Connolly Park

This gem of a park is half a mile from Cayuse. It used to belong to the Air Force. The locals still call it "Airmens Beach." When the city acquired it, the feds made them agree they would maintain it nicely by spending a certain amount of money every year. So while other parks are wilting in the budget crisis, Moses Lake continues to pour money into improving Connolly Park.

The most recent improvments: New wading beaches, a nice new entry drive, and hydroseeding the hillside. Lush.

Cayuse Moses Lake Spring Sunset

Cayuse Wildflowers

Pablo Wields the Weed-Eater

Spring tasks include getting the irrigation system going, weeding, and planting some replacements for vines that did not survive the last two winters.

I planted a few Riesling vines this year just as an experiment. Want to see how they do compared to the Chardonnay and Cab Franc.

We haven't done any spraying in the vineyard this year, and I don't think we will. It's not that I'm big on all the "organic" stuff but I think the vines might do better without chemicals around. So we hand-weeded the plant wells, we'll keep the rows clean with hand and hoe, and weed-eater the aisles as usual.

Spring Start-up

It's spring and everything is popping in the vineyard.

Temperature got down to -15 just before Thanksgiving. Did a lot of damage all over the state, and not just in grapes. Like many others, I waited until bud swell before pruning. Didn't want to inadvertently cut away any buds that did survive the winter. Now (late April) I can see where the dieback ends and the live buds begin, and I can prune with more confidence.

The Cab Franc on the southwest slope did best. There are plenty of live buds well up the canes.

The Chardonnay on the west end of the vineyard did poorly. 90% of those had to be cut back nearly to the ground. However, they have good root systems and will send up new shoots this summer that should be trainable onto the wire.

In general, although there was extensive bud damage, I am pleased at how healthy the canes are.

Bottom line is we have to use all available cold-weather defenses: late (double) pruning, multiple trunks, laying canes down in the winter. Can't take any shortcuts. It's labor intensive, but there's no getting around it if we want to have a successful vineyard.

For All You Bicyclists Out There

Trails Planning Team helps develop bike and foot paths around the Moses Lake area. Check out the article here

Moses Lake Makes Forbes List

Forbes Magazine names Moses Lake 8th fastest-growing small town in America. Article