Monday 1 October 2012

This isn't gardening any more...

I've come to the realize that what I'm slogging away at out in the garden isn't gardening any more.  It's officially Food Production.  While that may not sound much different, my aching back and my calloused hands assure me it is.


This is a scene that gets repeated each day, day in day out...  carrots are dug, pulled up,  greens are stripped, they're tossed in the box, hauled to the hose, dumped, washed and reloaded into baskets to carry inside.   There, they are scrubbed, bagged and finally, stored in the fridge downstairs.  Potatoes are a little easier - no washing or bagging - just box them and put them in the dark, cold corner of the garage.



Oh, the mental wresting I'm doing lately...  it's hard work digging potatoes and carrots from our heavy clay soil day after day.  I'm not whining or complaining...  I'm just saying, that this is serious WORK.  I had a few days of feeling sorry for myself, wondering why on earth I'm busting my chops to grow so much food when we *could * buy what we need.  Then I'd have more time for the million other tasks that need my attention right now.  But like a newborn baby that cries loudly to be fed, these veggies won't keep where they are.  Frost is on it's way and just like a new mother drops what she's doing to feed her baby, I too, am leaving my life behind while I tend to harvesting.

Growing healthy, non genetically modified, organic food to feed a family through the winter is not easy.  Anyone who says it is must know a secret that I don't :)  It's rewarding and satisfying, oh, absolutely, but there is NO denying it, the workload is heavy for one person.

I've come to realize that all this time spent growing food from seed to table is really what we all NEED a little more of.  The general population doesn't give food much thought short of driving to the store, buying it and hauling it home.  As a society, we spend far more time watching television each day than we do sourcing healthy food.  That, in my opinion, is a very grave mistake.

If you don't already know, genetically modified crops are in a very large selection of foods that people buy and consume every day in North America.  Educate yourself on the issue and fight it!  Buy organic food as locally as possible.  KNOW your producers and KNOW what is in your food!  Know how those GMOs affect your health in the short and long term.  Grow your own food, using NON GENETICALLY MODIFIED seed and secure yourself a supply of fresh, delicious, organic food.

It's hard work, YES, but one can't put a price on human and environmental health.  As an added bonus, homegrown food tastes SO MUCH BETTER than store bought.


These strawberries were gobbled down in mere minutes (to the sound of contented groans) when the kids got home from school today.  No store bought berry can even come close to the flavour and juicy sweetness of these homegrown beauties :)







12 comments:

  1. wow, that is a massive harvest of carrots! Its hard work, but so worth it for the taste of fresh quality produce. We just have to keep reminding ourselves how lucky we are when we're sweating out in the garden!!

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    1. Liz, that's just yesterday's harvest. Every day, I process the same amount - a wagon full. :) Yes, we are lucky - lucky to have land to grow on, lucky to be well and healthy enough to dig them and lucky to be free to CHOOSE this lifestyle.

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  2. I echo your thoughts but you are really doing the best for your family. You know what goes into the production of them and there is really no taste like home grown veg!! Well done you, yes it is easier to buy but even if everyone only grew one or two veggies of their own they would notice a huge difference in the taste and the satisfaction of growing their own is amazing.

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    1. For sure, Anne... the taste difference alone is reason enough to grow your own, but as I learn more about GM food, that is now my primary motivation (to avoid it at all costs).

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  3. I can imagine the work Sherri, your growing season is squashed into such a small time frame! Never mind, rest is on the way and nothing can compare with what you are harvesting -- literally & figuratively.

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    1. Oh, YES, blessed rest snuggled up with my new Grand baby! Can't wait XO

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  4. You have such big harvests Sherri! I do know what you mean though...i sometimes wonder about all the work...especially when the wallabies munch it all down....but seeing the twins faces when they recognise vegies and fruit and pick them from the garden is so priceless.
    Well done on all the effort you put in....it is important work x

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    1. Jode - you deserve an award for gardening and producing food with twin toddlers alongside you! That is NO small feat XO I can only imagine how busy you are with those sweet little girls... keep up the good work - it IS worth it :)

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  5. Boy howdy, it really is a TON of work! You worked it good this year!! :) Wishing your daughter-in-law a healthy labor and happy delivery (and you some well-deserved R&R).
    -Jaime

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    1. Yes, Jaime and you're doing it with a baby! Hats off to you, my bloggie friend. Thanks for the kind wishes for my DIL :)

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  6. That is an impressive haul! I'd love to be able to produce that much. Your strawberries look a amazing! Mine are just starting to produce. Your doing an amazing job as a backyard farmer!

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    1. Thank you :) This is the first year that our strawberries produced a significant amount - it has taken 3 years for them to get really established. Worth the wait, though!

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