Bundles of Deliciousness

Last year (or so) I bought two grape vines because I got sucked into Home Depot's promise that these vines grow in the high desert/mountains. One of them died soon after planting (probably from shock of being stuck in such harsh conditions), so all my hopes of grapey goodness have been pinned on this one little vine.

During the growing season last spring, it did well enough. It proved that it can, indeed, survive in our backyard. It eventually spread out a little, then winter came and I pruned it back.

Last spring, the tiny grape vine survived.

This growing season started much like the previous season. Vines started reaching out as I beat back weeds and promised my little grape vine that I would provide something for it to climb on.

Then I noticed these little bud clusters. I initially thought these were clumps of aphids. (I've been struggling keeping the aphids off my roses this year.) Resisting the urge to stomp the life out of them and run away, I bent close and realized that these may very well be the beginnings of grapes. My expectations were low of their survival, but it was still exciting to see these forming.

Then the buds flowered, fertilized, and began forming fruit. Unbelievable!

Once the clusters reached the pea-sized stage, I was sure they would dry up and fall off, but the fruit continued to swell.

There are around eleven clusters on the vine now. They all have a long way to go before they're ready for picking, but I can't help but be excited.

I finally wrangled together some materials to build a shifty arbor. It's not much, but it does the job of allowing the vines to cling to something and get the fruit off the ground.