My long-departed grandmother lived her entire life in Grodno, a city in western Belarus on Nieman river. It is a lovely and fertile region with well defined sea

My long-departed grandmother lived her entire life in Grodno, a city in western Belarus on Nieman river. It is a lovely and fertile region with well defined seasons of the year. All kinds of things grow there, mostly temperate weather crops, potatoes, tomatoes, peas, cucumbers, carrots, radishes, cabbages, apples, pears etc. Grandmother was a big believer in child labor so my summer was spent weeding every day. Her herbicide/pesticide were little children hands. I think vinegar was involved too. I think though if she could afford chemicals she would have. Ugh, if I never have to squish colorado potato beetle larvae from the potato leaf, I'll be happy.