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Outside Farmer Joe's wooden farm gate in bright daylight, Farmer Joe stands tipping his hat with a welcoming smile. Jack and Jill wait on the gravel path, eyes wide, small backpacks dangling.
Jack and Jill hopped out at Farmer Joe's gate. 'Welcome to the Salad Farm!' he called, tipping his hat. 'We want to learn,' said Jack. 'And help,' added Jill. They followed him.
In a sunny field between neat lettuce rows, Jack points toward distant carrot tops while Jill gestures at button-red tomatoes. Farmer Joe strolls beside them, chuckling, hands in pockets, green plants waving gently.
Rows of lettuce waved like green fans. 'Look at those carrot tops,' said Jill, pointing. 'And tomatoes, bright as buttons,' said Jack. Farmer Joe chuckled. 'Let's stroll and see what each plant needs.'
Kneeling in a freshly tilled garden bed under soft morning light, Farmer Joe pours tiny seeds into Jack and Jill's cupped palms. The twins sprinkle them into straight furrows beside a small metal seed tin.
Farmer Joe poured tiny seeds into their palms. 'These are lettuce seeds,' he said. 'We tuck them in cozy soil,' said Jill softly. 'Then patience,' said Jack. The twins sprinkled them in neat lines.
Among young sprouts on a warm afternoon, Jack tips a green watering can, creating a gentle shower of sparkling droplets. Jill steps carefully between rows, smiling, while Farmer Joe watches nearby holding a second can.
Next came watering cans. 'Just a gentle shower,' said Farmer Joe. Jack tipped his can. 'I see the soil drink,' he whispered. 'Sun and rain help plants grow,' Jill sang, stepping carefully between rows.
In the vegetable row under midday sun, a wiggly worm emerges from dark soil near Jill’s boot as she crouches laughing to greet it. Jack kneels beside her, placing a tiny pulled weed on a cloth.
A wiggly worm popped up. 'Hello, helper!' laughed Jill. 'Worms make soil fluffy,' said Farmer Joe. Jack pulled a tiny weed. 'Weeds steal space, so out you go,' he said, laying it aside.
Beside leafy lettuce and ruby tomatoes on a bright day, Farmer Joe points at a firm cucumber vine, explaining ripeness. Jack leans in curious while Jill gently touches a red tomato amid vibrant foliage.
Days later, they visited. 'How do we know it's time?' asked Jack. Farmer Joe pointed. 'Lettuce is leafy, cucumbers firm, tomatoes red.' 'Colors and touch help us decide,' said Jill.
In the flourishing garden during late afternoon light, Jack gently twists a tomato from its stem while Jill snips cucumbers with scissors. Farmer Joe steadies an open wicker basket filling with red, green, and leafy produce.
They reached for ripe vegetables. 'Twist the tomatoes gently,' said Farmer Joe. Jack plucked lettuce leaves. 'Snip, snip,' sang Jill with the scissors. Their basket filled with crunchy greens, red jewels, and bumpy cucumbers.
Inside the farm’s rustic washroom under hanging bulbs, Jill rinses vegetables in a stainless sink, water splashing brightly. Jack lifts lettuce into a spinning colander while Farmer Joe grips the salad spinner handle, smiling at the clean harvest.
At the farm sink, water splashed. 'We wash away dirt,' said Jill. 'And any tiny hitchhikers,' added Jack. Farmer Joe spun the salad in a spinner. 'Clean and crisp,' he smiled, handing them towels.
Outside the barn in soft afternoon shade, Jack bites into a cherry tomato that bursts juice, eyes delighted. Jill crunches a cucumber slice beside him while Farmer Joe chuckles behind a wooden produce table.
Jack bit a cherry tomato. 'Pop!' it burst sweetly. Jill crunched a cucumber slice. 'So fresh,' she said. 'That's the farm-to-table secret,' said Farmer Joe. 'Food tastes best when it travels little.'
In the farmhouse kitchen lit by late-day sun through small windows, Farmer Joe tears lettuce into a ceramic bowl. Jack sprinkles grated carrots like confetti while Jill drizzles golden oil and lemon, wooden spoons waiting nearby.
Time to make salad. 'Tear the lettuce gently,' said Farmer Joe. Jack sprinkled carrots like confetti. Jill drizzled lemon and splash of oil. 'Teamwork makes yummy bowls,' they cheered, tossing with spoons.
At a wooden picnic table bathed in bright sunshine, Jack and Jill raise salad bowls in a playful toast, smiles wide. Farmer Joe bows exaggeratedly beside them, a laden serving tray resting on the table.
They carried bowls to a sunny table. 'Cheers to crunchy lunch!' said Jack. Jill nodded. 'Thanks for growing with care.' Farmer Joe bowed playfully. 'Thanks for helping. Healthy food loves helpful hands.'
Back at the farm gate under clear evening sky, Farmer Joe hands seed packets across the wooden fence, smiling warmly. Jack and Jill stand together waving, clutching the packets and imagining future gardens.
At the gate, Farmer Joe gave seed packets. 'Plant these at home,' he said. 'We will!' shouted Jack and Jill. 'Water, sun, and patience,' they chorused. The twins waved, dreaming of their own salad.
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