The Secret Is…Things Being Homegrown!

I was riding in the car with some co-workers just the other day and we were talking tomatoes.

What is it about homegrown tomatoes that just absolutely cannot be imitated by store-bought or even greenhouse-grown?

How can it be that the tiny green plant started in May, who lives under the hard rain, hot sun, all the unpredictable elements, produces THE BEST TASTING TOMATO?

I’m no pro! I’m no tomato guru!

And yet the juicy, meaty, fresh tomato that comes off my plant is the best I will have all year!?

And then the conversation turned to green beans.

Those simple little veggies.

Why do the ones that come fresh out of our garden and go right on top of the salad taste ‘other-worldly’ while the others are just a small hint at the real thing?

The fresh snap of the homegrown bean, its sweet fresh texture, the moist crunch that is nature’s hydration powder—how can that all have come from a pack of seeds that I threw down months ago and really kinda forgot about?!

What is it about homegrown?

Later the same day, I joined my family for an evening at the Kent County Youth Fair.

The grounds were flooded with exhibits of flowers, veggies, crafts, and sooo many animals that these kiddos have been preparing to show at the fair.

4-H members from 4 to 18 years old were running around doing chores, sweeping aisles, washing cows, shearing sheep, showing horses, living the big ol’ fair experience.

They all brought a bit of their homegrown to the fair to show off and share with all of us!

The talent show was in full swing, the ‘10 and under’ division lasting over an hour.

One little guy sang every single verse of “Amazing Grace” with a gusto that seemed to come from a time gone by.

His strong voice resounded through the tent, he was not afraid of the sound that song made, on and on he sang the verses just as powerfully as ever.

I don’t know who he is, but from the song he sang that night I would make a confident guess that he has homegrown “roots” somewhere close by.

The things that are homegrown have a stronger, truer, fuller, and oh-so-alive quality to them.

They are the full version of the thing.

Not pretend, not half-way, but the whole thing right there.

That complete juicy tomato.

The perfect crunchy green bean.

A county fair bustling with young life.

The song of a young boy forging his way ahead.

And we have a bit of our own Grow Club homegrown to share with all of you!

Our next Garden Morning is this Saturday, August 8 from 10am-12pm!

This is an open-house style event, so come when you can and stay as long as you like!

Tickets are just $10 for the whole family! And that gets you a pass for the run of the garden, produce harvesting, flower picking, game playing, and bug hunting!

🎟️Family tickets are HERE!

This homegrown produce is ready in the garden this week!

–fresh dill for you take home if you have some more pickling to do! Or just to enjoy fresh! *it makes an incredible infused-water choice

–swiss chard that has regrown after we trimmed it! These greens can be enjoyed steamed and are loaded with iron.

-Oh so many flowers! And that means lots of bouquets that are ready to be made to decorate your home!

-Even the tomatoes are starting to ripen and the first batch needs a home!

Not to mention the carrots, basil, beans, and cucumbers that are still ripening too!

Check out this goose-necked gourd that decided to be the chandelier of our tunnel!

Let’s hope for some more gorgeous weather. 🤞

I would love to see you and the whole family this Saturday!

Let’s load you up with homegrown fresh produce for the week ahead!

Until Saturday!