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It’s the most wonderful time of the year — for gardeners, anyway. From peas to potatoes, local growers share what makes picking their produce so satisfying.
With August in full swing, backyard growers and rural homesteaders are finally enjoying the fruits (and veggies) of their labour. The long days of watering, weeding and wishing are paying off with baskets full of homegrown goodness.
We asked local gardeners: What’s the most satisfying thing to pick from the garden and why? The responses were wholesome, joyful — and pretty pea-heavy.
Peas, please
The hands-down favourite among our green-thumbed listeners? Peas.
"Fresh peas!" said Rae Rae, and Kim Cady joined many in agreement.
Melissa Hildebrandt Thiessen explained why: “Peas — they don’t make me itchy picking them, no dirt to clean off and I love cracking open those pods with a satisfying little 'pop!'”
Brenda Levesque also voted for peas — although she had some unexpected competition for them.
“At our house this year, it’s the peas. I grew them. I put a lot in the garden and it was all for me,” she said. “But then now this year, my children have discovered that they also love them. So now... yeah.”
She added, “They eat them. The dog eats them. I’ll go to my parents’ house and steal theirs.”
Carrots win the surprise prize
Many gardeners say carrots are the most fun to pick because of the suspense.
Tessa Masi explained, “Because you never know what size they’re going to be when you start pulling them up.”
She also admitted she doesn’t usually bother with a rinse. “If it’s rainy, then yes. But if it’s just a little clumpy — no, no. It tastes great. You just give it a good wipe on your pants and go for it.”
Ken Dyck also gave carrots an honourable mention, but what's his top pick for sheer satisfaction? “Strawberries. If you got them in your garden, you just walk by and there’s a ripe one — in the moment.”
Tomatoes get a tomato-licious endorsement
Tomatoes were another crowd favourite, not just for picking but for flavour.
Ruth Morris called them her top choice “because they’re sooooo delicious,” while Irma Friesen and Miranda Dyck also proudly listed them as their garden MVPs. Miranda adds cucumbers and peppers to her favourites list.
Andrew Unger agrees the tomato deserves top billing — at least when it comes to taste.
“To me, the difference between a garden tomato and a store tomato is like — it’s an entirely different fruit,” he said. “It’s the most dramatic difference in flavour. So to me, the tomato would be at the top of the list.”
And yes — tomato sandwiches are a thing.
“You cut it thick like a steak,” said Unger, confirming what many in southeastern Manitoba already know — tomatoes are a summer staple, and part of local garden culture.
The ultimate harvest mix
Kathy Penner’s garden is a full buffet. Her harvest this year includes “tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, beans, corn, onions, Swiss chard, and basil.”
She also has access to a variety of wild berries.
“That the Lord provides free of charge,” Penner replied with a smile.
So far, she says she’s harvested about “a pail of cucumbers, a pail of beans” — and even mentioned having climbing beans this year. As for tomatoes?
“[The plants] grow so big, I just keep on snipping off the leaves,” she said. “But there’s not that many tomatoes.”
It’s not just about the food — it’s about the pride
For some, the joy isn’t in the specific vegetable — it’s in the accomplishment.
“Anything that grows is satisfying to pick 'cause I actually grew it!” said Anita Desorcy, who is excited about her watermelon this year. “Coming along nicely,” she added.
Lisa Konowich shared a similar sentiment: “Anything that grows in my little garden is absolutely satisfying! Why? Cause I grew it all by myself.”
Erika Willow enjoys harvesting from her small herb and tomato garden. “Anything I have is satisfying to harvest,” she said.
Whether it’s the satisfying snap of a pea pod, the surprise of unearthing a hefty carrot, or the pride of biting into a tomato you grew yourself, it’s clear that gardening is about more than just food.
It’s about connection — to the land, the seasons, and the effort it takes to create something from a tiny seed.
So to all the gardeners out there digging, pulling, and munching straight from the vine: enjoy your harvest. You’ve earned it.
-With files from Carly Koop and Corny Rempel.