Patagonia Fruits & Vegetables

When was the last time you looked for an apple at the grocery store and couldn't find one? What about carrots or beets? 

Hey, what are you looking at?

Ever wonder why we can eat grapes year round or think about the fact that Michigan is not a place where one could grow bananas easily? So, why can we eat them in abundance? 

Leaves died last night in the first freeze to bring on fall

In my 2 weeks volunteering on an organic farm, I've reflected and want you to know that:

• I love the gratification of finding a bright orange carrot top, grabbing the leafy green tops and popping it out of the ground. It's extra exciting when it's a big one! Sorry to all you little guys that weren't quite ready but got pulled out in the excitement.

• Searching for cucumbers hiding under their big, slightly scratchy leaves is addictive. It's better to be addicted to organic cucumbers than to be addicted to, let's say, McDonald's french fries. No? 

• I'm over the bugs. Who cares if a bee/earthworm/earwig is around the lettuce while I'm taking out weeds and turning the toil? They live there, I don't! Earwigs are and will always be so gross.

• A vegetable garden is the best natural grocery store there is! Rows of lettuce, legumes, beets, parsley, carrots, snap peas, chard, potatoes. 

Whatever these legume/beans are, I can eat you EVERY day 

Name this herb! 

Salivating over all these freshies? It's hard work and my hands are dirty. But it is rewarding. We weed and the weeds just don't stop. We rake horse poop and spread sheep *hit to feed the compost. And we also get to take what we want from the garden to eat that day! If WWOOFing has crossed your mind, I recommend that you go for it!

I've learned about using old plastic bottles for individual greenhouses, using sheep wool to keep out bugs (good) but it also keeps out water (not good), that basil grows well close to tomatoes, that zucchini grows like bacteria: quick! and bitter lettuce does not taste good.

And in one cold summer night, the giant cucumber and zucchini leaves had no chance, the garden is asleep until next season.

One last grocery run….