both personal use and potential winemaking. I knew it was going to be a challenging process, especially with our unique soil conditions and the local wildlife. But with some persistence, a lot of learning, and careful planning, we’re on our way to a successful first-year vineyard test.
Table of Contents
Trellis Setup and Vineyard Layout
Let’s jump right into the setup. Our vineyard trellises are running north to south, which is ideal for optimal sunlight exposure. The key here is airflow, and that’s why we spaced the vines roughly four feet apart. Some folks might recommend tighter spacing, but we wanted to ensure ample airflow, especially since we’re located in a high-humidity area. I’m using this first test line to figure out what works best in terms of vine spacing and airflow before we expand the vineyard further.
As far as the soil goes, our land has a heavy clay base, and while it doesn’t hold water in extreme weather conditions, it’s still important to mitigate the risk of root rot. For that, we’re using a blend of native soil and organic additives like biochar, rock minerals, and gypsum, along with Pro-Mix to enhance microbial life. This mix helps the vines get the nutrients they need without getting waterlogged. Pro-Mix is especially great because it contains vermiculite and mycorrhizae fungi, which encourage healthy root development and nutrient uptake.
Managing Soil and Moisture for Healthy Vines
One of the biggest concerns when starting a vineyard in an area like ours is maintaining the right soil moisture level. To keep things balanced, we’re implementing the “Back to Eden” gardening technique. This involves laying down wood chips to retain moisture while breaking down over time to enrich the soil.
This method not only ensures the soil stays rich but also protects the roots from getting too soggy during heavy rains. We’re layering the wood chips in a lasagna style to provide both insulation and a slow breakdown process that feeds the vines.
Each vine is surrounded by a healthy amount of mulch, and even though it might look like overkill, this amount of mulch is essential for water retention. In the long run, the mulch will settle, and the soil will become rich and black, making it perfect for sustained vine growth. This method has worked wonders for our blueberries, so I’m confident it will work here, too.
Dealing with Wildlife – The Deer Dilemma
We ran into a big problem with deer, which any vineyard owner will tell you can be a nightmare. The deer absolutely decimated the last two vines I planted, which was beyond frustrating. Not only did they pull up the roots, but they also ate through a significant portion of our chaos garden and elderberries.
To combat this, we installed a high-line electric fence powered by a solar fence charger. It’s been a game changer. You can check out my full review of this product in the video linked above. Keeping the deer out was the first step, but we’ve also started working on a more permanent fencing solution that we’ll be featuring in an upcoming video on Backroad Reviews. Fencing is crucial when starting a vineyard, and I can’t stress enough how much it helped us recover from the initial damage.
https://backroadreviews.com/solar-fence-charger
Soil Amendments and Nutrient Balance
When it comes to nurturing vines, one of the most important aspects is getting the right balance of nutrients into the soil. We amended the clay-heavy native soil with trace minerals, biochar, gypsum, and worm castings. These amendments ensure that the vines get the major nutrients they need, like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as trace minerals essential for long-term vineyard health.
One key trick we’ve been using is vermiculture – that’s right, worms! I’ve added over a thousand worms into the soil around the vines, and they’re doing an amazing job breaking down the wood chips and enriching the soil. Between the rock minerals and worm activity, the soil is constantly breaking down and becoming more nutrient-rich.
We’re careful not to overdo it, though. Too many amendments can cause root burn, which is something we’re monitoring closely. I’ve found that a slow, steady approach to soil improvement is best, especially in these early stages of vineyard development.
Growing Organic Grapes for a Healthier Future
One of the reasons we chose to grow grapes organically is that we consume a lot of grapes as a family – probably a pound or two each week. But beyond that, we wanted to avoid the harmful chemicals and pesticides often used in commercial vineyards. While organic wine is available, there’s something incredibly rewarding about growing and making your own organic products.
The grapes aren’t the only thing we’re looking to produce organically. We’re also planning to expand into beekeeping next spring, which will allow us to start producing honey and possibly even venture into making our own mead. Growing everything organically aligns with our values here at Barndovilla, and we’re excited to share this journey with you.
Future Plans for the Vineyard
This first test row is just the beginning. Once we’ve fine-tuned the spacing, soil composition, and watering system, we’re planning to expand the vineyard to cover a larger portion of the property. It’s going to take time, but with the lessons we’re learning from this initial setup, I’m confident we’ll get there.
We’re also considering purchasing a second property to fully dedicate to vineyard farming, but that’s further down the road. For now, we’re taking it one step at a time and sharing every part of the journey with you.
https://barndovilla.com/category/gardening