Yes folks, I finally planted my remaining grape vines! However, I did a lot more work than just throwing in a few cuttings.
This weekend, we went from this mess,
and this mess. What an eyesore.
Then slowly transformed it into a bit of this, (landscaping with pebbles)
and some of this, (a succulent garden for Kim)
and finally this.
Here is the completed project. I now have four grape vines, just starting to bud at the base of each post. Hopefully each one will grow like crazy and I can train them up the post and up to the wires then along the arbour
I have a sultana for eating and drying, a ruby seedless for eating and preserving, and two Merlot vines for making wine. Two vines because the berries and bunches of this grape are very small.
I know that it will be a few years before I even get anything that looks like a grape, but that gives me time to learn how to make wine! I can start with fruit wines and work myself up to the real deal.
Thankfully all finished in time for Sustainable House Day next Sunday. Only 7 days to go and we are excited!
It was a great way to spend fathers day and all the kids either helped, called or popped around for a visit. What more could a Dad ask for.
Looks nice! This post made me realize something: you always seem to choose one small area, or one job and get it right before moving on. And yet, bit by bit it all adds up. I need to focus on that more. I have a tendency to have so many ideas that my energies get scattered willy-nilly and nothing ever seems to be done properly.
I’m just amazed at how much you’ve accomplished and you constantly find ways to improve and refine. Very inspirational!
You have no idea how much I’d love to see the place on Sustainable House Day. Alas, it’d be quite a trip from New York. 🙁
Hi Kathy,
Yes, I am quite focused when it comes to completing each task. Kim and I are fond of lists when it comes to breaking down big jobs into easy, bite sized ones. We finish one, then move on to the next. I do the same with gardening as well.
I too wish you could come along, it would be great to meet more readers
Gav x
Take a look at my blog to see our grapes….I’m in Greece so the vines have already fruited. Yours sound very tasty, ours are for eating and wine-making.
Take care
Jude
Hey Jude! I had a look, and you grape vines are massive! Why do you dust with sulphur? I know that sulphur helps to dry fruit out, is that why your hubby was performing that ritual?
Gav
They are huge aren’t they??
Sulphur is supposed to keep some mite away….but we shall not be doing it again..that was last year and the grapes didn’t come to anything,,,this year we didn’t dust ..and just look at them!
Jude
We have just planted some old vines and we are hoping they take off again. Greg and Sophie (from Simple Lives.com.au) were our special visitors this weekend and I did a post on it . Such beautiful people , Gavin, thanks for inspiring me to ask them to stay after their visit at your house.
Hi Kim. I saw your vines on your blog. Looks good so far, hope they take off. Greg and Sophie are great people, who are on an amazing journey, and so glad you got to meet them in person.
Gav x