Much of this was trial and error, sweat and sunburns; all in all, using our 2020 methods helped knock back the Rose Chafers enough so that we can actually have a crop of grapes this year.
Category: Vineyard
Mass Trapping of Rose Chafers on Washington Island, WI
The last few years have been very trying for many gardeners on Washington Island due to massive numbers of rose chafers. We have been researching methods of organic and biological control at Gathering Ground, methods that go beyond the standard conventional controls, such as the use of carbaryl based pesticides (read more about this group … Continue reading Mass Trapping of Rose Chafers on Washington Island, WI
Winter is for planning and reflecting on the land at Gathering Ground
By Russell Rolffs. This article first appeared in the The Washington Island Observer. Winter evenings are best spent sitting near the stove and dreaming of what to plant in the spring. The same is true for us at Gathering Ground. Our vision is to develop the grounds into an extensive network of orchards and gardens … Continue reading Winter is for planning and reflecting on the land at Gathering Ground
2019 in the vineyard
It was a year of challenges in the vineyard. The grapes had a hard time ripening due to the cold spring, and the lack of heat and sunlight made for grapes that were low in sugars and high in acid. Nevertheless, we harvested 500 pounds late October (after all the leaves on the vines had … Continue reading 2019 in the vineyard
Vineyard: Update 2019
Our goal is to grow grapes using low environmental impact management. Success with organic management starts with variety selection, and so, in 2019 we began transitioning our vineyard to a new variety of grape by grafting a variety of grapes called Itasca onto our existing vines. Itasca is highly disease resistant and makes Chardonnay quality … Continue reading Vineyard: Update 2019
Gathering Ground looking at solutions to destructive beetles
This article first appeared in the Washington Island Observer. By Sheridan Ash, Gathering Ground intern. 2019 marks the second year that Gathering Ground is tending the vineyard on the Island. Because the organization’s mission is to educate youth and adults in sustainable agriculture and to strengthen the health of the environment and community, Gathering Ground … Continue reading Gathering Ground looking at solutions to destructive beetles
Planning Ahead for the Rose Chafer
First published in the Observer By Russell Rolffs, Gathering Ground executive director Recently I saw a sign at the entrance of a garden that read: “If nothing is eating your plants, your garden is not part of the ecosystem.” The message to gardeners, I think, is to be proud when your plants are preyed upon … Continue reading Planning Ahead for the Rose Chafer
Dinner in the Vineyard! Sept 1!
Join us for Dinner in the Vineyard, Saturday Sept 1! We are exciting to be hosting some of the top local chefs. The evening will include a cocktail hour with passed appetizers and libations from local breweries and wineries. A vineyard tour will be followed by a big table, family-style meal featuring fresh, local ingredients prepared … Continue reading Dinner in the Vineyard! Sept 1!
Meet our Intern Lucy!
I’m Lucille Theodora Little, sophomore UW-Milwaukee student in Environmental Science and Geography. I am an avid fan of nature, data science, and cheese. There are many things I’m looking to learn in the future--language, cheesemaking, beekeeping, gardening, programming, painting, mapmaking, biology, ecology, cultural geography, and more. Certainly, this is quite a few things, and … Continue reading Meet our Intern Lucy!
Gathering Ground kicks off a new season with Earth Day work parties; farmers markets, potlucks and more coming
This article was originally published in the Washington Island Observer Gathering Ground, a nonprofit dedicated to the education, celebration and practice of regenerative agriculture, is now in its second year on Washington Island. The season got off to a late start; with the April blizzard, GatheringGround had to postpone the Earth Day pruning and planting party until … Continue reading Gathering Ground kicks off a new season with Earth Day work parties; farmers markets, potlucks and more coming
