| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Bee Haven Maven |
Posted - Sep 02 2008 : 04:19:53 AM
From stomping the grapes! No, just kidding. Actually we have finally had our first grape harvest since planting vines 1 1/2 years ago. This weekend I picked a quart of Concord grapes. I know it doesn't sound like much, but that little quart was packed with more taste and aroma than any other bunch of grapes I have ever had! I put them through our juicer and made 8 ounces of the most luscious grape juice ever.
Hubs and I built a grape arbor that covers our picnic table by the barn. We planted 6 vines on each side with the hopes that they will eventually grow to cover the entire arbor...making an outdoor room with a ceiling of grape clusters! We even thought it would make a great place for our kiddos to get married some day!
Our dream is starting to take shape. The vines have grown as tall as the sides and this year have clusters of grapes.
Funny, though only the Concords produced. We also planted Niagra and Mars varieties. Hmmmmmm....will have to see what happens in the future. Any of you have any experience with these varieties??
Visit my blog at: www.sewonandsewfourth.blogspot.com
Visit our farm at: www.beehavenacres.blogspot.com
Aprons for sale at: www.apronmaven.blogspot.com |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| katmom |
Posted - Sep 06 2008 : 3:10:17 PM
ok, so I just found the markers for my grapes, I have "Himrods-white seedless" grapes, I planted this year so I suspect I might get a few small bunches of grapes next year as these 2 vines are looking awesome!
hugz
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
mjf#72
Sisters on the Fly#472
www.katmom4.blogspot.com
|
| Huckelberrywine |
Posted - Sep 06 2008 : 07:52:42 AM
I'm a thinking there's going to be some events this fall, Rene', where we will just get together and do some tasting and giggling. :)
We make a difference. http://huckleberrywine.blogspot.com |
| katmom |
Posted - Sep 05 2008 : 7:46:26 PM
Hey Bev,
as a teen, I would spend my summers at my uncle's farm, actually it was called a ranch...Uncle George grows grapes for raisins and is 2nd generation, my cousins are 3rd generation raisin farmers/ranchers. Anyways, our job was to gleen after the migrant workers, we had to look for any missed grape clusters, cut them and add them to the trays. It was dirty hot work and the wasps were relentless. But somehow we still managed to have fun, we'd gleen a row and then run down to the irrigation Canal & jump in for a refreshing swim in the cold water. Somehow it didn't seem like work tho I don't think I could do it now, to back breaking.
Bev dear, I see a gajillion jars of grape jelly & grape juice in your future. Don't forget to prune and remember grape leaves like to stay dry, water from underneath.
hugz
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
mjf#72
Sisters on the Fly#472
www.katmom4.blogspot.com
|
| Bee Haven Maven |
Posted - Sep 02 2008 : 11:23:09 AM
Thanks Rene for the encouragement. I am so happy with the progress that the vines have made this year. And, yes, we took great care to keep them watered both last summer and this summer.
Visit my blog at: www.sewonandsewfourth.blogspot.com
Visit our farm at: www.beehavenacres.blogspot.com
Aprons for sale at: www.apronmaven.blogspot.com |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Sep 02 2008 : 09:25:41 AM
Concords are great, yummy grapes. We used to have a huge arbor and I made so much grape jelly/jam and grape juice that even today the kids don't care much for that variety. Over kill, I guess. MB
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| ruralfarmgirl |
Posted - Sep 02 2008 : 08:36:48 AM
Bev,
Sounds like yours are about like mine~ We are at the 3 year mark with 8 different vines (and a arbor), and we had alot of grapes this year~ but minimal at the 1 1/2 mark.. Most of mine are table grapes (as we live in Washington Wine country ~ and great wine is everywhere...Although I cannot wait to try some Huckleberrywine :)
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
"Despite the gardener's best intentions, Nature will improvise. ~Michael P. Garafalo
|
| Huckelberrywine |
Posted - Sep 02 2008 : 08:23:47 AM
I don't know what varieties I planted last year (they were a gift), but mine didn't make it. My own fault for not watering them enough. Anywho...I have had wine from Niagara grapes, and it is one of my favorites! I hope you have much more success than I did. I'll just have to try again in a few years when we get the house built at the farm...too hard to tend a garden from 6 miles away. It is encouraging news that your vines are producing already!
We make a difference. http://huckleberrywine.blogspot.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Sep 02 2008 : 06:27:36 AM
Bev- Perhaps the other varieties mature more slowly so the vines were not old enough to produce this year?
Your arbor sounds beautiful! I wonder how many grapes you will get next year!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
