The Grapes They Are A-Changing

     As this picture shows, the Chambourcin grapes have finally changed from green to purple.  They are almost 3 weeks behind last year's grapes.  Of course last year was not exactly a normal year either with 27 days over 90 degrees and a spring that started the shoots 2 weeks early.  Many growers lost their first buds in the late frost the second week of May but we were fortunate enough to escape with almost no damage.  This year we have had a very cool and wet spring and summer.  There have only been 14 days over 90 degrees and that is 10 below the average.  It is difficult to say if this year or last year are closer to normal because of the two extremes.  Hopefully we will enjoy a long warm, dry Indian Summer and no frost until mid November.  As long as we get moderate rain and reasonable warmth, I think our grapes will mature nicely.