A few years ago, a friend gave me a few grape vines from his vineyard. I had just put an arbor in the front garden as a backdrop for wedding ceremonies that we host. I was undecided about what to plant on it, but Joe gave me a Malbec vine and a Cabernet Franc vine. The Malbec vine made it through the first summer but not the winter. Apparently, larger-leaved varietals can struggle in Kansas. The Cabernet Franc vine, however, has been growing strong; and this year, for the first time, it has produced grapes. I don’t have any plans to try wine-making, but it is awfully fun to see the fruit coming along. A good addition to the garden!

Wishing you a lovely first day of summer!