As a farmer for the past four years, I’ve gained a lot of confidence in my abilities as a vegetable grower, especially during this second year of the build-up program. This year, I’m excited to focus on growing more pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and corn. Last year’s harvest was incredible! There’s something so rewarding about having an abundance of food to share with neighbors and friends. I’m particularly proud of still having frozen bell and sweet peppers in my freezer.
After several unsuccessful attempts in previous years, I finally succeeded last year, thanks to BIU for providing the right plant varieties, timelines, and guidance on disease control. Growing has never been easier!
One of my favorite dishes is a stir fry featuring a mix of bell peppers, sweet peppers, and a touch of spicy peppers, all sautéed with beef. It’s a delicious way to enjoy my harvest! I’m also looking forward to attending the canning classes this year—something I missed out on last year. Although I attempted canning on my own, the results weren’t great. This year, I hope to improve my skills, especially with cucumbers, beets, and homemade tomato sauce.
However, managing garden diseases and insects organically remains a challenge, particularly with Japanese beetles. They’ve become a nightmare for me every year. I often have to shake each plant to collect the bugs into a bucket to feed my chickens. While it’s a good source of food for them, the process is incredibly time-consuming. I’m eager to find better solutions for managing these pests! Let’s make this gardening season the best one yet!
Winnie Li