Many years ago I planted potato crops with my grandfather every spring here on the farm where we now live. I've had an on-again, off-again relationship with planting potatoes. Tried container growing them last year and my conclusion was: never again. I have a lovely crop in the ground this year. A friend once asked me why I plant potatoes when I can get a 10# bag at the store for a couple bucks. That question has made me think about why I plant what I plant but I always come to the opposite conclusion - why would I buy it at the store when I have everything I need to grow it myself? I think there are two classes of people, those who like to do it themselves and those who don't. No judgment, just different. But the knowledge to do it yourself is priceless.
We grow things ourselves because being dependent on someone else to grow them for us seems like a bad idea... too risky. Plus, I've never had store-bought potatoes stay good for 9 months like ours do.
I've heard people say the same about tomatoes, lettuce, meat... everything. I see their point but we're thinking long term and we pay attention to historical trends.
Stores aren't as reliable as people think they are, which is going to be a hard lesson for most.
I totally agree about the reliability (or unreliability) of outside sources for our food! We are not self-sufficient by a long shot but we could survive with what we have and know how to do. Our biggest problem is weather - something we really can't control but have to plan for worst-case-scenario (drought, etc).
"To be young when you're old you must first be old when you're young." I'm not sure who said that, but I recognize it in your story and in my Grandfather as well. We were lucky to have them in our lives. <3
Many years ago I planted potato crops with my grandfather every spring here on the farm where we now live. I've had an on-again, off-again relationship with planting potatoes. Tried container growing them last year and my conclusion was: never again. I have a lovely crop in the ground this year. A friend once asked me why I plant potatoes when I can get a 10# bag at the store for a couple bucks. That question has made me think about why I plant what I plant but I always come to the opposite conclusion - why would I buy it at the store when I have everything I need to grow it myself? I think there are two classes of people, those who like to do it themselves and those who don't. No judgment, just different. But the knowledge to do it yourself is priceless.
I like your attitude!
We grow things ourselves because being dependent on someone else to grow them for us seems like a bad idea... too risky. Plus, I've never had store-bought potatoes stay good for 9 months like ours do.
I've heard people say the same about tomatoes, lettuce, meat... everything. I see their point but we're thinking long term and we pay attention to historical trends.
Stores aren't as reliable as people think they are, which is going to be a hard lesson for most.
I totally agree about the reliability (or unreliability) of outside sources for our food! We are not self-sufficient by a long shot but we could survive with what we have and know how to do. Our biggest problem is weather - something we really can't control but have to plan for worst-case-scenario (drought, etc).
That's wonderful!
Weather is a frightening and uncontrollable factor. We have a lot of fires here, too. We pray a lot. :-)
Tubers for ever....
Even after he moved to St. Catherines town, opposite
Niagra Falls, my Grandpa orig. from Quebec had his 'back 40' of 'potats'.
The cat was called Mineau. Lawrent and May, they stuck it out to the
end, in the city, but never changed inside.
I am glad I caught the glimpse
I did of their resistance, their existance as moved to the city.
Grandpa was awesome to
be around, he always talked to his grandkids, his 'pets' he would
call us...for fun, He saw a face, once, in the knees of a
model in a Underwear advertisement...and pointed it
out to me. He broke though more than most
grownups ever did...imagination leading....best
"To be young when you're old you must first be old when you're young." I'm not sure who said that, but I recognize it in your story and in my Grandfather as well. We were lucky to have them in our lives. <3