I think EVERYONE in Italy has an “orto“, a small vegetable garden, if not at their home, somewhere.
As I take the train from Certaldo into Florence, I see thousands of vegetable gardens all along the tracks, some on real gardens others it looks like on confiscated land.
Nothing is more important than food in Italy. I am lucky as I have a market twice a week in the village where I buy my fresh fruits and vegetables from Francesca. Her farm is 10 minutes up the hill.
small view of some of the gardens at Francesca’s farmwe buy from her stand at the Cooking in Chianti Market to Table class on Wednesdays
I went to see her farm last week. It is not huge, just what she and her husband can maintain on their own as well as olive trees and vineyards.
Here are some shots of how my little orto is coming along.
Three chili pepper plants
one eggplant plant
6 cherry tomato plants and 6 san marzano tomato plants
three zucchini plants
two types of watermelon plants
We enjoyed our lettuces this winter and the peas were really special. We have already eaten zucchini and their blossoms on several occasions, not letting them get huge! Can’t wait to see what is ready next. This Saturday will also go and buy a couple of more plants. Not sure what yet. Another surprise!