August 2024

We actually managed to eat alfresco during August on several occasions with friends who live in Mallorca.  They love England in August as Mallorca is blooming hot and full of tourists.

Weather report: the last 2 weeks of July and first two weeks of August were unusually warm and dry.  This is the month for canopy management, keeping the vines from shooting upwards and outwards.  Each week we spray with teas to keep the downy mildew in check: in particular compost tea, and horsetail, trying to add micro and macro nutrients to counter disease.

We discover a good meteorological source at Reading University’s Department of Meteorology which provides first class weather data: www.met.reading.ac.uk. Yet, it is long range forecasting that we badly need, and do not get.

Mid-month we invite Doru’s gang in to carry out leaf stripping from around the bunches on the sunny side.  In a cool climate it is essential that the bunches have as much sunshine as possible – particularly in a year like this. In hotter climes the vignerons will do the opposite and shade the bunches with leaves to avoid scorching.

24 August, the heavens burst with 20ml of water in 8 hours.  The weather looks very unsettled once again. Help!

Balloon spotted over the barn roof early in the morning enjoying a clear sky. What a view they must have!