Tobita-san showing Andy how to thin the blossoms
日本のリンゴ生産の技術がすごいです。
知れば知るほど、感心します。
知れば知るほど、あれだけ大きくて美しくておいしいリンゴが出来るのにどんな苦労がかかっているか分かります。
上山田のリンゴ農家、飛田さんに誘われて、美味しいリンゴが出来る為の作業の一つを体験しました：花摘み。
飛田さんの「クラウン農園」リンゴ畑が十一面観音で有名の智識寺の近辺です。子供達を連れて、お邪魔しました。飛田さんが親切に花の積み方を教えてくれて、子供達も楽しんで体験できました。
来年は「プチ農業体験プラン：りんご花摘み」を計画したいと思っています。今回の体験はその下見を兼ねてやりました。信州の自然の楽しみ方の一つとして、旅館のお客様に案内したいと思っています。
It never ceases to amaze me how much effort goes into growing apples in Japan. Once you see how much work the apple growers do, you will realize it's no wonder they make such magnificent, perfect fruit.
One of our local Kamiyamada growers, Tobita-san from Crown Farm, invited me to his orchard to try my hand at one of the many aspects of apple growing: blossom thinning.
Crown Farm's orchards are located nearby Chishiki-ji Temple. I took our two sons to the orchards and Tobita-san carefully explained the procedure on how to thin the blossoms. It was easy enough for even our kids to do. Plus it was a lot of fun being out in the clean air amongst all the apple trees. Our #2 son, Kenny in particular enjoyed climbing the trees to reach the higher blossoms!
Next year, I am hoping to offer a 'Mini Farm Experience Plan' and provide our guests a chance to be an apple grower for a day. First I wanted to try it myself. Now next season, hopefully we'll be able to let guests enjoy working in an apple orchard, too.
クラウン農園のＨＰはこちらClick here for Crown Farm's website.
Caution: Pollinators at Work
One of the Pollinators
