Amending the soil

Fish organic granules ready to be spread

Dear Friends,

Snow has now slowly turned into "gold" water which has gently drained our soils. Before life starts to resume, it is once in a while important to amend the ground. Of course, this has to be made carefully in order to respect its balances and the main purpose of this is develop microbial life underneath the soil in order to make our vine roots happy. For this, I will use 3 ways : Horse manure, fish organic compost and the biodynamic 500.

      
    Your servitor dynamising 500             Horse manure provided by Jackie's horse club
 
 As incredible as it can be for Monsanto fans, developing life is better than killing it, especially when you want to produce grapes and wines that reflect their "terroir".

Later, it will be time to plow in order to bring oxygen to the soil which will permit this life development...

  

In between, I will be spending two weeks all around the States, pouring our wines and meeting with our dear readers. The following page is regularly updated with the events definitely set and where you are very welcome to attend. What is also totally set are the dates so even if there is no event yet where you are, you can already mark the date on your calendar.
I have many things to tell you and some exciting news to unveil so I look forward to seeing you.

Cheers,

Jean-Marc
Domaine Rouge-Bleu

Comments

[Pat Cargill]

After reading the article on Bio-dynamic 500, I am curious: do you stir the mix clockwise/counterclockwise for an hour? Do you apply the spray on a specific date, or at a time related to the lunar cycle (as mentioned in the article - they sprayed at night under a full moon!)?

Ma grand-mere planted each spring according to the Farmer's Almanac which gives specific planting dates for different areas of the U.S.-- and never fertilized with chemicals, ever! She collected buckets full of kitchen scraps that hung on her back porch and then would dig this organic matter into her gardens. Her green beans,tomatos and corn were so delicous. Good for you for using the bio-dynamic tradition in the cultivation of your wines. I applaud you and appreciate your respect for "La Maman Terre"! She is in great need of all the love she can get. Trois cheers!

[Jean-Marc Espinasse]

Dear Pat,

As much as my agenda and weather conditions allow it, I try to apply the 500 on a root day.
But when you have, like me, 6 hats to wear, it is not only so obvious. And that is part of the reason I can't (and I dont want) apply for a certification. I want to be a free man doing whathe thinks is the best for his vines.
See you in DC.

[Jennifer in OR]

"Amending the soil" made me think of "amending the soul," another growing place that needs careful attention. Both are the place where life happens, and where what goes in is what comes out. Good work on the farm!