Summer kicks in

With the temperatures slowly rising to the early 30's the water usage of the plants with young leafes rises rapidly. This means the water usage grows dramatically and the stress on the new irrigation system rise.
As with most Mondays even those well planned there always turns something out not fitting altogether. A leak here, fertilizer tanks not fitted and worker not turning up after the 'all pay' weekend. All of this contributes to something called 'Blue Monday'. Now what went right. My peaches were sprayed for the necessary insectocides, disease cures and micro element additions. My apricots are getting the same treatment to make sure the smaller harvest provides better quality fruit. Some of my vineyards started to but and I also sprayed them with contact pesticides and a small bit of micro element additions.
The new plantings really keeping me busy and out of the cleaning the orchards / vineyards, I decided to put the old 'skottel ploeg' to work. More mechanics at work less spraying.
The new plantings will come to a halt tomorrow with the finishing of the Indraai block of Colombard. The poles at the Chenin blanc block will also be finished tomorrow and we then can begin with the Colombard. With rain being predicted for Saturday till Monday - about an inch altogether - I want to get most of these things as near as possible to finish. So expect a big forest of poles in the valley. The fertigations systems also being launched this week make this an very eventful and busy week. Hold thumbs everything goes according to plan.


The house of straw project is postponed to October this year. So this make it a big chance of still getting involved in the more sustainable housing projects. Please do contact Selma. The presenters is really good and well informed on other issues concerning the greener lifestyle. Certainly not something to be missed.

The church 'dankseggings basaar' is also this weekend at the station. A definate for most of the Calitzdorpers. Come get good produce at farm prices and support the local church. The Church building will be 100 years old this 17 of December 2010 for those who is counting.