Ever since the thrips pest was discovered in the strawberry field, Grandpa Shen and Shen Qiuqiu were almost trapped in the strawberry field.

In addition to promptly removing diseased plants and spraying pesticides.

Grandpa Shen also used the rural method of spreading plant ash.

Plant ash is rich in minerals found in a variety of plants and is a widely used disinfectant raw material in rural areas. It has a strong effect on killing pathogenic bacteria and viruses.

In the era before pesticides and fertilizers, plant ash was the best fertilizer and disinfectant.

After two rounds of pesticides and plant ash were applied to the strawberry fields, and after a period of observation, the thrips infestation was finally completely eliminated.

Of course, the possibility of recurrence in the future cannot be ruled out, so prevention and control work must be done carefully.

For this reason, Shen Qiuqiu specially bought several books on pest control and came back to study.

Her drive to study was no less intense than when she was taking the college entrance examination.

Grandma Shen also joked: "Well, if I had known you wanted to be a farmer, you might as well have enrolled in an agricultural university and studied computers."

Shen Qiuqiu paused while turning the pages of the book and couldn't help but laugh.

I applied for this major at the time because I heard that it was an emerging industry with very good job prospects in the future and that I could make money.

After graduation, before she had time to shine in this emerging industry, she accidentally went to work as a salesperson in a trading company.

The reason is also very simple, you can make more money by selling.

At that time, she had basically no hobbies. All she could think about was how to make money, how to buy a house in a big city, and give her grandparents better living conditions.

Now that I'm back in the countryside, my desire to make money is still very strong, but it's not so pure anymore.

The career I am doing now is more for my original intention and the simple love in my heart.

Being a farmer is indeed tiring, exposed to wind, sun, rain, and endless farm work.

But compared with the mental fatigue before, this physical fatigue is nothing at all.

Moreover, the deep sense of satisfaction and heartfelt joy at the moment of harvest will make people feel particularly happy.

Over this period of time, Shen Qiuqiu has become more and more aware of his identity as a farmer.

Grandpa Shen has also changed from his initial disapproval to his unconditional support now.

The old man has always been supportive of Shen Qiuqiu's studies. When he saw her reading an agricultural book, he even suggested: "Xiaohua, you are still young anyway, why don't you go to an agricultural college or something?"

Grandpa is rich now and can support you in college. You don’t have to study and work at the same time like you did a few years ago.

Let’s study hard this time and try to get a doctorate or something so that we can bring glory to our old Shen family.”

The old man has always felt guilty about his granddaughter.

But in those years, her family was very poor and could not afford to send her to college. Otherwise, she would not be able to be a little girl and have to earn her own tuition and living expenses while studying.

Now that his family's conditions are better, he also wants to make up for the guilt and regret he felt at that time.

Shen Qiuqiu knew that this was the knot in his grandfather's heart, so he didn't say anything more. He just said jokingly: "Grandpa, society is the best university. Our rural areas are the best agricultural universities. You, old man, are my best." mentor."

One sentence made Grandpa Shen laugh out loud.

…

After lunch, Grandpa Shen and Grandma Shen changed their shoes, took machetes, and prepared to go to the bamboo forest behind the house to chop bamboo.

Bamboo strips are an essential raw material for weaving bamboo baskets.

The bamboo strips at home were almost used, so Grandma Shen asked Grandpa Shen to help chop some back. She was not strong enough, so it was very laborious to chop. This kind of laborious work still had to be done by men.

Shen Qiuqiu heard that they were going to chop bamboo, thinking that the winter bamboo shoots would be coming out soon, so she picked up a hoe and went with them.

The bamboo forest is located behind the Shen family courtyard. You can reach it after exiting the gate and walking around the path behind the house.

This bamboo forest was planted casually by Grandpa Shen when he was a child.

After dozens of years, a few small bamboo trees have grown into a lush bamboo forest that is full of vitality and will not wither throughout the winter.

According to the established rules in the countryside, this land and this bamboo forest are considered to belong to the Shen family.

Anyone who wants to use bamboo or dig bamboo shoots will tell Grandpa Shen.

Grandpa Shen is also very easy to talk to. As long as someone from the village talks to him, he will agree to anything.

These bamboos do not require human care, but they grow very well. There are old bamboos as thick as an adult's arm, and new bamboos as thin as a thumb.

Grandpa Shen found a thick bamboo, spit on his hand, and started chopping it.

Shen Qiuqiu took Grandma Shen and started looking for bamboo shoots.

Winter bamboo shoots are buried in the soil, so only experienced people can find them.

An inexperienced person like Shen Qiuqiu may not be able to dig out a bamboo shoot even if he digs ten deep pits.

Grandma Shen clasped her hands behind her back and squinted her eyes as she searched on the ground for a long time, still mumbling, "Winter bamboo shoots are scarce these days and are very hard to find. But you, a greedy little cat, can't even wait for several days."

Shen Qiuqiu held Grandma Shen's arm and said coquettishly, "Hey, the winter bamboo shoots are fresh and tender, and the first ones are the best. I haven't had them in a long time."

"Okay, okay, grandma will find it for you. If you just want to eat dragon meat from the sky, grandma will also find it for you."

Grandma Shen loved her granddaughter very much. Although she was nagging, her eyes were not idle for a moment, and she lowered her head and looked for her very carefully.

When looking for winter bamboo shoots, it is best to choose a place with relatively loose soil. You should also look for cracks in the ground. The extension direction of the lowest bamboo branch of the bamboo plant is roughly parallel to the direction of the bamboo whip. If you observe the ground along this direction, you will see clods of soil on the surface. Slightly bulging, loose, or cracked areas that feel soft when stepped lightly with your feet are signs of bamboo shoots.

In addition, you can also observe the traces of waterways on the ground. There are bamboo shoots where there are traces of waterways; there are bamboo shoots where the bamboo whip branches; there are bamboo shoots where the bamboo whip suddenly goes deep into the ground.

Grandma Shen searched for a while, stretched out her toes and drew a circle on the ground, "Here, let's dig."

"Okay!" Shen Qiuqiu rubbed his hands and dug vigorously with the hoe.

After digging for a while, a deep hole was dug in the ground, and finally I saw a goose-yellow bud.

This is the little sprout on the tip of the bamboo shoot. Shen Qiuqiu was very happy, "Hey, I have it."

In order not to dig out the bamboo shoots, she started digging around the shoots. The deep pit gradually expanded outwards, and the plump winter bamboo shoots were also revealed bit by bit.

It took Shen Qiuqiu more than ten minutes to dig out the bamboo shoots. Before she could take a break, Grandma Shen was already greeting her, "Little flowers, there are some here too."

After working for more than an hour, Grandpa Shen cut down eight bamboo trees, and Shen Qiuqiu dug five winter bamboo shoots, a full harvest.

In the evening, Shen Qiuqiu got her wish and ate the first winter bamboo shoots of the year.

The fresh and crisp winter bamboo shoots and the dry and fragrant bacon are the perfect combination.

Not only did Shen Qiuqiu enjoy her meal, she also edited a short video and posted it on Maitian Video.
Chapter completed!