[Rain, Rain, Go Away…
Luther Lazaro
Comparing our situation to the rest of the country puts us in a weird spot. On a national scale, we frankly have a pretty terrible spot to farm, complete with constant wind, chance of frost during ten months of the year, high elevation, and a propensity for excess of water at inconvenient times of the growing season. It should be terrible, right?
The weather is changing and getting more swingy between extremes, with more violence at either end of the spectrum. Wet spells are wetter, and dry spells dryer. That gentle southern wind that wafted along warm air to our fields twenty years ago has morphed into terrifying air-borne freight train that devastates at least ten percent of our crops each year (we hate south wind days!). The jet stream gets stuck, with lousy weather parked in place for weeks at a time, and training storms keep hitting the same towns with boatloads of rain, while their neighbors suffer in drought.
This spring nationally shows that farmers in all regions need to become more prepared to hedge against the long spells of increasingly uncertain and extreme weather that can become parked over us. Our national food supply is built on softer areas of the country having decent enough weather to fill the grocery shelves, and as a country and an industry, we need to start proactively figuring out how we are going to keep refrigerators full when the global weather systems stop cooperating.
When we were contemplating the lifestyle change from corporate America to farm life, one appealing aspects was knowing we would be faced daily with our total dependence upon the Lord - unable to put our trust in a paycheck. That sounds really good doesn't it? But it is harder than you might think!
With our underground drip irrigation system, we gladly forego rain because hail frequently accompanies it. In addition to hail, prolonged rain and humidity encourages the growth of molds and fungus. Powdery mildew is one such villain - it works on the grapes weakening the skins and if left unchecked can even kill vines. The thinning of the grape skins could be a real problem with all the rain we have had since the grapes are swelling with all the water. So far, they are still looking good. Here is the Montepulciano:
When the grapes swell with the water from all the rain, the sugar content of the grapes is diluted. You might remember me explaining the pH and Brix testing that we do - these are tools used to determine the ripeness of the grapes, besides our mouths! Ripening is delayed with the dilution of the sugar and the lack of sunshine. Our normally bright sun has been in hiding the last couple of weeks!
We need the sun shining to help ripen the grapes and the heat (temperatures above 90 F) to kill the molds and mildews. We can't do anything about the ripening but, to help curtail the mildew growth, we have had to spray Pristine. If you look carefully at the photo below (my chief hoe-hand otherwise know as John), you can see the white mist being sprayed behind the tractor and hovering over the vines.
Pristine is a chemical used to combat powdery mildew that can be sprayed 2 weeks before harvest and since we are 3 - 4 weeks away from harvesting, that is no problem. John contacted all the wineries that are contracted to receive the Montepulciano and Aglianico grapes beforehand so they would know the challenges we are facing.
I'm no Gene Kelly, singing and dancing in the rain, but I do like shooting in the rain. The world looks different when wet and with a little awareness and creativity, the inclement weather can provide outstanding photo possibilities. I like how light reflects off of wet surfaces and often shoot in ways to use color and light to enhance a scene. Sure, you have to be careful with your gear when it's raining and be particularly aware of raindrops on your lens, but simple precautions and a clean, dry cloth are all you need unless it's a downpour. Like the cold weather I talked about last month, most people don't like to go out in the rain; if you get out there and explore you'll be ahead of the game from the get go!
It seems like everyone is a photographer these day, but there's a lot more to the craft of photography than taking selfies. Scroll through the posts or use the search buttons below and let me know what you like or what you'd like to learn about.
These were just some of my answers to the many comments I got hiking the Mist Trail in on a very rainy spring day while wearing a skirt fashioned out of a garbage bag. Or, as my good friend Theresa would call it, a rain kilt.
Knowing the forecast for the long weekend, which was pretty much rain nearly all day every day, you would think that I came prepared. And, I did to some extent. I had my rain pants, but they are best for standing in the rain, not climbing stone step after stone step and working up a sweat.
Rain, rain go away. Those were my exact thoughts as I arrived at the wedding venue for Nicole & Bobby. They had been planning their outdoor wedding and reception for months. The venue was on the shores of Casco Bay, yards away from the Atlantic Ocean. Every weekend prior to their wedding had been sun-filled with no sign of rain, but not this day.
The raindrops started slowly and the beautiful couple was able to have their outdoor wedding ceremony. A few small sprinkles fell onto their guests but none of them felt a thing. They were all mesmerized by the thoughtful and beautiful vows the couple exchanged along with the vocals of Victoria, the sister of the bride.
Just over the hill, the vendors were all in full swing preparing the tent for the guests: the band testing their sound, the caterer putting the final touches on the gorgeous charcuterie board, and me checking on every last thing. Everything was ready to go, except for the rain.
Mother Nature had other ideas and she let loose. The heavens opened up and the temperature dropped. My thoughts went to umbrellas (check), warm wraps for the guests (check), an extra hair dryer in the restroom (check). The guests streamed into the tent. The laughter was louder than the pounding rain, champagne corks were popping, the music floated through the glowing wonderland that had taken on the warmth of the love that was pulsing throughout the tent. The bride and groom were beaming and not letting any rain damper their party.
The rain became challenging at times but newlyweds and their guests had no idea I was prepared for all the little details. The evening was incredible. The toasts had the guests roaring with laughter and shedding tears of joy and remembrance. The band was raucous. The dance floor was packed and the rain continued.
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