The last week or two, I've been working on planting our fall garden. I really dislike that being a gardener means that for some of my moments, I'm not just living in the present but have to think ahead to the next season. Right now, even though we don't have even one full month of summer behind us, I have to think about autumn meals. This is bit of a drag, because I just want to revel in summer. I don't want to think about chilly days, thick sweaters, and lots of rain and clouds. I want to think about the beach, sunshine, the farmer's market, and cookouts.
But, when you're the food producer of the family, you have to think ahead. Otherwise, come October, I might come up short in the fresh produce department.
So, what have I been planning for an autumn garden? In spring, I planted Brussel sprouts, potatoes, pumpkin, and winter squash, all veggies which I expect will mature in fall. This week and last I started the fall kale, lettuce, Swiss chard, cauliflower, bunching onions, and beets. By the end of the month, I'll also add turnips to our fall veggies. And by mid-August, I'll seed more spinach and radishes.
Keeping a kitchen garden is my job, it's a hobby, as well as a hedge against emergency food insecurity. I've mentioned that it often feels like food is my J.O.B. It's not my entire job, but it is my responsibility for my family to always have food on hand, whether it's by shopping or growing. As a hobby, my kitchen garden is something that provides a satisfying personal challenge with tangible rewards. When my husband and I were young and dirt poor, we didn't have the finances for fun, but frivolous hobbies. So we chose hobbies that would be productive. Growing vegetables was one of my chosen hobbies.
As it turns out, this productive "hobby" is also a big part of our emergency contingency plan. This past year and a half has shown us that the future is never certain. We can think we'll be employed until we determine our retirement. But that can change as an economy shifts or physical or mental ability decline before we planned. The last 18 months has energized my desire to make our yard as productive as it can be. What I can say for this year's garden is that I have tried harder with all of the garden than in previous years. That may or may not result is the biggest harvest yet for me. But I have tried my hardest and used the sum of my experience, so far, in hopes of producing a large harvest. As for the future, I hope I never stop learning how to make our yard more productive. The learning aspect is the challenge for me, which is what makes keeping a garden as much of a hobby as it is my job.
The good news about my focus on planting for an autumn harvest these last two weeks is that now that's mostly behind me and I can transition back to summer thoughts. I think it's time to make a batch of ice cream.
How about you? What's your favorite "productive" hobby?
