A grandfather is enjoying the fruits of four years of hard work after finally managing to grow grapes in his yard.

Green-fingered Raphael Barnett, 59, cultivated the crop at his home in Pembroke from a cutting.

“I’m not sure of the variety — I got the cutting from a tree in Friswells Hill when I was doing some work at someone’s house. I think it might have been a Bay Grape tree.

“I started them about four years ago but this is the first time I’ve produced grapes — I got a good portion.

“I’ve got about 40 or 50 bunches and I’m going to make some jam.

“The kiskadees are coming like crazy, so I’m giving the grapes away, too.”

Bay Grape trees, also known as sea grapes, are common in coastal areas but Mr Barnett does not know of anyone else harvesting the fruit from a cutting.

The gardener, who lives with his wife Michelle and has two daughters and a grandson, grew the grapes “in the shed in the back of the yard” at his home, which is near Art Mel’s on St Monica’s Road.

“I don’t think there are many around,” he said. “Other people might have them, but I haven’t seen them anywhere else.

“I’m so excited about this and happy for people to come and see the grapes.”

In his spare time, when he isn’t at work for the Corporation of Hamilton, Mr Barnett tends to his small farm in Devonshire.

“When I finish work I go to my garden,” he said. “I’ve had it about eight or nine years, I wanted a place to put my goats.

“I grow string beans, lettuce, tomatoes but nothing large, just small portions.”

Mr Barnett, who frequently shows his efforts at the annual Agricultural Exhibition, said the secret to his success was simple — a lot of TLC and patience.

But his wife, Michelle, a clinical coordinator with Bermuda Hospitals Board, reckons he has a knack for nature and “everything he tends to grows”.

“I’m very, very proud of him and excited for him,” she added.