A grape day to this wonderful community! Im excited to share to you how our home vineyard brings a lot of everyday wonderful vibes to us.
We have a mini-garden in our front yard where we grow grapes. The garden is covered with UV plastic that serves as roof and green house, attached to small angle bars and metal poles. Found inside are nine mature grapevines planted in rows: three vines on the center, three on the left and three on the right. These vines include two grapes varieties: Baikunor and Bravissimo. The grapevine leaves and its cooling shade also add charm to our front-yard scenery.
At first, my husband was very hesitant to plant grapes in our garden, afraid that we will only fail because we have no idea how to take care of them and we were told that the seasons and unpredictable weather here are not suitable for grapes. Yet, with mix of hesitation and stubbornness, we took the risk (haha).
We started the process by propagating or rooting the grape cuttings. When small roots are already growing, we then transferred the rooted cuttings into the concrete box in the greenhouse to let them grow freely.
I thought at first that grapes will only grow in cold places but I learned that they are sun-lovers. During summer, the vines grow well as they receive abundant sunlight. Flowers began to blossom and tiny clusters of its berries start to peek through. Each time I see those tiny bunches, I am very happy counting each of them, as those clusters promise something good is coming and watching each berry grow brings me happiness. Eventually, the bunches start to change color, from bright green to reddish which is called as Veraison stage.
When the grapes clusters have grown heavy, their color will tell us that they are now ready for picking (dark red for Baikunor and black for Bravissimo). But this is also the time that little enemies will swarm up north - ants’ march, birds’ ambush, molds in the air - all locked in their target. So, to protect the bunches, we cover each of them with screen. Every morning, we check the screen covers to make sure they are still intact and doing their job (haha).
To spread the happy vibes of picking grapes, I and my husband then invite our relatives and close friends to have a picnic under the grapevine canopy. With their playful teasing, laughter and comforting presence under our mini vineyard are moments I don’t want to miss.
We also share the grapes bunch to our neighbors for free and sometimes to people who just pass by our house asking permission if they can have pictures with the grapes. Their smiles after tasting the grapes are all we need.
Our mini vineyard yields fruits twice a year and those twice moments always give me something to look forward to, happiness that doubles when shared with people. We’re planning to add different varieties soon. Do you know other grape varieties to recommend that are easy to grow? Whatever the result may be, I’m sure every bunch will give us another set of pure bliss.
And I’m always grapeful for this! 🩷
(P.S. Photos are mine and originally owned, shots personally taken from our garden using my iPhone 14 Pro; Lead photo is edited in Canva for collage finish)