J. Stephen Casscles, author of Grapes of the Hudson Valley, will lead a discussion on how to establish a vineyard in your backyard on Nov. 11, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Grow grapes for fresh consumption, jellies and preserves, or for making wine. The class will explore: location of the vineyard, soil types best for a vineyard and how to amend soil, growing conditions needed, and grape varieties that can be easily grown. The class will also look into establishing a trellis system, pruning, and how to manage disease and damage from both fungus and wildlife. These same concepts for a home vineyard can be applied to those who one day would like to establish a small commercial vineyard. There will be lots of time for questions and answers. There will also be some discussion on New England heritage grape varieties that can be planted in your new vineyard.   

At the end of our class, copies of his book Grapes of the Hudson Valley and Other Cool Climate Regions of the US and Canada, will be available for sale with the author's signature.