Grape growers looking for rain in 2012

After three years of drought (2007-09) and two wet years (2010-11) — this year is shaping up to be another very dry year. There were two decent rains that somewhat recharged the soil profile, unfortunately they occurred as the 2011 harvest was wrapping up. Those were followed by one rain in November and a shower in December, which provided much of the fall rainfall total (about 45 percent of average). January did not add much more and a good number of vineyards received winter irrigation.
The total rainfall total for the months of October, November and December ended up at 3 inches for the north county and 1.7 inches for the south county. Not since 1976-77 has it been this dry, especially as December was the third driest on record. Dry conditions look to continue and irrigation is probably a good investment right now. Grapes are a low-demand crop for water and nitrogen, compared to most other fruits and nuts, but extremely dry conditions can affect the strength and uniformity of bud push in addition to negatively affecting the final development phases of this year’s fruit buds.
With that in mind, even if you put on a good solid irrigation of 24 to 36 hours or more last month, it would not hurt to put another 24 hours or so, depending on your emitter spacing, size of the emitters, soil type and variety/rootstock. Although this won’t recharge deep soil profiles, we still have a ways to go before the “rainy” season ends and things can turn around very fast. So it’s easy enough to apply some more water at or after bud break, if the drought continues.
Checking out the irrigation system is neither a bad idea nor a waste of time. Checking out the soil profile with an auger or even just a little digging with a shovel may help confirm how well the winter rains and irrigation may have managed your soil profile. Overall it seems there is decent moisture in the top 2 or 3 feet in most vineyards, but that is about it.
Even though January was close to average in total rainfall, seasonal totals are falling behind again. As of the first week in February the north county is at 6.1 inches (44 percent of historical average to date) and the south county is just at 3.2 total inches (approximately 37 percent). Last year at this time there was a total of 13.5 inches of rain in the Lodi area.
The curious weather pattern this winter (besides extreme dryness) is that most daytime maximum temperatures have been slightly above average, while most night time minimums have been well below average; giving the area a summer-like days with winter-like nights.
http://westernfarmpress.com/grapes/grape-growers-looking-rain-2012
Small and medium businesses in Clark Philippines have a lot of interesting and unique products and services to offer but very few outside of Clark Freeport including potential customers in nearby Pampanga Angeles City, Subic, San Fernando and Manila ever hear about them. Market obscurity has led to slow growth in businesses inside Clark Freeport Zone and this is not being rectified as a new public service web site has been created to allow Clark locators to promote their services and products without any charge. Clark Pampanga is a fast growing city and businesses in Manila are making their move to either expand into or relocate to Clark Philippines.

The ClarkPhilippines.com web site is a community service web site dedicated to helping small businesses operating in Clark Freeport, Angeles City and vicinities like Subic and other cities in Pampanga or Tarlac even, to promote their products and services through internet visibility. There is no charge to these services.

Aside from products and services, news releases and product announcements can also be posted free of charge on ClarkPhilippines.com web site.

Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occasion

You might want to check also the Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.

Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occasions. Looking for a restaurant in Clark for a Business meeting? Or a place to eat with friends? Yats Restaurant offers exclusive dinner venue for groups, a good place to celebrate special occasions, it can be a party venue in town. Yats Restaurant is a recommended restaurant for private dinner in Philippines, a well-recognized restaurant that serves good food and good wines for dinner.

Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila.

Looking for interesting hotels near Manila Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga?
Trouble free hotels and well recognized hotels in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga
Clearwater Resort and Country Club offers a good place to stay in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga. In offers nice place to have rest in Subic Pampanga outside Manila.
One of the Philippines top hotels in north Luzon.

This web site contains articles and information that will be helpful to visitors, residents and tourists traveling out of town from Manila on a short getaway to Subic, Angeles City, Pampanga and Clark Philippines. There are several web sites that contain information that might also be pertinent to what is happening in North Luzon, Subic, Tarlac, Pampanga, Clark Freeport Philippines.
Looking for a party venue in town?
Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the ideal venues for birthday party because it is a risk free venue. Not only Birthday Parties but also a good place to enjoy family reunion. A good place to celebrate special occasions. Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the resorts in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga or near Manila with activity amenities, place that are nice for celebration.

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

Yats International Leisure Philippines

For assistance with lodgings, accommodations, hotels and resorts near Manila in Subic, Pampanga, Angels City and Clark Philippines log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com