Roses n Grape Leaves

Pic I took of my old rose plant flowering through the grape vines I had planted.



Another shot from the other side of the fence. Tiger lilies and grape vines! I miss those plants. I spent a lot of time pruning those grape vines. I had concord (white) and some type of red grapes. I had bought the plants when they were about one foot tall - they were on clearance at some greenhouse. The vines took about five years to cover the entire fence and grow over the gate like you see in the picture. The vines took a lot of time, careful watering, sunshine, patience, and pruning.

The only downside to the grape plants was when the grapes were ripe, a lot of raccoons, possums, skunks, and things like were attracted to my yard to come and feast during the night time. Those animals could make it kind of nerve racking to step out the back door at night. I never knew if something would be back there.

The grapes tasted pretty good though. It was cool to be able to step outside, grab a bunch of fresh grapes, and snack on them. Basically like all-you-can-eat grapes. Each grape vine probably had about 20 pounds of fruit each year.

BTW don't diss on my gate, I got it at a yard sale...just a shitty garden gate I picked up for a few bucks and put up on a fence post.



Here's a shot of the same gate after a really nasty storm destroyed it around Christmas of 08'. You can also see the lattice fencing I custom built for my grape vines. Its a winter shot so all the leaves had fallen off the grapes.



Here's a shot I took when I had first planted the grape plants and was building the fence (summer of 03'). You can see how small the grape vines were at the time. I think I paid $5 a piece for them.



Here's a shot after the fence was completed and the vines were climbing (circa summer 04')


This is a shot the year that vines had matured (2007), and were beginning to produce grapes. You can also see my little herb garden in the little raised brick flowerbed (sage, green onions, chives, basil, and some other shit). The marigolds were there to help repel pests. Supposedly some pests hate marigolds...so they're a good natural way to keep them away from your plants. Even if it doesn't really work, who cares, they look nice.