I started off the week showing you photos of dates just beginning to mature, so I thought I'd end the week with some photos of lush vines with grapes in my neighborhood! Grapes, pomegranates, olives, dates and figs are together in a category of special fruits that have an inherent holiness to them according to Jewish law, so we are particularly excited to witness their growth and to enjoy eating them when they are in season.
Traditionally, when one built a home in Israel, a grape vine was planted in the yard. Many also aspire to plant trees from each of the fruits mentioned above in their gardens. And those who are fortunate enough to live in old stone homes very often have a wonderful grape vine growing in their yard that generally climbs to a second story and provides share on a pergola on a second floor balcony! Dreamy. Sometimes I just wish there were a yard sign telling about the grape vine, with information about who planted it and when, wouldn't that be amazing?
Many of these grape vines are so old that their trunks are thick like trees, as you can see in the photo above. And while they do loose all their leaves in the winter, they come back with vigorous growth in the spring. It's so exciting to walk around the neighborhood and witness the first signs of grapes!
And while we're walking around the neighborhood, we always take a few minutes to appreciate the beauty of our little haven here in Northern Israel, and the spectacular view of Mount Meron!
Note: On a side note, as far as grape vines and container gardening are concerned, one can grow grape vines in containers, but the likelihood of actually growing grapes is fairly slim, and getting a vigorous vine that would cover a pergola is also not so simple. I tried it myself a few years ago, and did not succeed, and my little vines succumbed to the winter cold, alack alas. So if you're craving a grape vine, the best thing is to plant one in the ground, and the second best thing is a very large, and especially very deep pot, as the roots need depth.