My vineyard, okay, grapevine
So it’s not exactly a vineyard yet, but I have high hopes, but not for wine. I’ll leave winemaking up to the good folks at Prairie Berry and Stone Faces Wineries. Nope, I’m shooting for jelly.
When I lived in Newell, my next-door neighbors gave me jelly from their Concord vines that covered their propane tank. It was the grapiest, purpliest, best grape jelly I have ever eaten, hands down. After another 40 years of practice, I might be in Bert and Eleanor’s class of gardener (maybe), so I doubt that I can reproduce their efforts, but I’m at least hoping to improve upon store-bought jelly.
Since this is my first vine, I doubt I’ll make jelly this year, but I figured I’d never have jelly if I didn’t plant grapes. I chose a Valiant grape because it’s hardy up to Zone 3, which should help it survive the winter at our elevation. If this one lives, I’ll add more vines next year. Now I watch and wait, and dream of jelly.
