On Harvesting

It is the time of year which popular culture refers to as "harvest time" though for those of us who grow, the truth is: we harvest continuously. We work that soil as quickly as we can and plant "as soon as danger of frost has passed". The season for spring peas and early lettuce? That was APRIL. Many of us do successive planting and get multiple crops of lettuce, radishes, peas and beans though we know that in July, they fight us by bolting, wanting the slower, less-lit cooler weather. No matter. We harvest what we get and we say thank you.

In one small corner of my property, I have a small raspberry patch. Small but sincere, truly. Probably 64 square feet, total.  It has been a prolific spot and I grow a variety that produces twice per season. The first burst of berries usually arrives right on July 4th every year. It is a short spurt of production and is done by the first of August. Then in early September, another round of berries comes on and goes until frost ends the party. We are in the waning days now. No frost yet but fewer and fewer berries get picked each time. Yesterday I picked about a cup and I think that may have been the last one-cup trip for the season. After this, it will be a measly handful or two.

The thing about picking your own raspberries or anything, is that it gets you to really look at each item as you touch it. You contemplate its ripeness, its shape, its color, so many factors that go into it as it has developed. Look at the curious shape of the stem or branch, after you have picked something. The architecture of it can be astonishing.

I need to address a couple of elephants in the room here: First of all, I am insanely aware that there are thousands of humans -- migrant workers and others - who do this work for little or no money, who don't have the luxury of time or anything else to be able to stop and contemplate any of this. Farm work -- even in the best of circumstances -- is physically hard, hard work.  There is no way that my experience can compare or be anything except one of choice and privilege. I know this and I own it.

But the other piece is that family farmers at their core, do get this. Farmers *do* look at what they grow and are as gob-smacked by the beauty as the rest of us. If you can grow something, anything, even if it's just one pot of basil on your window, do it. And if you can't grow something yourself, there are lots of pick-your-own farms. (Again, this is a privilege - some of these places are really glorified amusement parks) I know that sometimes, it seems like you pay more to do the work of picking something yourself -- apples are one example -- but if you do research, you can find out who stands behind each farm. I know of several family farms that I want to support. They have been on their land for years and sometimes generations. They do integrated pest management, rather than use pesticides so though they may not be legally designated organic, for all purposes, they are. I want to support them and keep them in business. I also believe in voting with my dollars. They care and you can, too.

So my encore for the day? If you can go pick something yourself --apples and pumpkins are still an option now in parts of New England -- go do it. Look at what you are touching. Stop and see the branches, the leaves, the fruit, the flowers. It's a miracle. Every time.