Grow Your Own

Yesterday my husband Big Guy generously made a gift of cherry tomato plants to the children in Kitten's classroom. Isn't he wonderful?

(Big Guy - when you finally get a chance to sit down - probably this winter - you may be reading this post. See how I called you wonderful? And on the Internet? Please feel free to print this page and use as needed).

There is definitely an increasing trend towards people growing their own vegetables. Even some of our retail vegetable transplant customers seem slightly surprised by the level of demand.

Something like a tomato plant can be grown in your backyard, your balcony, or even indoors next to a sunny window. Why not give one a try this summer, if you haven't already?

We're decided to get our daughter, Kitten, more involved in the process of veggie growing this summer. I even bought her some cute childs' gardening gloves at the dollar store.

My girlie girl had only one response to these gloves. "Didn't they have any in pink?"

Mother Nature

 

This spectacular show from Mother Nature will beautify our landscape for just a few more days.

Nature has its’ own schedule. It will not be hurried; nor will it wait for you.

With the availability of almost every type of food year-round in the grocery store, people forget there is a seasonality involved in food production.

This week a customer asked us if our garden peas were ready yet. In fact, it’s still too cold and early to even plant the pea seeds.

Here are some suggestions of ways you can appreciate the season:

1. Eat local food. Look for “Local” on the signs in your store’s produce department. Eating locally with the season is bound to be fresh and nutritious, and is without the added environmental cost of extra transportation.

 2. Go outside! At this time of year, such beauties as tree blossoms and birds’ nests are just waiting to be discovered and appreciated.

 3. Think about planting some seeds or transplants, even if it’s on your windowsill or patio. Before you know it, it will be too late to start anything new for this summer.

 4. Catch time in a bottle - take photos.

 5. Consider freezing local delicacies such as asparagus and rhubarb to enjoy later- before they’re gone.

To everything there is a season. I’d love to hear what you enjoy about this time of year.

Self-sufficiency

We are the proud owners of three new fruit trees for our small orchard. Joining the peach tree (pictured above), two plum trees, and a grape vine are a pear, apricot, and cherry tree.

The new trees are a bit spindly looking, so their labels make a better picture at this stage.

They won’t bear fruit for another two years, but I am already greedily anticipating the lovely rows of canned delights that we will enjoy.

Thanks to my husband’s efforts in the hunting and gathering department, and mine in the food preserving area, we have many homemade treats to savour.

The freezer holds its treasures of wild meat, fish, homemade bread and soup, and our own veggies.

The basement stores jar after jar of jam, fruit, salsa, pickles and relish. Alongside the jars is the homemade wine. When the weather gets hotter, we’ll add some homemade beer to the mix.

Growing and making one’s own food is very pleasurable, in addition to being economical. There is a sense of contentment in enjoying tasty food and knowing where it comes from. There is a pride in reflecting “I did this, this is mine.”

Which is more important – local, organic, or cheap?

When making your choices in the produce department, which is most important to you – that the item is grown locally, is certified organic, or is inexpensive?

Locally grown produce can be found in season at several outlets – small grocery stores, farmers markets and farm stands. Not only are you adding dollars to the local economy, you are getting the freshest produce available.

Pros

Fresh
Reduced carbon footprint through less transportation


Cons

May be more expensive than foreign alternatives
May contain herbicide and pesticide residue

Certified organic produce can be purchased from as varied a landscape as from your farmer down the road to multi-national corporations’ newest offering in the grocery aisles. The produce is certified by an independent third party to be grown in accordance with rules such as prohibited use of chemicals.

Pros

Lower probability of herbicide and pesticide residue
Environmentally responsible


Cons

May be the most expensive option
May be transported a great distance


Inexpensive produce may originate locally or not, and may result from over supply, seasonality or low production costs.

Pros

More produce can be purchased if the cheapest options are chosen
Every penny counts, and it’s just lettuce

Cons

May not be the freshest or most environmentally responsible
So which is more important to you when you go shopping – local, organic or cheap?