Question From: Minooka, Illinois, United States
Q: I have Concord grapes vines that have been fruitful for years. Last year they all shriveled up & died. I attributed that to our heavy rainy season. The tomatoes didn't do well last year either. I was not able to prune last fall due to family issues. This year they looked great full clusters of grapes until about a week ago. Now they are all drying up & falling off. I have a chicken run under the arbor. It is their path from the coop to the yard. They do not stay under the arbor it is just a pass through. Could the chickens be doing this. I do not use any insecticides or chemicals. I am a organic gardener. Please help
A: Raw chicken manure can be caustic and is never recommended for use on plants. I would find another pathway to the chicken coop. I also recommend you get the book The Grape Grower: A Guide to Organic Viticulture: Lon J. Rombough . Get your soil tested to find out what conditions the grapes are currently growing in. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy
