‘This isn't something to sell — it's the joy we feel when it stands like a sweet canopy in our yard’

Kottakkal: The sight of ripe grape bunches being plucked brought tears of joy to Assainar Pariyarath. “These are not for sale,” he said with a smile, “There’s a special happiness in seeing grapes ripen in one’s own courtyard. That joy itself is priceless. It's very challenging to grow grapes in our climate, and these are completely pesticide-free and delicious too.”

Assainar Pariyarath, a talented artist as well, has turned his courtyard into a lush green haven by cultivating grapes with care and dedication. His inspiration came after watching a video about grape cultivation by Rasak from Tirur. Already an enthusiastic terrace gardener growing various fruit varieties, Assainar had dreamed of cultivating grapes as well long ago.

His terrace boasts a wide variety of fruits, such as dragon fruit, pomegranates, different types of guavas, oranges, figs, custard apples, and sapota. He had tried planting grapevines earlier in the terrace itself, but the attempt was unsuccessful.

However, his interest remained alive through a WhatsApp group of grape lovers and fellow gardeners, where he learnt more about cultivation techniques. About one and a half years ago, during a casual visit to a nursery in Palachiramattom, he stumbled upon a rare variety of grapevine, the Bangalore Purple. Without hesitation, he bought the plant and nurtured it in his courtyard.

Though the vine was once affected by a fungal infection, it recovered and has now yielded its first crop successfully. Grapes typically take around 100 days to complete their process from flowering to ripening. To prevent rain from damaging the vines, Assainar covered them with transparent plastic sheets. He also installed iron wires and set up a sturdy trellis, which required investment.

The plant is nourished with organic compost, household organic waste, and cow dung. Though he considered using bone meal and neem cake, he chose to stick with natural and minimal inputs. No chemical pesticides have been used at any stage.

His wife Saifunnisa and children, Sajal and Senil, have been active partners in maintaining and nurturing the terrace and backyard garden.