WINE/WINE GRAPES QUESTION
When do you prune your grape vines? We prune ours in the early spring,
before bud growth. Should we also be pruning them in the summer since
they seem to grow too long and end up growing on the ground.
thanks Bob Howe
Mt. Sinai, NY
ANSWER
Thank you for your question on vine pruning. At Pindar Vineyards, we start pruning on or about December 1st of each year. We typically start with the variety that is picked first (Cayuga and Seyval). The reason for this is that we want the vines to have ample time to harden off and go completely dormant. The last group to be pruned is the Cabernet Sauvignon, and that typically happens in late February.
Pruining your grape vines in early Spring is fine. This is even better for the vines because by early spring you will see which shoots have survived the winter and which have died off. When you are finished pruning, make sure you rake and remove any of the dead leaves and fruit below the vines. Many vine diseases such as Powdery Mildew will stay over the winter on dead leaf matter.
Feel free to trim the vines back during the summer. We trim the top growth off in late June. A vine is a vine and it will keep wanting to grow and climb up the trellis. Just give the vine a light trimming and this can be done during June and July. This will allow the vine to put more energy into sizing and maturing the fruit.
Thanks!
Pindar Damianos, Pindar Vineyard
GENERAL VEGETABLE GARDENING QUESTION
I have been trying to find out what types of garden vegetables are native to Long Island? I have tried looking through the Cornell Cooperative website, but have had no success. Thank you.
Lauren
West Islip, NY
ANSWER
My understanding of the earliest LI crops were: corn, beans, lavender, sage, thyme, rosemary, and pumpkins. I remember my Grandfather maintaining a first settlers garden as part of our 200 year celebration on the farm. All those things were in it. Tobacco was added by the first settlers almost immediately as well so he planted some of that as well. I hope that helps.
Prudence Heston Wickham
GENERAL VEGETABLE GARDENING QUESTION: CARROTS
I bought a bunch of carrots with their tops on that looked good. The store waters them, and sometimes I may not notice their true condition. But the tops certainly looked healthy.
When I got them home and wiped them dry, I saw LOTS of "hairs" or strings. Normally, I see some, but these were extremely hairy. What causes the "hairs"? What causes an excessive amount? I wonder if they were old and I should have passed them by?
ANSWER: In plants root hairs firms the plant in the soil firmly. It gives it strength and a source of minerals and water through osmosis. Was it a large carrot ? If so, it probably had more time to grow more root hairs. Just peel the carrot and enjoy!
Debbie Schmitt, Schmitts Farmstand on Sound, Riverhead
FARMERS MARKET/FARMSTAND QUESTION
I am employed at ------ located in Hauppaugue, NY. We have launched an employee wellness program this year and are interested in brining local fruits and vegetables into the workplace. It is late in the season to become a farmer's market location, but I was wondering if we would be able to get a local farm to setup a stand once a week at our location.
ANSWER: While we represent farmers and their businesses and we promote "grown on Long Island", we do not carry out business transactions pertaining to produce or grow produce. So if you are interested in having a farm or a farm market at your location of business or in your town, you best opportunity is to call farmers directly. You can find a list of farmstands on our website under FIND A FARMSTAND in the menu above.