The grape arbor filling in nicely, for the fourth full summer of growth.

This summer marks year five in owning Hillcrest Farm, a property that dates as far back to 1789 (part of the Karr Farm) but conclusively by 1810. The metal structure pictured above was the skeletal remains of a shade tent with zippered sides to protect against mosquitos & other biting insect pests. The former owners had left the monstrosity behind, a massive thing of beige vinyl.

When trying to think of how to dispose of it, I thought of repurposing the frame, which was of a decent fairly decorative metal. I figured it could be strengthened into an arbor were grapevines to harden around it. How could you go wrong with something free? What was there to lose?

Behold the result.

Examples of the Grape clusters that adorn the frame, once you’ve approached the masses of leaves.

The grapevines have yet to weave around the very top of the frame to close off the top, which will provide shade. As this spot finds intense sun hitting it for most of the day, a finished canopy will provide much-needed shade for a sip of tea.

Admittedly, I grew quite obsessed with the idea of such a kind of structure from watching the film Emma with Gwyneth Paltrow. There’s a scene where she & her former governess are working on needlework under a shaded garden tent, & the effect is truly lovely. And there’s another scene where Emma is pictured under it, & it struck me as just the kind of feature that would be both beautiful & useful.

Emma writing underneath her garden tent.

An example of a pergola that provides shade for a detached seating area.

Having visited Italy & estates where pergolas have been used to achieve a similar effect, I thought of joining the two ideas. A kind of pergola that acts as if it were a shade tent, located in an especially sunny spot of the yard. Such a feature would allow respite from heat while still providing a lovely view of the grounds.

Luckily, the metal frame fit the purpose. The grapevines would be particularly helpful in shoring up the fairly flimsy metal (when compared with wrought-iron structures that can cost a ridiculous sum). Custom-made tents like the one used in the film could also prove very expensive, so I tried to aim for frugality.

The grapes themselves are proving quite plentiful.

Again, this remains a work in progress, but it’s pretty cool to imagine something & then watch it materialize in your own yard. So many aspects of the grounds were simply ideas, & now I’m finding myself surrounded by things I imagined.

Gardening is a kind of magic. Sure, you may not get the spell right each time, but there’s a miracle of life that grows right before your eyes. And then there’s the alchemy, the transfiguration of turning grape into jelly that will soon commence with canning season.

Another view of the grape arbor.

More grapes, an abundance of clusters all over the arbor.

This farm continues to amaze me with its beauty in utility. The best features of the grounds marry those ideas of aesthetic pleasure with useful in purpose. Edith Wharton, who considered herself a much more skilled gardener than writer (pretty amazing, given her accomplishment of being the first woman to win a Pulitzer!), often reinforced the concept of useful but pretty objects.

How fitting a tribute to Wharton, then!

More grapes to admire.