Grow Your Own
The best terroir of all is our own garden. A fresh-picked tomato will convert even the most dedicated supermarket shopper every time. A state agricultural extension agent or local master gardener will know what grows best in area gardens. Consider growing heirloom
varieties of fruits and vegetables for greater flavor and color. A good resource is Seed Savers Exchange (
SeedSavers.org), a northern Iowa farm that acts as a collective for members who use and save thousands of variet- ies of seeds. Its yearbook lists member gardeners and their comments on their success with various types of plants.
Extending the Season Farmers and gardeners in ev-
ery region have ways to extend the growing season. Kitchen gardeners have used cloches (glass bells put over tender plants to ward off the cold), cold frames (south-facing raised beds protected against the cold) and greenhouses. Many organic farmers now use poly- tunnels (which function as portable greenhouses) that allow them to get crops in the ground sooner and extend the end of the season. We can also continue to savor seasonal bounty by preserving the harvest. Farm wives and garden- ers who understand the realities of feast and famine, glut and scar- city turn excess yields into what they call “value-added products.” Cucumbers become pickles; basil
mixes into pesto; tomatoes provide a base for salsa. They also freeze fresh, whole berries on cookie sheets, then move them to contain- ers to store in the freezer. Local state agriculture extension services offer free detailed information about preserving foods.
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