Monday, April 12, 2010

The Art of the Vine

As you may remember, I planted a Concord grapevine last August.  Notice the difference between then...


...and now, after overwintering and extensive pruning:

Leaves!  Maybe it doesn't look so hot by comparison, but after I whittled the poor sucker down to almost nothing, it's budding like crazy.  Not only does this specimen of Vitis labrusca represent the first thing I've ever planted that didn't immediately turn black and die, it actually appears to be--dare I say it?--thriving.  My once depleted confidence as a gardener is renewed, and this vigorous and healthy growth gives me a newfound faith that I can have similar success raising a child.

The goal is to have grapes before we move out of West Lafayette, or roughly three years from now.

nwb

5 comments:

Spontaneous Writing said...

It is amazing. Well done Nate and yes, practising in the garden witll be helpful for when the baby comes. Nature is a wonderful teacher, it speaks in ways we tap into if we are sensitive and the answers appear and we learn through experience. A great picture! Good luck! I will send you pictures of my own garden advantures.....

Kid Shay said...

The main difference, of course, is that grapes never believe your lies.

BillBow Baggins said...

Tia, Thanks for stopping by! I had no idea you had a blog. Why didn't you tell us?? I'm going to be reading the hell out of it.

Kid Shay, You're right. Grapes are so much smarter than dumb kids.

nwb

Darin said...

I can understand your gardening woes. I tried to plant some sunflowers by our pool when we lived in Cincinnati. I planted, watered, and watched something sprouted. But what came out were tomatoes!?! I'm guessing the birds pulled a seed switcheroo between my neighbor's vegetable garden and my pool decora.

Spontaneous Writing said...

Thanks for checking my blog. I think I did announce the blog to the sisters and sobrina. I am glad you found me! one never knows if any of what I write may be fun for you to read. I sometimes write about some of the action that takes place with part of the family....