SEGMENT: CROPS

Edward Russell>ISM Walk & Talk Interviews>Russell, Edward, Section 2

SEGMENT: CROPS,

duration 09:10
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VINEYARD
FARMING METHODS
The vines are planted on a hill which helps with air flow and good drainage. This is helps with subsoil drainage and frost. The more air a plant gets, the less disease and therefore less fungicide and less cost.
SPRAYING HERBICIDE
Mr. Russell explains you alternate between four and five herbicides to stop immunities from forming. You have to be aware of drift to avoid affecting other plants and farms. You have to be aware of the problems. Spraying is probably the most important job at a vineyard.
SOIL
You have a soil test once a year and determine the defeciencies. You use about 100 pounds an acre of nitrogen to restore carbohydrates every year. If you do not revitalize the soil then you can kill the crop.
FARMING METHODS
If you overcrop the vines then they will die. Bigger vines are not better. Cutting, pruning, thinning the vines to about forty to sixty clusters is ideal. If you have too much then the vine will die after a couple of years.