The arrival of spring at a mountain field, viewing season for edible flowers/Ooi

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1203240027/

March 25, 2012

The viewing season has arrived at a flower garden=Ooimachi Shinokubo

At a farm in Ooimachi Shinokubo, the viewing season for edible flowers has arrived. In one area,aA field of flowers is dyed in a vivid gold, announcing the arrival of spring to the Satoyama’s visitors.

A farming corporation is using the flower field as a garden to support bees, an activity used in crop rotation. At first, the area took up about 1500 square meters. After 33 years, it's expanded to 20,000 square meters.

"You can enjoy the flowers until (the end) of March. Seeing the sunlight over Mount Fuji and Sagami Bay is dazzling" said President Koide Kouji. 100 cherry blossoms have been planted on the premises, making it look more like spring. It's said that they will bloom over the weekend.

Located 10 minutes from the Odakyu line's Shinmatsuda Station. For questions, contact the bee garden at 0465(85)3215. 

Original text:

里山に春到来、菜の花見ごろ/大井

2012年3月25日

見ごろを迎えた菜の花畑＝大井町篠窪

大井町篠窪の農園で、菜の花が見ごろを迎えた。辺り一面を鮮やかな黄色に染めた花々が、里山に春の訪れを告げている。

 菜の花は農業法人蜂花苑が蜂の飼育のため、休耕地を活用して育てている。当初１５００平方メートルほどだった菜の花畑は、33年かけて約２万平方メートルにまで広がった。

「花は３月いっぱいまで楽しめる。晴れた日には富士山や相模湾が一望できる景観が魅力」と社長の小出晧治さん（75）。敷地には春めき桜約１００本も植えられており、来週末には桜も見ごろになるという。

小田急線新松田駅から車で約10分。問い合わせは蜂花苑電話０４６５（８５）３２１５。