The Coachella Valley grape crop is nearly ready for harvest, or is it? We've gone from unseasonably high daytime temperatures to recent below-normal temps. These below-normal temps are not helping the table grape crop. I stopped by some of the vineyards a couple of weeks ago and took these photos. Unfortunately, since then, our temps have dropped 20 degrees during the daytime! ACK! The Desert Sun ran an article today saying that the grapes need warm days to set their sugar. And, unlike many other crops, they do NOT ripen after they've been picked...they have to be picked at the peak of their perfection. So, growers here are holding their breath and hoping for warmer weather, which is forecast for this weekend. Nature Notes for May 19, 2011. To see other Nature Notes, please go to: http://ramblingwoods.com/
5 comments:
You took some wonderful shots of the grape vineyards. Very interesting post.
I learned something new! I didn't know grapes had to be picked at the height of perfection and that they would not ripen after being picked.
You too? It has been in the 40's for a week but now in the 60's. The farmers here are under water..Awful weather. I hope it gets warm and the grapes are sweet...Michelle
I didn't realize grapes were so fussy. I hope you get the weather you need for them.
Great info and post. I learned something new too from your post on the grapes. I hope everythig works out for the farmers.
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