The grapes of wrath

One of my favorite things about living in Nerima is the proximity to agriculture.  From small family gardens in a plot next to their house to larger farms that sell their produce, we are surrounded by growth and prosperity.  I have loved going daikon pulling and harvesting peanuts (to name a few).  When my husband read about harvesting grapes, I didn't hesitate to join the fun.

We showed up at 10 am, right when they were getting everything going.  There were already lots of people there, including a slew of kids.  We were welcomed into the shade of the vineyard.  I grew up seeing the vertical rows of wine grapes, but here they are grown on a trellis, making a lovely shaded area.  Several tables were set up under and near the grapes with various activities.  They also had musicians playing for some added fun.

My husband's heart was so happy as he remembered his grandfather growing grapes and helping to harvest year after year when he was a child.  Wandering under the green, purple, and red grapes helped him to recall memories of family fun.

My son decided he wanted to decorate a bag.  Kids were painting grape leaves and using them as stamps on a fabric bag.  He then used a bottle cap to print big round purple grapes. 

Once he finished his bag, he sat nicely and learned about how grapes were grown.  The vineyard participates in a program for locals to learn how to grow grapes.  For an annual fee, they get to join various events throughout the year to help the harvest.  I learned that they actually remove the bark off the vines every year to prevent bugs from making a home in it.  These bugs can do real damage to the crop, and the removal of the bark doesn't hurt the plant. 

After the little lesson, our son was handed a pair of scissors.  He could pick a bunch to harvest.  He couldn't pick a bunch of bunches, as we had to pay for the grapes.  But he could pick one or two.  A quick peruse and he found the right bunch.  I don't know how he really chose because they were all wrapped in paper bags.  But it really didn't matter how he chose the right one.  We were just glad the decision didn't take a super long time.  Such big decisions can sometimes take a really long time for a 6 year old!

My husband lifted him up and held the bottom of the bunch while our son made the cut. 

But before we headed out, we let our son make a lantern that will be part of the 2019 Urban Agriculture World Summit that will be held in Nerima at the end of November.  He carefully drew three varieties of grapes and... a watermelon. 

We ended up taking home 3 bunches.  My son harvested red and purple and we grabbed a green bunch from the farm that was harvested by the owner.  Impressed with our treasures, we decided that it was time to head home. 

I love spending time in the fields, seeing how food comes to life.  It is a special place for me that always leaves a smile on my face.