Naturally grown Japanese cucumber (Ueno-san)

Naturally grown grass from Ueno, Kumamoto Prefecture
Common herbs reach their peak season in the spring. They are a very useful vegetable during the off-season when it is difficult for other vegetables to grow.
It is soft and sweet, and is delicious in stir-fries and miso soup.
Since ancient times, spring has been the time to expel toxins accumulated during the winter and transform the body for summer. People have traditionally eaten wild flowers and medicinal herbs.
Nowadays, it is a habit that is gradually being lost because a variety of vegetables are available all year round.
I would like to feel the wisdom of our ancestors, the rhythms of nature, and the seasons through the crops.



[Recipe introduction]
Swiss chard namul
[Ingredients] (Serves 2)
・About 8 pieces of ordinary grass
Seasonings (1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon grated garlic, white sesame seeds)

【How to make】
1. Mix the seasonings together.
2. Quickly boil the herbs, then rinse in cold water, squeeze and cut into bite-sized pieces.
3. Mix with seasoning 1.
☆The flavor of the vegetables will come out in the boiling water, so just squeeze it out lightly. Common chard is also known as Swiss chard, and is a popular vegetable with a mild flavor and purple or yellow stems. The leaves are softer than they look, so be careful not to overcook them.


Ueno has been committed to natural farming since he started farming

Seven years have passed since he started farming, and Masuhisa Ueno, a natural farmer, has become an indispensable part of Purely.
He encountered Purely when he first began farming and has been farming using natural farming methods from the very beginning.

Ueno talks about his efforts at natural farming.


At first, the crops did not grow well and there were even reports of total destruction.
"At first, I didn't know anything about natural farming, so I just followed what I saw. But it didn't work at all. When I started growing onions here, almost all of them died after about two years."
Although Ueno can now laugh about his failures, he says that it was extremely difficult at the beginning.

Nevertheless, he has managed to look at his failures in a positive way, and has proactively participated in lectures sponsored by Purely and training sessions organized by the National Natural Farming Promotion Association.
"Looking back, this failure taught me the importance of soil preparation," he says, and he has continued to make steady progress.
Now, among Purely's partner producers, they produce a wide variety of naturally grown vegetables, which is one of the best.
Most of the produce is produced from seeds we collect ourselves or purchased fixed varieties, and we are committed to natural cultivation from seeds.
"I want to make natural farming a normal part of agriculture. I believe I can do it, and I want to continue spreading the word by continuing to focus solely on natural farming."

Ueno is passionate about natural farming and works hard at it every day.
Please enjoy Ueno's naturally grown Fudanso grass, which is full of his passion.