enigma wrote:

"Paul E. Lehmann" wrote
in

:

enigma wrote:
nice size! what types of grapes do you have?

I grow Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet
Sauvignon.

not a fan of merlot. i do like the cabernets. i
had a pinot noir when i moved here, but it got
strangled by the faster growing concords... so i
ripped out all the grapes.
i'd like to replant & a vintner just bought the
house across
from us for a summer house, so i'll be picking
his brains first. i think i can supply the
translation from CA to NH growing conditions.


There will be a BIG transition from CA to NH.
Cabernet Franc is fairly cold hardy. There are
also new hybrids for cold climate that have been
developed such as Frontenac. I suggest you talk
to the nearest growers to you or your agriculture
extension agent or one in New York State -
perhaps someone at Cornell.


have you tried one of those sprinklers with a
motion sensor? lee

Have not tried that. Do they work?

i'd have to say i think it depends a lot on the
local racoon population. for the most part, i'd
suspect it would work for a few weeks,
especially if you move it around a bit. racoons
do *think* and they will start to ignore
something not completely random.
they work pretty good on deer, but deer are not
very smart.

I have not had a problem with them until this
year. I have been trapping and releasing
ground hogs this year and now that they seem to
be gone
the racoons are moving in. I also have
occasional problems with deer but I have only
seen them once this year - in early March.

is it dry in your area? or has it been a
particularly lush year? either one might cause
racoons to be in areas they would normally
avoid.

It has been a semi draught year - very good for
wine grapes.


or you may have a new neighbor that doesn't
secure his
garbage & they've moved in because of an easy
food source... lee