An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

With pruning over there are still a lot of jobs to do before bud-burst.
The sheep have done a pretty good job of eating down the grass and weeds, but sadly their numbers were also depleted by the wet summer. (Fly strike killed over half the flock). But those that are left look fat and healthy. I'll organise to have them shorn in the next few weeks. I moved the sheep out of the vineyard last weekend as the buds are swelling and I don't want them taking a liking to the new shoots.
After rounding up the sheep, it was time to Round-up the weeds and spray some sulphur on the vines to kill any red mites that might have hidden in the bark over winter.
It was very windy on the Saturday so I couldn't spray the vines. It gave me some time to repair the tractor door, which we had damaged last picking, but needed some straightening and welding. Had tea at the Toolleen pub, caught up with a few of the locals, then home for an early night. Everything was ready for an early start on Sunday. I woke about 5.00am. There was no wind. Hooray.  A cup of coffee and it was out to spray. For the first half hour it was still dark and I relied on some improvised lights to steer me safe through the rows. By 8.25am it was all done. A quick change of clothes and it was off to church.
Roll on bud-burst!