The US post office would be proud. Hell, the Boy Scouts would be envious and they even sent a squad out to see if we really had the courage to complete the job. We did and it is done. All 405 vines are in their new home with Iowa soil caressing their toes. We were warned how crappy the weather was going to be and I thought I understood how difficult the task was before us. However, I cannot express the torment mother nature threw at us and tested our mettle. We endured and I owe a group of NON-fair weather friends my heart for what they went through.
Allow me to set the stage. It is Saturday morning April 29. In the shed sit three Christmas tree type cartons weighing 78 pounds each and containing over 400 grape vines with an expiration date of today. They left their former home in upstate New York to come to Eastern Iowa. To maintain the integrity of the vine, they needed to be planted and the clock was ticking. At 4:30 AM, my wife and I left the nice, warm bed to give 405 one year old Foche grape vines a bath so they would be ready for placement in their new bed. As we pulled into the lower drive, three deer scattered across the old vineyard and gracefully leapt the trellis. Here we go, mother nature sends her first message as to who is in control. The temperature was 59 and although I could not tell it was overcast due to the darkness, there was no rain. We did the deed and put the vines in eleven 17 gallon tubs of water on the four-wheeler's trailer. We then left them to enjoy their cool, muddy bath alone.
At the scheduled time of the main event, 9 AM CST, the first wave of the support team hit the ground. The Peterson clan with my oldest son and "Mrs. Grit" (Laurie) in tow and they looked ready. The rain had begun to fall and it was now 56 degrees. Then team Pick/Godwin arrived prepared but naive to what they have volunteered for. One by one they came. It was an eclectic group - Marv the boss was there and the Haerther team arrived just as we left the cabin to walk the 1/2 mile to the field. Everyone joked, laughed, chatted. Mother nature drizzled down but the attitudes were "so what".
After a short orientation of the technical aspects of planting a vine, people jumped in. We broke into teams and took on four rows 178 feet long with holes augured every six feet. It was damp, cool, but completely tolerable. In fact I thought for the first time in a few weeks, "we can do this". I heard Dave talking to the vines -- "you will grow up to be big and strong and produce many bunches of grapes". I looked over the next row and saw Jeff and Amy methodically working to ensure it was done right. Rod was doing the heavy work in front of us chopping holes and prepping the new homes. Donna was giving haircuts to each vine. Marv and Laurie had a Monticello bond going and were moving down the row. Julie was the transporter bringing the vines to the planters. It amazed me. These people gave up a Saturday to do this? Are they nuts? I would find out how true that statement was over the next few hours.
Rod carried the heavy work from start to finish
Dave gets some help from Ria the "clay buster"
The rain was steady but light. The temperature in the mid-fifties (and dropping!?!). The wind was picking up but within reason. The work was progressing. People knew their role and played it well. 161 vines were in the ground and we moved on. My wife joined us and learned each job while doing what she does best, make other people feel good about themselves.
Laurie and Marv to form the Monticello connection
Jeff and Amy -- we would rather do it right than fast!
Just a little off the top Donna the Vine Barber
The work continued and we gravitated to having two diggers in front and four planters behind with the extra support of trimmers, transporters, waterers, and bamboo placers. The pace picked up as did the wind and the rain. The boy scout troop showed up, got their training and went to work with Razor Ray on the lead. The did a diligent job and finished a row and went to another volunteer job in another county. With 10 rows completed, we decided it was time for lunch. It was 2:00 PM, we were soaked, muddy, cold, and getting tied. Growly was a good description -- it was time to take a break. After the trudge from the field with 20 pounds of clay and dirt on our feet, hands and clothes we had a beer, a dog, a burger, and a rest. Team Prellwitz from Mt. Pleasant joined us and lead by eagle scout Dan, he and Chris came prepared -- gor-tex and sanitation boots were their dress. We shared a few stories about the morning with them, but little did they know what they drove 125 miles to get themselves into.
Julie is "bamboo"zled
Laurie gets planted, Dave throws dirt on her again!
Row 7 goes in courtesy of the local Boy Scouts
Collectively we decided it was time to tackle the last five rows. It was difficult to re-start the engines but we faced the challenge. In the field, the wind had significantly increased, the soil was stickier and heavier. However, the 135 vines needed to go in. We tackled each hole on our hands and knees in the mud and paste. Everyone knew what they had to do and the jokes and comments kept getting sharper but the planting continued. Rod called out the number of remaining rows at each turn. The wind hit 25-35 MPH. The rain picked up and you felt like your face was being sand blasted. My wife put mud under eyes to emulate the NFL players (this being draft day). The temperature dropped. The test was on. No body's fingers and hands were functioning correctly or at least not following their owners orders. It was all out war between our team and mother nature. She pounded down at us but we survived and were successful. The Burr Oak vineyard is planted.
It is with a great deal of gratitude and new found respect I say to my friends, THANK YOU. You know Kim and I mean it when we say, we could not have done it without you. The vineyard will thrive because it is built on friends, faith, and hard work (not to mention snot!). We underestimated the challenge but I will never under estimated my friends and their commitment. I stand in awe and raise a toast - Vino to you.
Planted in our Sunday best - note the white shoes - Did he work?
Top Ten Sayings Heard in the Vineyard
- These fu**ers better live
- My shoes need dualees
- That is a "big ass" hole!
- VINE!
- Too much chatter, too little work
- No cone in the hole
- I have been bamboozled
- I think its letting up
- I need some augmentation
- Blame it on the church rush
- I hate those woody ticks
- i think we could get in the back 9 before it really gets bad
Rod left his mark
