Produce Tips:

I know that this is a gardening blog; however, I don't think it would be quite fair to keep 30 years as a produce man and what I've learned about fruits and veggies a secret.

We live in a time where science seems to be more to the forefront than common sense.

Not that science is so bad...it's just not great when it comes to our food.

In this day and age, most of the Produce we eat from our local markets is what I call "Forced Grown". Scientist say that our top soil has been depleted and now we face a situation where products can't receive the necessary nutrients they need to produce on their own. You can read a very interesting story on this fact at : http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/348200_dirt22.html?source=mypi I won't get into all the science of soil, but just know that we need it in agriculture. My point on the subject is that the nutrition that we would normally receive from the market fruits and vegetables is being depleted in our foods along with the soil. Therefore in order for the large crop growers to continue to grow our food on the same ground year after year...it has to be fed chemical fertilizers in order to produce. Many folks think that the chemicals can be washed off and that it's alright to consume. And I am here to report that some of it can be. But remember that the chemicals are placed in the soil as well as on the Produce, so getting rid of all the chemicals in your food you might say is "fruitless".

However, I do offer you this one tip in purchasing Produce at your local grocery store. Bring it home and wash it before you put it away or consume it. You don't have to buy those expensive Produce Wash products either. Just run a sink full of very luke -warm water and a small amount of dish soap. This will work every bit as well as some of those expensive products on the market. Don't take for granted that everything has been washed at the packers. Just think of how many people has touched that Red Delicious Apple before you picked it up for purchase. If even only five people handled it before you purchased it...you also have purchased their little germs. And the added benefit is that your veggies will last a little longer in the fridge because you have re-hydrated them. Have a nice day!