2008 Harvest

copyright Coastal Gardening Society 2011

My first and only harvest so far. The grapevine is it's own worst enemy. It puts up lots of large leaves, which means fewer grapes. The leaves keep the sun off the grapes and too many leaves = mildew. I've got grapes but I've said that before.. If you want to try pinot noir yourself ( I'm noticing other vines popping up nearby) don't feed the monster. Once established, it doesn't need watering at all. The vine needs pruning every year and tidying up besides to keep it in check. It does provide dappled shade, the colours in Autumn are fantastic and in spring you can blanch the leaves you prune off  straight away and make your own dolmades which won't taste of brine :) Any woody prunings can be saved for a charcoal BBQ or as kindling wood for an autumnal fire.

Coalbrookedale style table, Argos.