Garden Blooms with Blueberries: Week Ending 7-20-25
In the heart of the season, a dedicated individual embarks on a daily routine that blends agriculture and animal care. Known for their love for the outdoors and nurturing spirit, this person's day begins early, often at 7am, as they step out to tend to their blueberries and garden produce.
On this particular Friday, the speaker harvested a diverse bounty, including cucumbers, blueberries, pumpkins, radishes, beets, beans, colourful bell peppers, purple lettuce, corn on the cob, and tomatoes. The day's harvest was not just for personal consumption; the speaker shared a damaged pumpkin with the big chickens.
After a hearty dinner, the speaker ventured near the house to pick more blueberries, a task that often extends into the garden where they also collect squash bugs and Japanese beetles. These unwanted pests become a treat for the chicks.
The workday is not confined to the hours of sunlight. Rain or shine, the speaker adapts, as was evident during the blueberry eating contest, which took place amidst a rain shower.
The day is divided into two main segments: crop and animal care. Approximately half the time is spent actively working in the fields or garden, from picking blueberries or other produce to checking crop health and maintaining plant beds. The remaining hours are dedicated to the chickens, involving feeding, collecting eggs, cleaning coops, and ensuring their well-being.
The work is physically demanding, often structured around daylight hours and climate conditions. Workers like the speaker must adapt their daily activities accordingly, balancing the workload efficiently, sometimes with the help of assistants.
In the late afternoon, the speaker weeds the garden and tends to the chickens and chicks, ensuring they are snug for the night by 8:30. The day concludes with the speaker listening to podcasts while picking blueberries for another 2 hours, the chicks following closely, eagerly waiting to snatch any dropped blueberries.
The garden is a constant source of pride, with each day bringing new growth and harvests. The speaker's son, for instance, is particularly proud of the corn he grew and cooked about 12 pieces for lunch. The garden also faces its challenges, such as the loss of two pumpkins to deer, a reminder of the delicate balance between nature's bounty and its predators.
The speaker's dedication extends beyond their own property, as they visit Blueberry Hill every day to pick blueberries and garden produce. The day's harvest is then prepared for preservation, with the speaker chopping up cucumbers, tomatoes, figs, squash, and peppers for the freezer.
In the quieter moments, the speaker finds solace in the reading spot, where Tilly was seen reading her new scriptures, and Maddie was seen working in her journal. The rhythm of the day, a harmonious blend of work and tranquility, continues to unfold, a testament to the spirit of resilience and nurturing that defines this unique lifestyle.
- The speaker's lifestyle involves not only tending to their crops and animals but also incorporating cooking into their daily routine, preparing delicious meals using the fresh produce from their garden.
- On weekdays, the speaker spends a significant portion of their afternoon working on home-and-garden projects, such as preserving food-and-drink items like cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers for future use.
- In the evening, after homemade food, the speaker engages in gardening activities, like picking blueberries for recipes or ensuring the well-being of their chickens, establishing a beautiful connection between their food-and-drink choices and their home-and-garden lifestyle.
