Four Grape Vines and a Plan for Summer Shade

Little Bunches, Big Excitement - Our first grapes are on their way.

There was never much point in us planting wine grapes at Noughts & Crosses.

We live in the Margaret River region, surrounded by boutique vineyards and some truly wonderful wineries. There are plenty of people nearby who are exceptionally good at growing wine grapes and turning them into something special — so learning to make wine wasn't particularly high on our list of farm skills to acquire.

Some things are best left to our talented Margaret River neighbours.

Table grapes, however, were another matter.

We had four patio posts that needed something growing up them and an idea for creating a more naturally comfortable outdoor space.

So, four grape vines went in.

CONCEPT IMAGE - Our vision for the patio — grape vines growing across a simple structure to create natural summer shade while allowing the winter sun through once the leaves fall.

The grapes were chosen not just for their fruit, but because deciduous vines can perform another very useful job around a home.

During summer, when the vines are covered in leaves, the plan is for them to grow across the patio and provide natural shade. When winter arrives and the leaves fall, the sunshine can reach the patio again.

It is a wonderfully simple form of solar-passive design — using a plant to help moderate the seasons rather than relying entirely on a permanent structure.

And, of course, there's the added bonus that our shade is edible.

This spring we've had another little milestone: our first bunches of grapes are forming.

They're still tiny, but seeing those first clusters appear makes the whole idea suddenly feel as though it's working.

There will be no canine taste-testing committee, however. Grapes are toxic to dogs, so Asher and Milly will be keeping well away from the harvest.

Asher listening very carefully to the “grapes are not for dogs” briefing.

If, one day, four vines give us more grapes than we can possibly eat, that's not a problem either. Some can be preserved, some given away, and we're fairly certain the chickens will volunteer enthusiastically for surplus disposal duties.

That's increasingly how we think about what we plant around Noughts & Crosses.

Can it look beautiful?

Can it produce food?

Can it make the property more comfortable?

Can it provide something we can preserve or share?

And, perhaps most importantly, can it earn its place by doing more than one job?

For these four little grape vines, the answer is looking increasingly like yes.

Now we just have to wait for that first taste. 🍇