The photo above shows representative samples of flowering shoots from the four main varieties of blueberries we grow.  We placed the cuttings in water and positioned them on a high, warm shelf in the farm office.  After several days the warmth and moisture will force the fruit buds to swell as if the plant is breaking dormancy.  The swollen buds are then bisected with a razor blade and examined through a lens.  A brown center indicates damage and winter kill from extreme low temperatures and intermittent thaws.  Blueberries are quite hardy and we don't anticipate major losses, but with the temperatures finally mellowing this week it is time to take a look.  Many area grape and peach growers have already documented significant losses.

tunnels become visible.  For a short period of time after the snow melts completely, the voles' regularly used paths through the grass look like machine made grooves.  Many people see these grooves in their yards and mistakenly believe they are the result of mole activity but moles are totally subterranean animals.  With a healthy predator population and cultural farming methods designed to reduce vole habitat in the areas we cultivate we are able manage the population without the use of toxic rodenticides.