The Progress Outside…The Grapevine
The main mission around the property during the summer of 2010 was a big clear out. The home had been vacant for several years, and everywhere you looked there was overgrowth and items that were either useless or in a severe state of disrepair. However, one of the delights the property bestowed upon us was a grapevine, and since we had not had the experience of caring for one before, it became important to us to preserve it. Our plan of action at first had been to observe and learn for a season. But the vine was sparse and faded, and the arbor which had done its duty of supporting it over the years was now a mixture of old pipe and decaying wood. The time was fast approaching when the arbor would be unable to do the job and would need replacement. We decided that some problems required immediate attention, but the entire project was going to take a few years. The urgent as well as the long range issues in the preservation effort triggered us to set a schedule for what steps would come next in an extended plan.
The grapevine was in the vicinity of the front pasture and tennis court. The front pasture was the smallest of the 3 on the property and adjacent to it was a sight of extensive growth around what was once a tennis court. A 12’ chain link fence covered with dense trees and weeds separated this area from the front pasture. The high powered lights on telephone poles were still in place, but not operational. These issues did not stop the vision to turn this area into a ring and incorporate it with the existing front pasture.
We cleared out a lot of brush from the entire property over the summer and fall. Keeping an eye on the grapevine, the fall season of 2010 showed no big harvest of grapes, but a few did emerge allowing us to give name to the type of grapes showing their faces. Normally, when you think of grapes you envision tight clusters; but these little gems were hanging somewhat independently of each other and matured into what are called muscadine grapes. These large, thick-skinned, seeded grapes grow in small, loose clusters and are often harvested as individual berries. They can be bronze or black in color and ours are a deep, dark red appearing almost black. Soon our first winter on the farm was upon us. Grapevines will lie dormant in the winter and during this season is when it should be pruned. We took the next two winters to trim it back, each time in the month of December.
The spring of 2011 took us back outside to finish the new fence lines and the new arbor for the grapevine. Even after the massive clean up the previous fall and winter, there were still a lot of tree stumps and old fence to remove before we could continue with setting a new fence. But when the pathway was cleared, the new lumber for the fence and arbor was delivered and construction was underway. Soon, this project became known as "Phase One". We changed the fence layout integrating the two areas of front pasture and tennis court, allowing a larger open area for the horses. This enlarged area had three sides of new fence. The horses were quite pleased with their new pasture. Removal of the asphalt, the construction of a new ring and the light renovations are projects for another time. Winter showed up again and in December the grapevine was pruned back for the second time.
A New Fence Line with the Old Arbor
Before the onslaught of colder weather, we were able to complete the new fence lines and arbor. In the spring of 2012, when everything was all up and painted, we started training the pruned vine to its new support system. The designs for these projects were established early on and the guys executed the plan perfectly.We consider "Phase One" a success, and the horses and the grapevine appear to be pleased with the results as well.
With its recovery now underway, the grapevine will get its first application of a fertilizer next March and June. The usual fertilizer is a 10-10-10 mixture, but I am considering trying a tobacco fertilizer of 6-6-18, which has also shown positive results. In addition to N (nitrogen), P (phosphorus), and K (potassium), it also contains many micro-nutrients, which appear to have contributed to successful outcomes. In addition, an application of calcium nitrate should be given in mid-May. Calcium nitrate does not leave the soil salty, and because it dissolves quickly in water, it allows plants to easily absorb their calcium requirements.
After all These Years, It's Still Growing
On Roanoke Island in 1584, two explorers sent by Sir Walter Raleigh wrote about the grape vines they witnessed encasing the land.
"In all the world the like abundance is not to be found.”
From that point forward, several groups tried to settle the north end of Roanoke Island island and establish an English colony. One common thread that carried throughout these early settlement attempts was how the grapes that inhabited the island helped sustain them. However, these groups were overwhelmed by many problems in the new wilderness and all of them returned to their homeland in failure. In 1587, another group of settlers dared the odds and tried to populate Roanoke Island. Over the next several years, due in large measure to the threat from the Spanish Armada, England was unsuccessful in providing more men and fresh supplies to the island settlement. Finally in 1590, England triumphed over the challenges of completing a return voyage, but when this expedition landed on the island, they found it deserted.
Combing the area for clues, the sailors sighted two indications into the mysterious disappearance of the settlers. The word "Croatoan" was carved into a post of the fort and "Cro" carved into a nearby tree. The vanished colony of 1587 left no definite documentation to explain their disappearance, leading to it being referred to since as the "Lost Colony".
Interestingly today, there is a grape vine located in Manteo, NC on the northern end of Roanoke Island that is at least 400 years old. Entitled the “Mother Vine” long ago, it was most likely planted by Croatan Indians or Sir Walter Raleigh's settlers.
The “Mother Vine” produces sweet scuppernong grapes, a variety of muscadine. The grape is named after the Scuppernong River in northeastern NC. The “Mother Vine” is reputed to be the original source of the Scuppernong cultivar and is the oldest known cultivated grapevine in the nation. Cuttings from the vine helped sprout a nation’s wine industry.
As the years passed, the “Mother Vine” became the base of operations for America’s first vine growers. Creating the original American wine called Mother Vineyard Scuppernong in 1835; the wine was produced from ten thousand vines growing in and around the “Mother Vine”. The Mother Vineyard Winery operated in Manteo, NC until 1948, when the Sands Family bought it. In 1951, the family opened Richards Wine Cellars in Petersburg, Virginia which still produces Mother Vineyard Scuppernong wine. Today, the company continues to grow under the name Constellation Brands.
At present, the vine is privately owned by Jack Wilson who has lovingly cared for it for more than half a century. An aged beauty, at the intersection of the tree lined Mother Vineyard Road and Scuppernong Road is the awe-inspiring “Mother Vine”. Local folklore says the “Mother Vine” was planted by native Indians on Roanoke Island and the early settlers of the “Lost Colony” discovered it. No one really knows the true origin of the vine or for that matter the destiny of the “Lost Colony”, but without doubt the “Mother Vine” is an important cultural icon for the locals and for the entire country.
Scuppernong Grape is the official state fruit of North Carolina.
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The wagon rests in winter, the sleigh in summer, the horse never.
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