Celebrating Our Native Harvest

10/2/2022

What is a farm? What is a garden? The European settlers on this and other continents thought they knew, and so missed out on learning techniques we are just now rediscovering. I invite you to discover some of them with me in this space over the next year.

October is a beautiful time of harvest and celebration. Each ear of corn is like a wrapped present, with different glowing colors within. Each squash will be a sweet treat in the depths of winter. A bag of dry beans is heavy with real wealth. As we lay them by safe for the winter, let's offer our thanks to those who did the real work of creating these crops from unpromising weeds, too small or bitter to be worthwhile food. With a digging stick, an observant eye, and a sharp mind, they created our crops. Happy Indigenous Peoples Day, 2022.

3 Comments

val dambacher

10/10/2022 08:22:37 am

Hi Jamie,
I have never been disappointed with the seeds you have sent us. Thank you so much for continuing the work you do! I appreciate that you have a quality seed selection, and often I've found seeds you have that no one else has. Best wishes for you in your new digs!

Jamie Chevalier

10/11/2022 01:29:02 am

So glad to hear you've had good results! We are always on the lookout for unusual varieties that fill a real need. I'm glad you've enjoyed our selection, and hope that if you think of new possibilities for us to try, you let me know. Some we are looking at now include perennial grains and heirlooms from Africa. Gardening is an endless process of discovery!

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4/15/2025 02:17:06 am

Great insights, thanks for sharing! I’ve written something similar here – would love your thoughts.

Author

Jamie Chevalier lives and gardens on a river in the Coast Range of Northern California. She has gardened professionally in Alaska and California, as well as living in a remote cabin, commercial fishing, and working with seeds. She is the proprietor of Quail Seeds.