Must tell that I always liked to work in our Dutch garden, but just to enjoy it like it was, a garden.
Never thought of growing my own vegetables, however we had a walnut, an apple and a collapsing :-) pear tree .
Things change, as since we live in Dalmatia, we not only own 2000 sq. meters of land but are also blessed with amazing conditions (sun, natural water and great soil).
Not (yet) having goats, sheep or chickens, part of our land is in use by friends, an other part "just" grass and herbs, and still we've got plenty space to grow and experiment growing our own food.
Potatoes, tomatoes, melons, cucumbers, peppers, various herbs, carrots, corn, salads, and a couple more, including planted young fruit trees, a walnut, and a couple of lemons in containers.
(Could try to keep them lemons outside during winter, but our valley is just a tiny bit colder than other valleys around,
so "better be safe than stupid").
so "better be safe than stupid").
Already I am delighted with the results of some experiments, reproducing seeds from peppers bought at Lidl, planting a piece of ginger bought in Kaufland, and harvesting seeds from our salads, I got myself a load of special seeds in Holland.
Had to be in Holland to straighten out a couple of things, and after doing so, couldn't resist to enjoy myself visiting a amazing store to cheer myself up a bit.
The name: www.vreeken.nl , an old family business with I believe the third generation in the middle of what I might call veggies paradise (however I like my steak medium rare).
Spent three hours there, slowly moving through a collection of unbelievable size and quality.
Gonna have to explain my wife how I could reduce our reserves that fast, but trust me, she'll find out when the results start to grow.
I rest my case, so to say,
as I never argue with my wife unless it's absolutely urgent.
(Nice dress dear, nice shawl, nice new haircut too :-).
as I never argue with my wife unless it's absolutely urgent.
(Nice dress dear, nice shawl, nice new haircut too :-).
Guess my British readers know their stuff already, having Kew Gardens and a typical British gardening tradition normal to old colonials, to me this Dutch store was like heaven on earth.
Next year will be an unforgettable one, once all them new plants start to produce, and even more, I can't wait to start reproducing seeds from them all, expanding my experiments, trials and errors, so friends in our valley can make an extra Kuna selling the delicious results to let's say the better restaurants around Omis
(yes there are one or two, when you look better).
(yes there are one or two, when you look better).
My advise to each and everyone: GROW YOUR OWN !
You don't have to start big, a simple tomato already works, adding a cucumber next year adds to the fun, and perhaps one day you decide to expand your trials like I did, as it is exiting, tasty, healthy and makes you a happy person !
PS.
Lucky me, I like and know how to prepare a nice/good/tasty dinner, so I'll certainly try every new result myself first.
Chocolate paprika's, white carrots, purple strawberries,
Svinisce, here they come !
Svinisce, here they come !
And thanks Ton Vreeken and team, in the old town of Dordrecht, for making those three hours of my day, in wow, what a store !!!!
(However in Dutch, worth a view: http://vreeken.nl )
