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Quote of the Day: Kristin Kimball

July 10th, 2011

Food is the first wealth. Grow it right, and you feel insanely rich, no matter what you own. A frenchman once told me.

Kristin Kimball from The Dirty Life: A Memoir of Farming, Food, and Love

I’m feeling exceedingly rich today as I stroll through my edible garden looking at all the bounty that will be in my harvest basket this summer. The golden peas are at their end, only a few more remain to harvest, the rest will be left for seed. The tomatoes are hanging heavy on the vines, promising a bounty of tomato soup and BLT’s later this summer. I harvested the potato onions and am happy once again to have homegrown onions in the pantry, they will be joined by a variety of other onions as summer goes along.





It’s very true that growing your own isn’t just about the good food that you provide for yourself, although that is the greatest reward. You truly feel rich knowing that you don’t have to spend money on fresh vegetables. Growing your own food gives you a sense of freedom, a sense of security knowing that you can provide for yourself should it ever be a necessity.

How does growing some of your own food make you feel? secure? happy? rich?

14 Comments to “Quote of the Day: Kristin Kimball”
  1. Kathi on July 3, 2011 at 7:07 am

    I love that quote. It really is true.. I also feel proud as I see all my “babies” growing in the garden. I end up strolling through it more than once a day. I also love to share produce when my garden gives me too much at once.

    Reply to Kathi's comment

  2. alison@thisbloominglife on July 10, 2011 at 6:34 am

    The quote really speaks to me – its exactly why I’m extending the gardens. Thanks for reminding my why I’m going through the chaos amidst all the doubt.

    Reply to alison@thisbloominglife's comment

  3. Kathy on July 10, 2011 at 8:39 am

    Growing my own food is essential to me and my family and makes me feel safe and secure, content and happy!

    BTW, do the golden peas taste as good as they look? And do they stay tasty and tender even when large?

    Reply to Kathy's comment

    • Susy on July 10, 2011 at 8:41 am

      The golden peas are quite tasty. They’re tender when they get big and there’s not even a hint of bitterness to them. I’m quite happy with them and will be growing them again!

      Reply to Susy's comment

      • Kathy on July 10, 2011 at 9:16 am

        Thank you! I’m anxious to try them next year!

        to Kathy's comment

  4. Allison on July 10, 2011 at 9:17 am

    I’ve always felt that growing you own food is like magic. Even though I put tons of work into the garden, when I see the first veggies arrive, I’m so amazed! By the way, your tomatoes are crazy big. I have a few tomatoes growing, but wow!

    Reply to Allison's comment

    • Susy on July 10, 2011 at 1:41 pm

      Those are the largest tomatoes in the garden. Ironically they’re the shortest, smallest vines and they’re loaded with the largest tomatoes. It’s the Silvery Fir Tree tomato. Looks like it will be a great variety for the small garden.

      Reply to Susy's comment

      • Allison on July 10, 2011 at 9:41 pm

        I’ll have to keep that in mind. I’m growing several varieties this year, mostly based on your suggestions. :)

        to Allison's comment

  5. Vegetable Garden Cook on July 10, 2011 at 10:02 am

    And if you have children who eat from the veg garden, it feels even more special!

    Reply to Vegetable Garden Cook's comment

  6. KimH on July 10, 2011 at 1:06 pm

    Growing my own food definitely makes me feel secure, happy, and tranquil.. There is a satisfaction that cant be obtained any other way when Im harvesting food from the garden.
    I too take great comfort in the knowledge that I can go a long way to provide myself with foodstuffs if I really need to.

    Reply to KimH's comment

  7. Rhonda on July 10, 2011 at 2:19 pm

    It makes me feel content.

    Reply to Rhonda's comment

  8. shannon on July 10, 2011 at 8:18 pm

    Growing my own produce makes me feel accomplished, astonished and proud.

    Reply to shannon's comment

  9. Sincerely, Emily on July 11, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    Great quote and I do really agree with it and “feel” it most of the time. This spring garden hasn’t helped me in feeling the “wealth”. Mother Nature’s dry spell upon us has lead to a very stingy bounty. It will not make me give up. The fall planting will soon be upon us. Hopefully we will see some rain and I really will be able to plant a fall garden. If not, the winter garden is next. If we continue on this dry path it will mean changing the times of plantings and the things I plant. Also expanding the water collection to have enough water to use. Water seems to weigh heavily on my mind these days. Your garden photos are simply beautiful. I hope you too get some much needed rain soon.

    Reply to Sincerely, Emily's comment

  10. Keisha@Marshal Firth on July 12, 2011 at 5:09 am

    Gorgeous photos! It makes me feel very happy seeing those plants bud from flowers then into delicious fruits or vegetable!

    Reply to Keisha@Marshal Firth's comment

About

This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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