What is Terroir?
Growing a Garden is a Lifetime of Learning Experiences
"Terroir" is a French term which means land but is used to describe the most vital components in both food and drink production., from wine to cherries to cheese to tea. Basically, it is the complete natural environment that it is "grown" in, representing both the physical, biological, and human interactions. This will show up in the flavor profiles and texture of the produce. Even within the same garden, especially a large one, like a vineyard, certain areas have various characteristics. This idea is determined by four or five elements:
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soil (from clay to sand to limestone to volcanic, et cetera which affect water, fertility, and heat retention)
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geomorphology (including topography, elevation, altitude, and slope)
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climate (includes temperatures, sunshine, rainfall, and wind flow)
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flora/fauna (plants, trees, and microbes that live in and around will shape the biogeographic characteristics of a region producing a complex interaction in the soil....)
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growing practices (traditional and new methods)
Junior Gardeners
During the years I've worked at the Rose Garden & Pet Store I have had the privilege of teaching many children (and their parents/grandparents) of the greater New Orleans community. We met once a month, the first Saturday at 10 AM for three plus years (except during the Spring Rush: March-May). Due to the recent closing of the business we were not able to make it through our fourth year.... My boss, Tony Benedetto, allowed me to keep the posters and other information that I used and made during that time. The following is pictures of those posters. I hope to a
The first year we based all of our lessons from a national ecology workbook for children. The next year we aligned our classes with a Boy Scouts outline received from a local troop. Then we worked out way through lessons based upon a workbook from BTNEP (Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program). Lastly, we planted our way through Flowers, Fruits, & Veggies in the Making. We had our low times but we also had over 20 students and family members at some events. I am incredibly grateful for the experience and the contacts within the community!
Our mascot was Jeff, the Gator!
Plants, especially trees, work to provide us with necessary air....
Fresh, clean water is a luxury, but sadly we are very bad at treating it otherwise....
Our place in the Mississippi River delta means that we do NOT have bedrock....
Jeff taught us a lot that first year....
We learned why natives were important and how to bring them back into our yards.
