Why Not Grow Them Yourself?

Learning about raw foodJunko Fukuokaled me to attend her raw food cooking classes, try fasting, and become interested in "gut health," among other things (as featured in the series from March-May, August, and September). Vegetable cultivation is another one of those interests. I've always loved raw vegetables; if I go more than two days without them, I start to feel restless. Since starting raw food, my vegetable intake has increased dramatically. This led to a desire not just for more, but for fresher vegetables, which in turn sparked the idea: "Why not grow them myself?"

However, I'm a complete novice when it comes to gardening. Even if I could rent a plot from the ward, I'd be at a loss about what to do. I searched for a place that would not only rent me land but also teach me, and I found one! They provide all the necessary tools and fertilizers, such as shovels, stakes, watering cans, and soil amendments, and have professional instructors on-site to teach vegetable cultivation. Plus, they don't use chemical fertilizers, so it met my requirements 120%! It's called "Seijo Agris." It's about a 30-40 minute drive from my house, so it's a bit far... And the annual fee is a little high... "But there's nowhere else like it, and I can think of it as tuition!" I decided, and immediately signed up.

My Garden Cultivation Begins, Amidst Initial Bewilderment!

First, I had to choose my plot. The vast grounds are divided into four types of garden plots, and you can choose the size you prefer. I opted for a regular-sized 6㎡ plot. However, it was early August, the height of summer, too early to plant autumn vegetables. Following the advice to choose from several regular-sized plots where staff were growing summer vegetables, and enjoy harvesting them, I selected my "my garden"! It was planted with three types of tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, basil, and molokhia, all laden with fruit. "This will be my garden for a year..." I thought, feeling incredibly happy!

I was eager to start harvesting, but then I realized I didn't even know how to pick them! I started my gardening journey with instruction on the very basics. Oh, and on that first day, a staff member showed me how to sow seeds for two types of carrots in a small, empty space. I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to do it on my own, even with a book.

I Tried Planting Home Onions, Broccoli, Cabbage, Lettuce, and Spinach

Although I started with enthusiasm, the work was tough in the summer heat, even though my main tasks were just harvesting and watering. Moreover, an eggplant that was small one day had become too large and tough by the next, and tomatoes had become overripe and fallen off the vine. I was reminded anew that agriculture is about working in harmony with nature, not according to my own schedule. "Home gardening" is quite demanding. But the vegetables I harvested at the perfect moment were incredibly delicious! So much so that I felt I could never eat store-bought ones again (though perhaps anything you grow yourself tastes delicious).

Then, starting in late August, I began removing the spent summer vegetables from the roots and planting autumn vegetables. In other words, this was the start of the vegetables I would grow from scratch. First, home onions. Next, broccoli and cabbage were planted as seedlings. These are brassicas, prone to aphids, so they require protective netting tunnels. After being shown how to do this, I was told, "Please remove any bugs you find." I worried, "Oh no, can I really pick off caterpillars?" But to my surprise, when I found one on the underside of a broccoli leaf for the first time, I calmly and instantly removed it with my hand (wearing gloves, of course), exclaiming, "Hey! You can't do that!" Normally, I'd be screaming, "Ew, gross!" But when I realized my own vegetables were being eaten, I became completely unfazed.

I also planted three types of lettuce from seedlings, and decided to grow spinach, savoy spinach, and daikon radish from seed. The first thing I harvested that I had grown myself was leaf lettuce. I was surprised when a white liquid oozed out as I cut the base of the plant. I suppose it's like blood for humans (excuse the strange analogy). As I was marveling at the simple fact that "vegetables are alive," it struck me: "Ah, this must be what they call Living Food!"

Raw Food vs. Living Food

Living food is often compared to raw food. While raw food means "uncooked food," living food refers to "food that is alive." So, perhaps living food means prioritizing foods that are close to being alive, like fresh vegetables. I'm not entirely sure of the difference between the two diets, but in either case, eating freshly harvested, living vegetables raw is healthy, so I suppose I'm practicing both diets.

My ultimate dream is to grow all my own food and live a lifestyle where I can eat freshly picked fruits and vegetables. For now, I'll spend the year at "Agris Seijo," building knowledge and experience while learning how to grow autumn and summer vegetables. It's still a long way to my dream... but one step at a time!

Oh, and the other thing I started this year is learning something new. I attend classes once a month and submit reports every month, which is quite challenging! I might fail next September... which would be embarrassing, so I'll talk about it more when I can see the path ahead!