If there is one thing that shouts summer more than anything else it's sitting under a pergola with massive bunches of grapes dangling overhead. I've never had one of these vistas in my own garden but I can certainly appreciate it in others and would love to dream that one day it may become a possibility.

A single grape vine can easily cover a 6" x 6" pergola and produce more grapes than you'll ever be able to eat. But, it takes many years to get to that stage. You'll have to substitute fruit for growth for probably the first couple of years as it climbs its way across the trellising. After a couple of years of growth though it's time to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Table grapes are a wonderful fruit and so easy to care for. They require pruning in the winter months and possibly some mulching during the hot summers but need little else. Your hardest chore will be finding enough neighbours to give the fruit away to.

If you want to view a great list of table grape varieties visit this site [PDF].