Reviving old practices ~ Part 2

Exploring the world of organic food and natural medicine can be fascinating. I have observed emerging trend of using plants in dietary recommendations as well as in healing practices. The pandemic lock-downs contributed to relaxed lifestyle for many. I am aware that at the same time it created a havoc for others who lost their jobs, struggled with paying bills and educating kids from home, however, I was fortunate to keep the job and be more available for my family. With more time on my hands, I have also been able to tend to my vegetable garden this year, and enjoy the home grown produce. I realized that many others recognized the value of a healthy lifestyle and “work-from-home” way of earning income enabled them to better structure their work and personal life balance.

I am not sure if I had engaged myself in growing food with such a passion if I did not find the motivation in my memories. Despite growing up as a city kid, Polish lifestyle varies somewhat from the one I am living in the U.S. (or lived for quite a few years). Large segment of my parents’ generation came from villages, tired of farm life and finding work in the cities. However, they never lost connection or the sentiment to that life in harmony with nature. To create the balance between urban life and rural roots, the gardening organizations emerged offering a parcel within a farmland on the suburbs, approximately half an acre big for the city folks to purchase and maintain.

The gardens are sought after to this day.

My grandparents also had a vegetable garden where they worked daily. Their gardening knowledge was immense and their love for farming sincere. The variety of fruits and vegetables was large, and the crops were healthy and plentiful.

Now, I live in the countryside and flexible work-from-home schedule, motivated me to start the garden on my own. I grew my vegetables from seeds, beginning in February and transferred the first batch to the greenhouse in early May waiting for the month end to plant the rest in the open field. There have been tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, string beans, peas, red beets and onions growing. There were many discouraging moments however, which often happen to the inexperienced in the field. The animals can eat your crops, the plants may catch diseases, or just simply die if there is lack of nutrition in the soil. So honestly, growing food is hard work but the benefits of home-grown fruits and vegetables encourage more and more people to start their own little gardens. Many start small, from herbs or few tomato plants in the pots, maybe a zucchini plant and a blueberry bush. It does not really matter as long as they are engaged in the process and are able to taste the results.

Sadly, even though I greatly benefited from the harvest, I never learnt from my grandparents the nitty-gritty of growing my own food, how to prepare soil, what are the plants’ needs, or what to do when they look sickly. But I am determined. There is an overwhelming joy in every picked fruit or vegetable which grew because I planted and took care of it. I believe that with time I will learn from my mistakes and successes and will gain the knowledge comparable to my grandparents’.