What you learn when you take up gardening?

In February 2019, I embarked on a personal gardening endeavour, driven by my desire to grow my own food. Despite lacking any familial background or experience in farming, I dedicated myself to honing my gardening skills. Even before the COVID lockdowns, I had already established a well-defined gardening strategy, incorporating a wide variety of seeds.

While I experienced consistent success with seeds, nurturing seedlings into thriving saplings and ultimately fruitful plants proved to be a challenging task that demanded substantial learning and patience. Although I have an insatiable appetite for knowledge, my inherent impatience posed a hindrance. To overcome this, I embraced a strategy of embracing failure—failing quickly and frequently—to accelerate my learning curve. This approach has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of what pitfalls to avoid, as well as a wealth of knowledge on successful gardening practices.

Throughout my journey, I have amassed a considerable repertoire of lessons learned, encompassing both what not to do and the precise actions and timing required to relish the fruits of my labour. However, amidst this wealth of knowledge, one concept that left an indelible mark on me is the "Ark of Taste."

The moment I encountered the Arc of Taste, it utterly captivated my imagination. My introduction to this concept occurred when a fellow gardener graciously shared seeds for an heirloom tomato that holds a distinguished place on the Ark of Taste. The experience was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

The Ark of Taste, a collection of traditional, culturally significant, and endangered food products from across the globe, represents an unparalleled celebration of our agricultural heritage. The inclusion of heirloom tomatoes from the Ark of Taste in my gardening repertoire opened my eyes to the extraordinary flavours and distinctive qualities these varieties possess.

By cultivating these heirloom tomatoes and other varieties endorsed by the Ark of Taste, I contribute to the preservation of biodiversity in our food system and become a custodian of cherished cultural and culinary traditions.

As I continue on my gardening journey, I eagerly anticipate the discovery and cultivation of numerous other remarkable and endangered food varieties that grace the Ark of Taste. This endeavour allows me to champion biodiversity, support local food traditions, and elevate my culinary experiences.

If you have any specific inquiries or if there are further aspects of the Ark of Taste or my gardening experiences you wish to explore, please do not hesitate to reach out. I am enthusiastic about sharing my expertise and insights.