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September 7, 2007

Water conservation, pumpkins and those heavenly concord grapes

Because of the drought conditions, we've been in maximum water conservation mode at home, so I keep a bucket near the sink into which I can conveniently toss water leftover from rinsing things, half-full water bottles, our rabbit's water bottle, the dehumidifier, etc. We don't waste a drop as we have a shallow well. Two brooks flanking our home are both dry for only the second time in 22 years. We're not watering the garden or flower beds with water from the hose at all. We spread grass seed about two weeks ago and can't keep it watered adequately so it's just sitting there. I expect the rain, when it finally arrives, will come in buckets and wash it all away. Then we'll rake it out and do it all over again.

Yesterday morning, I went out to the garden with my big bucket of water, figuring I'd give it to the remaining tomato plants, but then I saw the pumpkin vine. My neighbor gave me a little pumpkin plant in a cup in late June which I planted -- and put out of my mind.

It had spread so vigorously, even without pampering or fertilizing, that it encircled a large portion of the garden, as if hovering, over the knee-high weeds. I couldn't see where it started, or even remember where I had actually planted it. Eventually I found the base, watered it and at the same time saw this fruit. There was also a big oval green one that looked more like a pumpkin than this one does.

A surprise in the garden at this time of year is so welcome when, if you're anything like me, you've given up on the vegetable garden for whatever reason. Finding good fruit when you're pulling up plants is so nice. Until yesterday, I had forgotten that my potatoes are still underground!

Tomorrow morning, I'll be heading up the street to pick a basket of concord grapes from my neighbor's yard. He called me last weekend to say he has more than he's ever had. In the woods, you know when they're ready because if there's even the slightest breeze, you're stopped in your tracks by a strong grape scent in the air. So this weekend, I'll be spending some time squeezing grapes and making grape jam (yes, with the skins -- people are generally surprised when I say that). Words can't describe the stuff. More on that next week...

Posted by Beth Heaney at 7:52 AM | Permalink

Comments

Cool pumpkin :-)

I have a volunteer grape vine, concord I assume, which I have let grow starting this year. I am wondering when I might get grapes? Do they take a few years to establish themselves? I wasn't planning on pruning it, although I know "real" grape vines have some complex pruning scenario. My Dad used to find concord grapes in the nearby (formerly) wild areas, and I'm sure no one was pruning those vines.

karen anne | September 7, 2007 2:47 PM link

What an amazing living creature to find in the grass. The color is intense.

Sheila Lennon | September 8, 2007 1:43 AM link

Our neighbor has the vines growing all over the low stone wall that fronts his property here in Exeter and he invited us up to help ourselves. I'd never actually been right up to it because it's private, but it covers the wall like mesh, having been left to grow there year after year. At the end of the season last year, I noticed that they had sort of shaved it, like with a hedge trimmer or something and this year, perhaps for that reason or maybe just due to the dry weather (grapes are hurt by mold, I think), there was an abundance of grapes. I've honestly never seen anything like it. Bunches next to bunches falling off in my hands. My husband and I picked 29 pounds in just under 45 minutes. I'll post again on Monday with the jam recipe. Just to comment on what you wrote, I usually get my concord grapes out on the edge of the woods. It's much harder that way because they are not right at hand level like these were. They usually grow on vines that have climbed a tree and you really have to work to get them.

Beth Heaney | September 9, 2007 12:30 AM link

September 7, 2007

Water conservation, pumpkins and those heavenly concord grapes

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