My Grape Vines are Embarrassing 🫣😂 + More Flower Bed Cleanup! 🌿✂️ // Garden Answer

[@sherylemoore8626]

Could you carry cloned Pauls in your shop? 😉 Thank you for the grape pruning lesson. I think I learned more with them not being perfect. My father in law had grapes (some wonderful old purple many-seeded variety) for decades. There is only one left now but you have inspired me to take a hard look at it and see if maybe it can be rejuvenated. Those grapes were not good for eating but my mother in law made the best rich purple juice with them. Your videos have often brought happy memories back to me and I am so grateful for that. Benjamin is so inventive. I love how you are so positive and supportive with him and Samantha. You are a great mom.

[@VirginiaMathews94]

Yes, cloned Paul’s would be great!! 👨🏻‍🌾😆

[@melissadavis3814]

This is the best comment!! I sure would order a Paul for sure! Although, I think Aaron would be stumped on shipping!

[@RealBradMiller]

I got one off Temu, but he was a little messed up; mostly sat in the building loft and shook uncontrollably. 😮‍💨🤣

[@juliekane1156]

🤣🤣@@RealBradMiller

[@virginiahudson6079]

I’d order a Paul-alike! ✅

[@lynndavis9432]

I love that you show us how to recover from a less than ideal garden situation....I bet that is where most of us find ourselves. Knowing how to approach things to bring them back to ideal....is what I need!

[@Fam4Moore]

I was so glad she choose to show this, I mean when Laura from Garden Answer has things go a miss and just makes the best of it then surely the rest of us can! Like that she is honest with her views, it's refreshing!

[@marialicemorgan19]

So glad Paul is letting you film him. He is a man with many skills. Nice to see how he complements your plans and work.

[@Blake.Cooper]

Always fun when you show Paul working. It's awesome you have such a great team!

[@susanskinner8855]

That Paul is a hard worker! You are very lucky to have found him!!

[@SaltCreekFarmstead]

While you may think it’s embarrassing, it’s relatable! Life happens. Things get overlooked. You’re human! Teaching how to save it is so encouraging.

[@sonyarogersmissmagic8587]

Can we all appreciate the use of the turnbuckles!!! Very smart. He needs a raise!!

[@teresaalbright883]

My cotheslines are on turnbuckles. Vinyl coated wire lines. Very handy!

[@guardianminifarm8005]

We do too. Some have been growing on the ground for years. I am afraid to look at those.😮

[@alcg3981]

I bought some to use on my shade sails this year. Didn't know the name..

[@saraw8503]

@@teresaalbright883mine too.

[@StayPositive050]

Thanks for the name of those!

[@jcking6785]

What a satisfying video!! First, Paul shows us his skills with hardware; I love how he smoothed the cut ends of the eye bolt. Showing us the real world when we don’t/can’t get garden chores done when it’s best for the plants - one of the many reasons I love watching this channel. And the most satisfying of all: Paul mulching the kitchen flower bed! First he fills the cart with mulch, not spilling a bit on the driveway, then he expertly cleans around all the little plants that are just waking up giving them the right amount of mulch, finishing up by blowing the area clean. That man is a Jack of all trades and master of many! Can’t give you enough kudos, Paul; you are a true gem! 💎

[@ShushLorraine]

Well, you can't get to every chore. You are incredible. In fact, I sit on my couch and see your new video coming up and think, "She's just incredible," and,"Is there no end? Is there actually something else to tend to?" Yet, I understand you do so much more than garden and edit, like play the piano daily, parent, read, etc... Thanks so much for your great videos, for sharing your knowledge. I also appreciate so much your kindness and decency. I wouldn't watch otherwise, no matter how much I'd learn. Your husband and parents and sister, too. A God-fearing family brings so many blessings. It's evident.

[@petrastone3912]

Hi Laura, when I was watching you prune your grapes I kept saying"she's doing it wrong", lol. I know how much you love that. Anyway, here is my suggestion: if you want to create cordons on 3 wires it would be best to either pick one main cane( or since you have 2 already, which gives you a back-up in case one dies) two main canes and fasten them to all three wires vertically, in other words going straight up. Then choose your left and right canes which will become your cordons on the other two wires at the height of each wire once they start growing this season. That then becomes your main structure from which you can spur prune. You can still easily do this, since the canes you left are still flexible. If you leave your canes as they are, you will either have to choose a side chute cane to go up vertically to the other two wires, or be stuck with your grapes on the bottom wire only. Love your channel and watch you daily!!

[@Erin-tk5jw]

Your description reminds me of how I’ve seen people prune espaliered trees

[@oanaobrien3046]

Love this comment. I was wondering the entire time how will she get to those other two wires if the grapes are pruned and trained on the lowest wire.

[@petrastone3912]

@@Erin-tk5jw Exactly!

[@KenIvywood]

You go Paul what awesome help. So is Douglas 😂.Everything is waking up in the garden. It’s exciting to see everything waking up in the Spring. I’m amazed how quickly everything changes from brown to green. Thank you for sharing your garden

[@lindaga820]

I agree spring is so refreshing, mother is so amazing !!

[@kindafoggy]

This is the year that Benjamin could have his own garden plot! The little garden inside the pallet fence you made him years ago was so darn cute. Now he's old enough that he's got a lot of his own good ideas on garden architecture. I'd love to see how he designs and plants his little garden.

[@AliPillette]

Paul!!!❤❤❤ he did such an amazing job on that wire cable installation. Perfection. Does Paul know how much we all love him? 😂😂

[@belindamines3174]

Wish we all had a Paul & Bethany💙🩷

[@sherilynkoss4546]

Thanks for taking us along Paul! Everything looks great!❤

[@Yrutnec1]

LAURA, YOU SAY THE CUTEST THINGS --- "FAITH IN PRUNING" GOES TO THE FILE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS YOU SAY.

[@megafumble16]

14:23 "We're just staying in theme here..." made me laugh :D Honestly though the wonky grape vine trunks are kinda charming and whimsical, love them!

[@BethFrank-xt8my]

Wow!!! Everybody should have a Paul. What a blessing you found each other.

[@tonigardella4165]

I wish I had a Paul around , you guys are so blessed to have him . What a hard worker he is !❤️

[@lisaoswalt5233]

Paul (& Bethany) are so meticulous in their work. Do Russell, Cheddar & Douglas interact with them like they do with Laura? Just curious as to whether they treat them like family as they do everyone in your home since they’re such a regular part of daily life at Garden Answer Acres. 😊

[@markconsolacion6774]

I was wondering the exact same thing. I have yet to see video evidence of any of the feline trio interact with P&B.

[@Quilt-garden-bake]

Well, Paul is nothing short of amazing. It’s obvious he is a blessing to your family. The man knows how to work!

[@toninorcross2611]

I’m so happy you have Paul. Being a solo gardener I know how much you value his help. Finding your channel has enhanced my landscaping skills and upped my gardening game! I Appreciate you too, Aaron and editing team! Thanks for keeping it real!

[@rena6430]

Just had to chime in here…. I totally echo this and I garden for a living!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@eberlinschwinn5634]

Wow. Paul didn’t just mulch. He cleaned up extra leaves and debris and then installed extra staples to hold down all the irrigation lines and THEN he mulched. All those details make such a difference and those irrigation lines are buggers. They move around and shimmy as water goes through them. I don’t enjoy the getting ready part but it sure does make a difference and looks so nice after mulching. Great job Paul.

[@bjrockensock]

It's worth mentioning that in areas where the ground freezes deeply, to wait until it thaws and warms before mulching. From experience, a gardener can keep those icy beds for quite a long time with a nice layer of mulch on top of frozen soil... if you want peonies, for example, to bloom later (for a wedding or whatever) this trick is your friend! In Minneapolis, after a snowless and rather warm winter, I'm cleaning the debris like autumn leaves already a full month early, but not very fast! I want to keep those soils moist and cool for as long as possible to avoid cold snaps and late spring freezes, which will likely happen. I envy your early and long desert spring!!

[@GardenKath]

This is so important for new gardeners who watch this channel to understand. Laura has a very specific climate that I would say the majority of her viewers don't share. And she has no experience at all with Midwestern/Eastern/Southern gardening, so she has no way of knowing if her experience applies or doesn't apply to a viewer's climate. Don't use Laura as a timetable for things, unless you're also in a high desert climate in zone 6b/7a.

[@GardenRetriever]

Where did Paul learn to do all these things? The parts, the tools?? Awesome! Excited about the kitchen completion at your parents, looking so close to the end!

[@theglamgram]

Laura, your hair is always so pretty ❤ I enjoyed the lesson on grape pruning and sent this video to my son. I think he’s neglected his vines, too. You’re not alone!

[@BahamianLily]

Loved seeing Paul do his thing. He's a Godsend.

[@cindydavison5278]

Paul is the bomb! Is there anything he can’t do??? His work is so meticulous too!

[@sherilynkoss4546]

Driving by local grape vines by growers, they always seem to use 2x4 lumber props to train the bases upwards. So don't feel bad, perhaps some grapes tend to crawl instead of opt for upright balance. Sorta like me after visiting a local winery. 😂❤

[@annehedlund7333]

Lol😊

[@MelindaBrooks-vj3fr]

Laura, I love these working videos. Please do not think they are worthless. And they show such hard work. Wow!

[@deborahmouille1718]

I could watch Paul all day long! The important jobs in the garden are the final touches that put the icing on the cake! Thanks, Laura, for sharing every little detail of your day! You always make gardening look fun and enjoyable! You are my go-to video first thing in the morning with my first cup of coffee! Oh, the simple pleasures of life! How sweet!

[@b61020]

Paul is impressive with all his skills, what a blessing to have such amazing help.

[@maryalicehuffstetler3026]

My husband worked in my flower bed today. It looks so much better.😊❤ I am looking forward to planting more flowers this spring/summer.

[@RachelTsTime]

I love that you’re sharing a project that’s kind of been on the back burner ❤ we all have one of those 😅😂

[@smabernethy]

When our son was Benjamin's age,we gave him a tilt top architect's desk and big sheet of paper and pencils. He made all kinds of construction plans,devices,planes,trains and yes landscapes. To this day,he writes like an architect!

[@lindahopps739]

So satisfying to watch Paul work, he does such a good job!

[@shirleysenkler781]

Your fence builder and his sledge hammer is sooooo cute!

[@fredericobahia]

I'd love to watch a Q&A with Paul and Bethany! I know they've said in the past they don't want to appear as much in the videos, but I'm feeling this has slowly changed a bit hahahaha maybe they'd accept it? 🤞🏼 I'd love to know how they feel working for you and getting to experience your property, which I'm sure is the dream of most of your viewers!

[@icooper275]

You and Aaron found you a gem in Paul and Bethany. Paul sure moves fast(high speed)lol! Love watching, he does a great job.🪴🌱🐈‍⬛

[@sherrygardensallaround6486]

Laura, you did an awesome job pruning the grape vines with fur-baby Douglas kitty's invaluable assistance. 😻 Although I've been growing grapes for years, I learned from you about the ties that you use. Thank you. I'm training mine on a pergola with the hope that they will be happy and beautiful there. Benjamin's fence project is awesome. Love that Benjamin is learning to build, garden and love his home as much as you guys do. Great job. Blessings and love. Sherry 🥰 🙏 💞 🍇

[@kathrynriggs2489]

The knowledge and lifeskills that he is naturally absorbing from his parents, grandparents, Paul, and Bethany is just amazing.

[@lisafenno4563]

We all could use a Paul. What a great worker.

[@katiegray14]

Pruning, garden bed cleanup, and spreading mulch. All so satisfying to watch! 🪴

[@CindDJo]

Bought my first pair of Felco 2s from you this week. They have already proved their worth with all the trimming and pruning I've done. Thanks!

[@gardenanswer]

Thank you for supporting us!!

[@kathyelseroad3166]

Thank you for your Mom. Left handed Felco are wonderful for me. Love them.

[@lphelan100]

Benjamin is so cute imitating what he sees his parents do....planing out a new path!! 😄 The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree.

[@claudiaceleste777]

When we were still training the vines up in our vineyard many years ago, our little cat Woody Girl would accompany us. She would rub herself around the base of the vine and get in the way, so we’d give her a cuddle, finish the vine we were working on, and then move on to the next vine. She pretty much blessed every single vine on the 20acres.

[@judyhawkins6470]

Everyone needs a Paul. Such a hard worker.

[@kathyhansford4552]

The Paul’s of the world make it a better place!!

[@annehedlund7333]

AMEN

[@rosealvarado264]

Good morning all have a safe and blessed day ❤️

[@natasha1369]

Oh my goodness sir handsomeness, I mean Paul, is so skilled at everything! He is such a gem, but thanks to both him and his sister's behind the scene magic they do to help make things beautiful! And what a great team.❤

[@LindaKrippel]

We learn so much from you in seeing what a hopeless clean up can look like in the end. Love when fresh mulch goes down. Makes it all look fresh and neat! I think Paul is going to have a little side kick very soon. Benjamin is so smart and creative! Sweet, sweet boy!! Good to see Paul in action too!!

[@DownSpriggLane]

Lol, not alone. I have a 35-year-old grape that was at our house when we bought it and I have never pruned it!

[@wingedinfinity777]

Benjamin's new creation is adorable 😍🥰🤩🙌💥 HIGH FIVE BENJAMIN ‼️💯💥 The way he was emulating you was something to behold. Moments to treasure for sure 💕💕💕. And Paul's work was so meticulous ! Wow. You have such a great team ‼️🥰🌿💐

[@lauramercer6729]

I’m glad you showed the grapes! Everyone learns from mistakes, and we got the benefit of learning from yours. It was very helpful!

[@kimmywaldin8426]

Laura, You and Aaron are so blessed to have Paul... His attention to detail is spot on. Benjamin, Your fence project looks wonderful. You are such a big help to Mom. ❣

[@stephanieblume5448]

Watching how you prune anything is helpful to me..thanks. PAUL IS AS HANDY AS A POCKET ON A SHIRT! 🎉😊

[@amysgardenstead2879]

I haven’t pruned my grapes and they are a couple of years old. Faith in pruning will be the motto.

[@LifeRomanticized]

Hi Laura, both of my grandparents had grapes growing on their pergola which they had been taking care of for over 30 years. Don't feel so discouraged due to the way those trunks were grown! Cause let me tell you that does not play a huge role! My grandparents' grapes produce so much fruit each year and they barely got any "correct" shaping prunes in their life! So please give them a chance, you would be surprised! ☺ Thanks for your videos, greetings from Germany!

[@donnawells7987]

I know Paul is such a blessing for you guys!! I know I learn something every time I watch you guys! Love it!!

[@raeperonneau4941]

Everything you do is helpful to someone! I may not have grapes but having something beautiful, positive and productive to start my workday is a huge gift. …and you never know, I could win the lottery and end up in the wine business. 😂

[@angelaengler2387]

Well I know what I am doing today! I love that I can plan my garden projects after I see Laura do hers😀🍇

[@linsmith2310]

❤😊 Awesome I was wondering if Ur plans too build the base around the grapes 🍇 as U did around them berries?? What a hard cut, butt now too watch them grow, bloom out Fresh delicious yummies, great Job, U make it look so Easy!! Enjoying All Ur Projects ❤😊

[@glendalund1790]

Laura, you’re not alone with the untrained grapes…I’m inspired to get out to start pruning!

[@truthtalker4038]

A Douglas is the best tool to have in the garden!

[@Maggie-Gardener-Maker]

You are a good sport Laura to share your grapevine pruning since you thought it was embarrassing.

[@wendyloui1]

I'm so glad you showed how Paul did that. This super helpful to me for my raspberry beds.

[@theresarasche3173]

I love how the cats come to you, when you’re busy, for some love😊❤️

[@lauravandien2363]

I don’t know anything about grapes but they certainly do look a lot better. Mulch is always a welcome addition-Paul is such an asset!

[@linneamariephotography]

I love when your personality pokes through, Laura! Even your video today with your mom. So cute! I know cooking isn’t in the wheelhouse on this channel but I miss your cooking videos so much. When you said meal prep I thought that sounded fun! ❤

[@sarahdaniels3903]

You are not alone! I got two grapes (don’t even remember what kind) 4 years ago and they are growing on the side of our vegetable garden fence, I’ve never pruned them 😅 and they don’t produce well. Thank you Laura I now have the confidence to go hack them down to size!!

[@mrsstacytaylor]

This makes me want to plant grapes 🍇 💕

[@chrisrfan]

Thank you for sharing your gardening boo boos! Makes the rest of us feel ok about our own boo boos! 😂 Shout out to Paul! Such a hard working individual, with amazing skills and very meticulous with his work! ❤

[@theresarasche3173]

I definitely am not going to judge you on pruning your grape vines 😂 I just live vicariously through you and your garden! I moved to a condo and I’m already missing my garden 😢because I love the spring when everything wakes up ❤

[@tericamcginnis5848]

Learning how to prune grapes is top of my need to know. Thanks for the suggestion s. You think yours are neglected....you should see mine out at our rec property!!! Have a great day. 🐸💛🐸💚🐸💙🐸💜😎

[@kristibrooks967]

Miss Laura, that piece of equipment is called a turnbuckle. I use them to tighten my Aussie sun shade. 😊

[@jude9952]

My brother has a vineyard and grows 4 different grapes for local wineries (and a little for himself). I showed him your video and he said you did a pretty good job!! The only suggestion he had was that instead of winding your cordons around the wire, use a little tie and hang them just below the wire. Grapes are a lot of work and he is outside working on them probably 10 months out of the year. I enjoy helping him at harvest time, but it is a lot of work year-round. I love watching your videos and seeing all the progress you make every year! Those little squirts of yours are growing so fast - such sweet babies!!

[@Gin0827]

Yes, I do have some grape vines to trim. The Felcos I bought from GA have been busy cutting back roses. I should have gotten the red and white pair instead of the all red! The all red were perfect for honeysuckle and clematis. Thanks again for informative cutback instructions!! 🍇🌹👍. Paul is awesome!!🌟

[@TRUTHBRINGER-ez9mo]

I had three grape vines that got too huge for my small yard.. so I cut two of the vines all the way down to the trunk, then dug out the trunks; severing large roots.. I gave them to a neighbor and they grew back beautifully! It took about a year to two years for good growth. They are very resilient!

[@janehynes8319]

Seeing clean up and mulch means drones and beneficial release isn’t too far off!!!

[@janehynes8319]

You call it wonky. I call it character!

[@amydeeds6248]

Now I know why you like Paul to mulch-he mulches like I do, careful placement and doesn’t bury plants! What kind of shovel is he using? I like how wide it looks and doesn’t seem heavy. Benjamin is learning well from Aaron about infrastructure lol. 😊

[@lindaparra6002]

Wow! Even though it was at high speed, I still noticed that you do a lot of work in your garden to keep it up! Thank You for sharing with us. Your son has grown so much... Continued Blessings!!!

[@gailallen2895]

I know it is hard work but so satisfying to see the results. Young backs are such a blessing. So attractive near the chickens. Benjamin is designing already!

[@TeamVeen]

I have grapevines that I also have been neglecting. Thank you for showing me how to take care of them. Videos like this may not seem super helpful to you, but I really enjoy them. It helps me see what it takes to upkeep landscaping and also tells me when I should do the tasks needed to take care of my garden.

[@bettyjrogers]

Well, well, well. Douglas has been whipped into shape and has learned his manners. Go Doug!

[@jasminelouisefarrall]

Afternoon Everyone 🥰

[@dianaterpstra9771]

Laura you have come a long way in the years l have been following Garden Answer. I have watched you develop into a good steward of the land you live on. I remember when you said it felt unnatural to have things not flat. Now you have berms! When you remove debris from the land surrounding something that grew, l always think of the cost it takes when your replace it with bought fertility. I believe that your growth will continue, and your knowledge of your role in curating healthy soils is coming soon. Keep up the good work and don't stop growing.

[@katiedc8239]

The only plants that really intimidate me are berry plants: grapes, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc. But your planting and pruning videos on these plants have helped so much, thank you! Oh, and the mulching Paul did looks wonderful. It really does make a big difference on how a garden bed looks!

[@muddove9214]

Make a grapevine wreath or basket from the old vine😀

[@mclarenbrennan5846]

No question! Way to make the best of what you've got to work with. I'm certain others will feel better knowing they aren't the only ones to let things slide but still address the best they can when they can. Thanks for the inspo!

[@lnwmelon]

Benjamin is so sweet. And I appreciate the grape pruning. I just did that to one of mine that I had neglected, and I’m glad to see that I did ok!

[@junoharpoon]

Can we applaud the skillset of gardeners for a minute. (I know you do A & L) Worth every $ spent and more. Your channel demonstrates this fact and hi lights the value of the profession. 👏👏👏

[@ulla.umlaut]

Your advice for roses also applies to grapes in my experience. I have a 20+ year old grape vine that came with my house that we grow up over a pergola. I try to remove all the leaves and any shriveled grapes entirely from the property every fall to prevent black rot from overwintering in debris. What you said about cutting it back 80% and then cutting it more is so true. We had a fence put in in 2019 and cut the plant back to a stump to make room around it for the work. It rebounded and has gotten enormous in the intervening 4 years. I did take the opportunity after that big chop to not allow it to set fruit for two years in addition to having removed all that growth and cleaning up debris diligently, and that seems to have really helped with black rot.

[@rhondafisher72]

I love this time of year watching cleanup videos and the sprouting of the plants.

[@linda1776]

Laura you did a great job pruning. I live in the central valley we have tons of grape fields. I have one long row with about 9 or 10 grape vines. I too have the red and green in the back area of our home. The second vine you pruned reminded me that we stake each vine where there is a post. That way the stake helps the stability of the vine when first planted. Also the vine does grow with a trunk and then splits into two branches (leaders). So what we do is train one branch going left on the wire and the other branch going right. Like you did on the first vine you pruned. Also your long leaders that you wrap around the wire can be left longer . Because as you wrap the leader you try and pull straight up as close and parallel to the trunk and then begin wrapping. We do a tight wrap going around the wrie several times. Just to be able to get more grape production. Grapes are such a treat, thats our last crop for the summer. We also make grape jam. 🍇 😋

[@casaroccafamilyking]

I really enjoyed the clip of the grapevines, because I had followed in your footsteps a few years ago, planting some grapes (here in Italy) but then not deciding on which would be leader vines, etc. Your transparent narration of weaknesses and strengths in pruning were freshing AND encouraging. Do you prune differently for different types of grapes?

[@laurieaves]

It was so great to see the grape vines. I think it made the pruning process more informative to see the impact of not pruning and how to correct it. I feel like I learned a lot more than seeing it done properly from the beginning. Thank you for sharing.

[@carmenmarcinkiewicz7149]

How satisfying to get those grapes pruned!! Paul is worth his weight in gold. How incredibly blessed you are to have such a dedicated and hard worker!

[@MichelleLieven-nr2ik]

Matteo will be so happy to see you pruned the grapes he gifted you😊

[@jeanetteburt3335]

Definitely not alone Laura. We have 3 grapevines that are very neglected. In my defence, 🙄we just bought the property a couple of months ago). We have a very, very old vine that grows approx 30ft x 30ft. It has very sweet small grapes but the trunks are huge and its smothering some of our trees. We also have a very juicy sweet green grape and another variety of purple grape. They are both meandering up peach trees. So your video has been very helpful as we will have to prune at the end of winter, beginning of spring. We are just going into Autumn here in New Zealand. Thanks for a very helpful video.

[@coloraturaElise]

I know nothing about grapes or pruning them....or, I should say, I KNEW nothing, but now I have a very clear understanding of what it's all about and feel like I could do it, too....that is great teaching right there!

[@lindaheter6350]

Love watching your videos, and I so happy that Paul is letting you film him too. Such a hard working man and certainly deserves credit for all that he does. Benjamin is so cute, not camera shy at all and wants to let us know what he is busy working on…love it!❤