Abuse in the Produce Aisle

A young lettuce grows in our garden
thanks to mild winter temperatures.

Yesterday, Punxsutawney Phil declared six more weeks of winter.  While I love winter, that groundhog ruined my otherwise beautiful day.  Do you know how long its been since we've had fresh lettuce?  I could buy lettuce from the grocery store.  But I won't.  The poor things that land in produce aisle make me want to weep.  They're sad and exhausted from their commute.  They've traveled hundreds (if not thousands) of miles.  Then to add insult to their already injuried souls, they are constantly blasted with cold water to maintain their freshness.  No wonder so much of it gets recalled.  For me, its abuse in the produce aisle.  My beloved has advised me to stay away from the grocery; as one of these days, I'll accuse Kroger of waterboarding their spinach.  (He's not joking.)

I could have a salad anytime I wanted from either a fast food chain or restaurant.  But like their cousins at the grocery, that lettuce has traveled many miles before landing on my plate.  Many restaurants use a chemical wash to help remove bacterial contaminates, because apparently water isn't good enough. That chemical wash only guarantees a gastric nighmare.  Feeling bloated? Order a salad.  Your problems will soon be resolved. 

If you think that you don't like salad or lettuce, I have to wonder if you've ever tasted real lettuce?  Lettuce grown in your backyard tastes crisp and crunchy.  Its favor explodes in your mouth like the opening chords of an Scorpions anthem.  It. Will. Rock. You.

Although ole' Punxsutawney Phil says otherwise, the weather in West Kentucky promises mild spring-like temperatures for the next few weeks. The winter weather has been so mild, a few of volunteer lettuces are growing in our garden.  Which is why I can't stop arguing with myself about whether or not I should sneak a few seeds in the ground.  Just think, my family could be nibbling on fresh lettuce in a few weeks.  The practical left-brained gardener in me is constantly reminding me that we're still 10 weeks from our frost free date.  Sowing seeds now is futile, it can (and probably will) snow in April and ruin the crop.  The artistic right-brained gardener in me says, "So? Let's show that groundhog a thing or two!"

The solution?  Give in and start a few lettuce seeds now.  I'll transfer them to containers when they're big enough.  On chilly nights, I can bring them inside to protect my crop.  I know that I'll be dragging those containers in and out for weeks.  But it will sooo be worth it.  I'll still start my main crop in early March, but if I can successfully get a few heads to grow now?  Priceless. Who needs a groundhog anyway?

Want to know more about Punxsutawney Phil?

http://food-hub.org/files/resources/Food%20Miles.pdf

Learn About Growing Lettuce from Mother Earth News


Learn How to Wash Lettuce without a Spinner

Seed Catalogs: Porn for Gardeners

Seed catalogs have become so glossy and well designed, I've heard them referred to as garden porn.  With their full-color, close-up photography providing lusty views of their latest offerings, it might be an appropriate description.  But they are great resources, especially you're clueless on where to begin.

Some seed catalogs provide amazing information about how to plant and how to harvest. Others don't provide anything, except their seed prices. At our house, those are the catalogs that get recycled first. However, there are a few that become dogearred, covered in highlighter, and dirt stained.

My favorite catalogs include a couple porn-esque editions: Bakers Creek Heirloom Seeds and D. Landreth Seed Company are beautifully designed and offer incredibly helpful information.  When they arrive in my mailbox during the madness of the holidays, I longingly admire their slick covers.  But I won't crack open their pages, choosing to save that joy for a snowy January afternoon.  With a simple pat, I place them on our buffet and wait for the appointed day.  New to our mailbox this year was John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds, which I already love.  Its delicate drawings and product descriptions are packed with details.

Companies that promote genetically modified seeds (GMO) get recycled immediately.  We prefer organic or heirloom seeds that would have been available when our grandparents or great grandparents were around.  We could buy seeds at our local coop or box store, which we've been known to do.  But there's something about receiving seeds in the mail.  Its like the packets were selected just for me, by the companies who sell them.

Every gardener starts planning next year's plot, almost as soon as they get seeds into the ground.  Which is why I've drawn an our garden on the computer, so I can modify the plan continuously.  Once January arrives and I begin earnestly reading and comparing varieties.  Adjusting my computer layout to accommodate more varieties or potential crops. Finally, when the planting balance is found, the gardening plan is finished, and seed orders are placed, I can set my seed starting calendar.
 
We'll start our seeds in about 4 weeks.  I am so excited to get started that its hard to resist the urge to jump start a few things.  What little experience I've gained has taught me to be patient.  Spring will be here soon enough and I can get my fingernails dirty again.  Until then, I'll keep turning those pages of opportunities and dream.