I was raised in a small town on a larger-than-usual allotment. As children my brothers and I had ample room to play on the 4-5 acre property and often got into mischief; Stories for another time. We also had to pitch in with the chores etc. You get the idea. It was a wholesome upbringing surround by our parents and maternal grand-parents.
We grew much of what we consumed: Corn, tomatoes, pumpkin, beetroot, zucchini, capsicum, carrots, cucumbers, cabbage, green beans, broccoli, lettuce, herbs etc. and of course chickens which meant eggs. I can recall days in the vegetable garden toiling away preparing soil, spreading manure, tying-back, trimming, and harvesting. It was a family event and was enjoyable. The harvest was the most exciting although I can remember checking on the seeds I planted every hour or so to see if they were up yet...Boring, but exciting when they popped up days later.
The produce, although I didn't know it at the time, tasted better. Looking back I wish I could tell my young-self to live it up as those days were numbered. Produce has become bland and tasteless through the drive for greater profits. I have to say now that I yearn for those days, those simple times with my family around doing family things. Chopping wood, watching my mum baking bread, eating meals together (minus the TV), getting help with homework or playing Lego...generally just doing family stuff. Gardening was a big part of that for me.
I think being a part of the process of preparing soil, planting, growing and harvesting a lot of what we ate made us appreciate eating it more and certainly the time spent together with the family has left an indelible mark on me. I understand times are different but we can still find a similar experience in today's world. Take your family to a farmers market each week for instance, come home and cook together. Eat your meals with the television off and spend some time after dinner conversing. Make the effort to spend a little more time with each other. Your children will appreciate it now and later in life.
Ok. That's it.
I hope you enjoy reading my posts.
Image source's: plantation.org & pcwallart.com