July 2009 for the Morgans

July 25, 2009

July was busy month... both for business, and personally. I'm glad I got to slip back up to Michigan City with the family. It's such a practical place for us and those who know me, know I am *Mr. Practical*.

Serious, I still maintain that the Great Lakes offer just as much beach as any coast. Then, again, I'm more of a snowy mountain guy than a sunny beach :) Still, it's just an awesome 4.5 hour drive from home. I don't even leave Indiana. Many people argue that the Great Lakes have colder water, but to me, it seems insignificant. It may be true, but it's freshwater and the "beach community" we stay in is something out of a Walton's episode. It's like people come here to love one another. Does that sound strange to you? You must feel it to believe it. Find some trip photos below.

The garden is running at approximately 75% and we've been pulling produce from it since we've returned from vacation. We have had our first tomato's and in less then a week, we'll be making salsa and canning so they don't go to waste. I've also harvested all the garlic. See it in the garden photos below.

The banana trees, fruit trees, grapes and berries are all doing well. The peach tree has been a total wuss this year. Had to cure it of peach leaf curl first thing this spring and I had it pumping out the serious foliage since then. However, it seems to have another "leaf dropping" ailment that I'm still diagnosing, but I'm not worried. The goal is just to get a good year of vegetational growth this year. My cherry trees are going nuts. They look text-book healthy.

Well, that's about it. Another update soon. From our family to your, we love you.

July photo albums:

• Michigan City (Northern IN at Southern tip of Lake Michigan)
• July 2009 Garden Update
   

 

Tags: family , vacation

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Michigan City July 2009

July 09, 2009

We took another trip up to Lake Michigan to refuel for 2009. It feels like we gained a week back in our life after this trip. We love the lake because it's not salt water, and the "community" where we stay is awesome. It's perfect for kids and just a short scenic walk to the lake. It feels just like the beach to us. Most of our friends have already heard us ramble about this place last year. We took two trips last year and just did our first one this year. We're already thinking about a possible weekend trip back up later this summer.

Brian Hensley and Jeremy Ostrow rode their bikes up for the day on Sunday to check it out. Since it's only about a 4.5 hour ride up, it was a good trip for them. We fed them dinner and sent them on their way. We're told it was a worthy trip for them.

The rest of the week was good to us. There was plenty of sun and a slightly overcasted day right in the middle of the week so we could take a break from the sun and hit the local scene to check out the outlets.

We really can't wait to go back soon. Since it's relatively close and totally cost-efficient, we echo again that the lakes are to the midwest like the Rockies are to the west.

Tags: vacation

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Grape variety is a major factor for success in Indiana

July 01, 2009

Check out this paper just released from the Purdue Agricultural Extension by Bruce Bordelon. I consult with Bruce... and he actually responds to questions from home-boys like me. I appreciate the efforts of his team and want to echo their efforts to other growers in SE Indiana!

Selecting an appropriate grape variety is a major factor for successful production in Indiana and all parts of the Midwest. There are literally thousands of grape varieties available. Realistically, however, there are only a few dozen that are grown to any extent worldwide, and fewer than 20 make up the bulk of world production.

Consistent production of high quality grapes requires properly matching the variety to the climate of the vineyard site. This publication identifies these climactic factors, and then examines wine grape varieties and table grape varieties. Tables 1, 2, and 3 provide the varieties best adapted for Indiana, their relative cold hardiness and disease susceptibility, and their yield performance at two
test locations in the state.

Grape Varieties for Indiana

by Bruce Bordelon
Purdue Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
www.hort.purdue.edu
All photos by Bruce Bordelon and Steve Somermeyer

 

Tags: grapes , vineyard

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