68 degrees Fahrenheit for a high, 45 degrees for tonight's low

We may have shaken the Sucker Punch Frost Blues after all. Today I woke up and took a couple of snaps of the day's sky. The weather didn't require that I wear shirtsleeves. Brilliant, as yesterday's matters were so turbulent almost all throughout.

Also, after watering the Cabernet Sauvignon cutting that surprised me yesterday, this morning it appears that development of the bud has advanced. I can actually see the variegation of the leaf that will be arriving on the scene when bud break occurs. I attempted a few photos of what I see today, but my camera is not getting a good focus. The readers will just have to trust me on this one.





And back at the garden in Southeast Logan Square, there is another set of leaves coming out on the first of the Syrah vines to grow this year. Things are looking up. I was also listening to the local news on the television (read that with a Spanish voice in your head, ok.?), and I learned that parts of the area received upwards of 3 1/2 inches of rain when the last storm cluster rolled on through the territories here.

This took me by surprise

Plenty of entries here in the past 48 hours, but all for good reason. The story goes that I have in my office at work a Cabernet Sauvignon cutting that I put into a pot, nearly 9 weeks ago. I have been patient with it, provided water, it is situated in a lovely window sill (that is, the sunlight directs itself onto this pot for a good many afternoon hours). About two weeks ago, an former co-worker stopped by to visit and catch up, he also is an amateur local gardener. I asked him what he thought of the potted cutting and he reported that the buds still looked viable. I have been worried because everything I have planted this year is up against the success of my attempts to grow Syrah cuttings in pots during the spring of 2009, which render astonishing successes. I took Tom's words, his assessment and tried to feel encouraged.

Every once in a while I look at the pot and tell it, "It's okay to grow, Mr. Vine. You need to grow.". Seriously. I did talk to this cutting, just to be silly, in recent weeks. It is probably more hokey and strange more than anything. During my morning rounds, today, of reviewing the plant and putting my finger on the soil to test for estimated moisture levels, I seemed to notice a much larger bud at the base of the cutting than I had remembered from recent weeks. Upon looking closer, there is a greenish hue to the bud. Apparently the fuzzy texture has been pushed away by the green leaves that are coming from within and now there is only one layer of plant material that separates the leaves from protruding outward and being fully exposed to the elements of air, water, heat, and environment, directly. Excellent news.

Today it is warm and I think the plant will respond to the heat. I may well have a photo of bud break within the next 6 days. Until then, here is a photo of what I see today (Thursday May 13, 2010). Again, there is a 30 to 40-year Master Plan that is providing a larger scope. This could well be one of the foundational vines for Conejo Loco Vineyards

Can't avoid the severe weather

This top photo is a shot I borrowed from the following:

National Centers for Environmental Prediction, Hydrometeorological Prediction Center

_______________________________

Check out the weather from yesterday May 12, 2010 (Wednesday). There was a whole string of storms reaching as far northeast as southern Wisconsin/northern Illinois to as far southwest as Texas. I didn't check on how things have been for central Texas this week, but I know the tornadoes have been hitting Oklahoma quite a bit. I am curious how vineyards have held up down in those parts.







A couple of photos regarding the weather of the past 36 hours or so, courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service (NOAA). These photos are simply gorgeous.

The weather right now at 1:14pm on Thursday May 13, 2010 is 71 fahrenheit, with an expected high of 75 degrees. We'll find out soon how warm it gets. The sun is out, here and there. We are expecting more rain today, but not on the order of what Michigan is getting right now according to the map immediately above. This could be the final week of 37 degree temperatures. Chicago may have turned the corner and carried on into summery weather. This doesn't mean that chilly 40's won't be with us, but the 30's might have seen better days.

Yesterday's weather conditions - May 12 2010 Wednesday

In the last entry there was reference to the rains that had hit the area a day prior. Actually, when I published yesterday's article more storms were within earshot of where I was. The result overnight was a prediction of 1inch of rain per hour. When waking up, in the north suburbs, it was clear that heavy rains had descended upon the area. In driving my car to run a few early morning errands there were many noticeable areas where the sewers were backed up from too much water.

For the grapes, as young as they are, I am a bit worried. But we'll see. It could just be those May showers that we always sang about as children.

On another weather related note, the high in southeast Logan Square yesterday was 51 degrees, with a low of 37. The neighbor has more veggies planted than what we have with our Roma Tomatoes. Not sure how things are going with the neighbor's veggies. The cool air has certainly called for long sleeves and a jacket to get through the days. Soon this will all change. Last night, as well, there were some remarkable lightning bolts, flashes of light and thunder booms.

Another update.

May 11 2010 Tuesday photo update of garden

************Big news from the southeast Logan Square garden nook. ***************

I had, about 3 weeks ago, put fresh cuttings of Cabernet Sauvignon grape vine (direct from pruning my parents' vine in St. Louis) in pots to see if they would grow. It was a little of rolling the dice and a whole lotta wishing (8 pots total). After doing so, I put them outside along a fence where it seemed I was placing them in a barren spot. In fact, one pot I put about 4 inches east of a Syrah cutting that I placed in the ground last year. This said Syrah cutting was surrounded by so-called 'Chicken Wire', or more appropriately, Poultry Fencing. There are (2) canines on the property, so I have to protect my investments. Canines will be canines, after all. I can't blame them, but I'll be damned if they they get to my cuttings without an athletic battle of wills.

Regardless, I was last night picking up trash that had been strewn and blown about into our apartment building's territory; it is something that us urban dwelling Chicago-types have to grow accustomed to. In doing so, I noted that, just by chance there appeared to be something growing alongside my Cabernet Sauvignon potted cutting. I felt immediate joy upon determining that it was a small growth with leaves quite similar to the cuttings that are growing in the pots inside my apartment, that is to say I knew instantly it was a grape vine sprout. It didn't make sense to me - it was a growth that was hidden by the pot which was situated on the ground by the fence, AND, it was outside of the poultry fencing (which was used to protect the Syrah cutting that was there in the first place).

You get the point. Upon discovery, the clouds broke open, the choirs sang, a cantata was ringing out in Logan Square. Clenched fists, exclamations, jubilation, bottle of Champagne popped, et al. Another one pulled through the winter. SUCCESS!!!!!!! Let's get to the photos, terrible as they are. (Disclaimer: Again, I am just trying to record successes and to achieve positive growth to garner and gather the experience of growing the vines. The Japanese Beetle will come, I am not even sure if I have enough drainage, maybe even eventual rot, might be a future challenge. But as scrappy as this operation is, and in the face of the strangest of environments and its unlikeliness, this initiative moves on with determination.)


The Garlic is coming along quite nicely. This is courtesy of Rebecca Sometimes.


The almighty Big Bluestem. Looking great.


Mars Seedless grape vine showing healthy growth for its first year in the soil. Beautiful leaves, eh?


Another shot of the Willamette Hops. They are just absolutely crazy and almost nearly caught up to last year's growth. (Remember, it is merely May 11th, 2010 here. Amazing.)


This is my hand underneath a Willamette Hops leaf to provide some perspective.


These are the Roma Tomatoes in the backyard (started inside by my roommate). I predict that by Memorial Day weekend they will have doubled in size. The rains of the past week have been quite incredible and lively. As can be seen in the photos of the soil, there has been plenty of debris spread about as a result of the storms. I walked the grass yesterday in the front and the number of twigs I came across was surely above ten in number.


This is the 1st Syrah that came up this year. What a remarkable leaf. Gorgeous artwork.


Same Syrah, different angle. It gained leaves.


This is one of the returning Clematis vines from last year, it is the 1st to blossom this year. It is quite a marvel.


This is the most robust of the Russian Sage plants. The colours are going to be around for a good 6-8 weeks during this forthcoming summer, once it gets to blooming.


This Russian Sage plant is akin to Scrappy Doo, except we'll call this Scrappy Sage. I had to uproot this particular plant from the other side of the bay window, but it wasn't growing very well, or even at all, for that matter. I actually just kind of took the spade, dug the existing old plant/some roots, and then laid it on top of the soil. I brought it over with its own little patch of soil so as to keep roots intact. Once it went to its new environs, "Voila!". The little scrappy plant began to fight for sunlight.


Joe Pye Weed. Very strong and ready for warmer temps.


White Coneflower coming back after its first winter in the soil in our garden. This batch seems very hardy. It does get quite a bit of sun, perhaps that helps alot. It also gets quite a bit of canine spray, too. Not sure about the benefits of such liquid on White Coneflower.


More Joe Pye Weed out by the street. Very excited about this batch. Everything in this area is growing at a rapid pace. Essentially the plants in front get a water, worms, sunlight, and canine urine kind of diet, sans Miracle Grow. The grass gets the Water, Worms, Sunlight, Canine urine, and Canine dookie kind of diet.



Joe Pye Weed returning after the winter. Photo of the plant behind the barricade. Remember, canines await, they long to crap in the garden.


The second Syrah grape vine to sprout this year. Whammo!!!!!


This is the 'lost' Syrah vine. Terrible photographic documentation, but it is brilliant to realize that this vine pulled through the winter and faced the adversity of being nearly prevented from sprouting by having a pot set upon where it wanted to pop out of the ground. This vine is clearly a fighter. It is a contender, not coulda been. I expect remarkable growth from it and a great summer. It'll go ten rounds. No doubt in my mind now.


Switch Grass growing, growing, and growing.


The two Cabernet Sauvignon grape cuttings. Good growth to report, additional leaves and length from both cuttings. Progress as planned. Delighted, as a result.


Lovely Clematis cutting in a vase. Such a beautiful flower. This reminds me exactly why I love them in the garden.


This is as quotidian as it gets. Clematis from another angle.

---------------------------------

One casualty of the recent weather is that a sprig of Aster broke off from falling tree branches. Nothing major, I just happen to be fond of the colour that Asters bring to the garden. It happens. Just interesting to notice the impact of the weather.

That's all for the week!

May 3 2010 update from the Garden

Spring 2010 in the City of Chicago. Amidst all of the crime and murder lies a vibrant city where all manner of life still thrives and grows and prospers. More updates on the one small, tiny sector of living plants, that I understand to be our garden, tucked away in a corner of Southeast Logan Square.


I think the Honey Bees, the Bumble Bees, and the Butterflies will be pleased with the return of the Joe Pye Weed. I am, too!


Mars Seedless Grape vine


Another sense of how well the returning plants are doing. Asters on the right, Switch Grass in the center, and Astilbe on the left. There are a couple of clusters of the all-green Hosta variety, pretty scientific name, eh? Those Hostas are going to be thinned out really soon. I can't stand how encroaching they are with the other plants.



Second-year Russian Sage coming back after the winter. Beautiful flowers they are. This a 1AM photograph from May 3 2010.


This provides a nice profile of the Syrah Grape vine and its development, laterally. I am a proud parent. This could well be 'the' plant that launches the vineyard in years to come.



Joe Pye Weed.


The Big Bluestem native grass. Lots of growth in just a week. Right behind the grass is a wandering shoot of Willamette Hops.


These are the Willamette Hops vines. This photo is great because the leaves truly pop out. The leaves are enormous, enormous, enormous.


These Willamette Hops vines in the backyard. The photos were taken around 1AM at night after playing a show. But, sometimes a person does what they have to get the photographic update.


This is my only surviving Syrah Grape Vine. Here's to hoping for good things this summer! I just hope this can get established and develop some good hardy vines and a solid root system.


A horrible photo capturing the growth of the Switch Grass as it begins to reach for the sky. I am glad to see this coming around because another patch of Red Fountain Grass didn't make it through the winter. I have been pretty upset about the attrition percentages that I am noticing as Spring 2010 unfolds and it is clearer what is coming back and what is not.

******************News Flash********************

On Friday May 7, 2010 I purchased 5 new vine cuttings. I purchased from Double A Vineyards out of Fredonia, NY. I went ahead and picked up 3 cuttings of LeCrescent and (2) Frontenac. Both are varietals developed by the University of Minnesota specifically crafted to be cold-hardy. In doing some research, I discovered that both varietals have come out of a winter, with a registered low of -33 Fahrenheit, and still produced abundantly the following growing season. Sue Rak from Double A Vineyards was exceptional with any questions, etc. Originally I wanted to go for Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer cuttings, but she cautioned against it. Later, with a bit of research, I discovered that there is an article from the University of Illinois' Extension referencing the Double A Vineyards' website in the footnotes of the PDF article, I think it was an article regarding Seyval Blanc grapes.

May 1 2010 Saturday update from the garden

This is the Mars Seedless Grape vine. I am going to have to begin putting up the stakes pretty soon. I lifted one of the vines from last year and it is a very durable plant. I love this photo because it captures quite nicely the variegation of the leaves. Interesting how they all started pinkish in colour.


Joe Pye Weed in the backyard. This plant really took off this week. I feel like a successful gardener when things like this happen.

Roma Tomatoes. They are soooooooo very much in need of being transplanted. The job just simply doesn't provide much time to do that. Soon enough, though.

A sample of some of my Fava Beans that I have planted with my roommate. I started them in the pot, she watered them and then she graciously planted them in the backyard garden patch. I hope it sends the nitrogen down into the soil!

I couldn't pass this up, it is my beloved Big Bluestem native prairie grass. I have never seen it come out of dormancy until this year, because this will mark my first year of growing Big Bluestem. So far, so cool.


This Cabernet Franc bud is pregnant. Perhaps in about 4 weeks I'll be able to give a good photo of a growing cutting. Fingers crossed.

This is 'The Dynamic Duo': my two early growers from the cluster of Cabernet Sauvignon cuttings that I brought back from my folks' home in St. Louis, MO.

This was the second cutting to sprout this year. Just the update photo, but it has certainly taken off this past few days. My roommate and I were actually wondering if the vine has sent out fruit, the camera couldn't focus to show what could be seen with the eye. Cabernet Sauvignon. There are actually a couple of round plant objects coming off of the new vine, backdropped by the leaf that is covering part of the rim of the flower pot that this thing is situated in. I just wonder what it is because I didn't see anything of the like last year with the Syrah vines that I grew last year.

This is the view from the top of the second cutting. Simply another angle to reveal the growth. Cabernet Sauvignon.

The weather was 80 degrees yesterday. Then the rains came. I didn't get a photo of the Willamette Hops or my Syrah grape vine because the camera memory needed to be dumped. But those will come. We had two days of strong winds (both Thursday and Friday). In reviewing the garden I noticed that probably my most robust Willamette Hops vine was broken at the top, more than likely because it still had not gotten to a fence wire or other object in order to grow and wrap itself around. It was just out there hanging around in the frontier until the strong wind made its presence known.