Every time I walk through the produce section of a grocery store, I am always amazed at the variety of fruits and vegetables that are available to us at any time of the year. When you hear stories of how people used to get an orange in their stocking at Christmas, and what a special treat that was; and then you see the astonishing selection that is in the store , a selection that we likely take for granted much of the time, it is really a testament to how much smaller the world has become, and how lucky we are that it is!
The other day, a stroll through the produce department yielded our choice of at least four kinds of lettuce and spinach; radishes; four kinds of onions; three kinds of oranges; perhaps half a dozen varieties of potatoes; yams; several varieties of apples; three kinds of cucumbers; strawberries; pineapples; grapes the list went on and on, and sometimes we still can't decide what we would like to have! Let's make a new year's resolution that we will try one new fruit or vegetable each month. We don't have to buy a large quantity of our choice: just enough for a taste. If we like it, we can buy more next time. And if we don't, well, no harm done. Sometimes it seems intimidating to try something new, because we don't know how to prepare it. But our cookbooks have a wealth of information, and of course our computers can take us to the wonderful countries that all this exotic produce comes from, and we can find out everything we need to know. So are we agreed? We'll try at least one new thing each month; and if you are more daring and want to try two, or even three, more power to you!
Have you been browsing through your new seed catalogues? Once again, we have a golden chance to expand our horizons and try something new. Even if all you do is try a new kind of lettuce, and plant it in a flowerpot by your back door or on your balcony, you will be amazed at how exhilarating it is to seethe new growing habits and taste the new flavors of your new plant. There is nothing wrong with sticking to our tried and true favorites; but when you think that by the time we see a new type of seed offered in our seed catalogues, years have gone in to the development of that product. So we should at least give it a try!
The first meeting of the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society will be here before we know it, on Wednesday, February 16. Members, please take note of the new location: the Sunshine Room at SIGN on North Street. There's a great horticultural year ahead, with many great speakers on the slate, so mark that date down and plan to join us!
One of the most popular questions that our members have to answer is this one: do I have to be a member to come to the meetings? And the answer is no! If you are interested in gardening or horticulture, you are very welcome to join us. Of course, we'd be delighted if you decide you'd like to become a regular member. But if you just want to come and hear selected speakers that pertain to your area of interest, you are still welcome! Gardening is a very personal thing, isn't it. Some people enjoy getting together with other gardeners and sharing ideas and stories, while other gardeners prefer a more solitary approach. Whichever type of gardener you are, always remember that you are welcome at the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society.
Till next time, try that new produce item, browse through your seed catalogues, and expand your gardening horizons! Have a good week!
