Summer Abundance

We are well into summer and vine-ripened fruits and vegetables are in great abundance. 

Slovakia should be called the "garden state." It has fertile soil, an plethora of farmers, and perfect weather for growing crops. Everywhere we look there are backyard gardens, fruit tree orchards, and farm fields as far as the eye can see.

As the summer sun drapes the treetops the fruit is ripening and turning sweet. The fields along the roadways are full with dark green vegetables or golden grain crops. Every hectare of rural land appears utilized for growing food.

Most Slovaks are involved in growing some of their own food. With low wages and government handouts people subsidize their groceries with a garden. A home without a garden is unusual. 

Slovaks are proud of their well-manicured gardens. On our walks we see dozens of homeowners working in their gardens, bent over at the waist. Compost piles are very popular along with rain water basins. They love to show off their green thumbs.

One morning, we were walking by a neighborhood and admiring some plum trees. An older man who was working in his yard overheard us talking and popped his head up. We greeted him with "Dobry den" a Slovak greeting.

He invited us into his yard to show us his garden. We walked under an awning of white grapes and back to his small orchard of fruit trees. He pointed to a peach tree and motioned for us to take one, wow it was delicious. His flowers were amazing too. I noticed a few of his garden tools leaning next to the shed. Don't you love the twig brooms?

The Slovakia soil, weather and moisture are ideal to be a successful gardener. The plants literally grow themselves. The rain seems to soak the soil just enough and we never see water sprinklers or signs of drought.

This month we see the branches heavy with fruit bending down begging to be picked. 

Even along rural country roads we see hundreds of fruit trees growing wild.

Yesterday, we stopped and picked yellow and red plums and apples miles from any houses. We were told these fruit trees were planted decades ago along the path for people walking to town or out in the fields.

The outdoor farmer markets are very popular along with dozens of stores that offer only vegetables and fruits. Everything is weighed by kilos and priced with euros so we rarely know what the cost is per pound.

This is peak season, so many choices for fresh grown produce. I am particularly fond of the red ripe tomatoes. I love tomato sandwiches with mayonnaise on soft bread and sprinkle with salt. We both love them. It tastes like summer.

This simple child's song comes to mind when I see the bounty of God's goodness growing in Slovakia.

Thank thee for the world so sweet;
Thank thee for the food we eat;
Thank thee for the birds that sing;
Thank thee, God, for everything!