EVERETT, Wash. – Hands-on workshops about establishment and seasonal management of vineyards in western Washington will be offered in spring, summer and fall in and near Bow, Wash., by Washington State University Snohomish County Extension.
Cost per workshop is $40-$45 or $100 for all three. To register online, visit http://VineyardCare.BrownPaperTickets.com or download the form from http://snohomish.wsu.edu/vineyardcare and mail with a check. For more information, contact Kate Halstead, 425-357-6024 or khalstead@wsu.edu.
All workshops start at the Allen Fire Station, 9061 Avon Allen Rd., Bow, with a lecture and discussion. Participants then will drive to a nearby vineyard for practice and hands-on work guided by expert viticulturist Gary Moulton. Dress for the weather. Bring pruners, gloves and a lunch. Drinks will be provided.
The workshops are:
Spring Vineyard Management, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, March 14: Basics of dormant season vineyard care, pruning, training, estimating bud numbers needed for a balanced vine, nutrient management, setting up an irrigation system, pest management and weed control.
Summer Vineyard Management, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, July 18: Principles of canopy and crop load management, how to manipulate shoots to maximize quality, use of micronutrient sprays to enhance yield and quality and a netting machine demonstration.
Harvest/Fall Vineyard Management, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19: Determining harvest timing, taking brix measurements, soil testing, variety selection and reviewing next year’s list of chores.
Instructor Gary Moulton started in 1980 in fruit horticulture at the WSU Mount Vernon research center and later led the program. When budget cuts eliminated the tree fruit program in western Washington, he continued his work as a private consultant and workshop speaker.
He holds a master’s degree from WSU in plant pathology, specializing in fruit diseases, and a bachelor’s degree in pomology/fruit science from Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo. He has authored several WSU Extension publications, taught workshops at the University of Washington Center for Urban Horticulture and has been a guest expert on the nationally syndicated television program “Gardening with Ed Hume.”
Contact:
Kate Halstead, WSU Snohomish County Extension, 360-794-6081, khalstead@wsu.edu