Published June 12, 2024

by Susan Knight York

How do we love Camino Silvestre’s owner and master gardener, Jim McKeever? Let me count the ways! There are 25 different types of tomatoes and squash, 20 different peppers and 10 types of cucumbers. Add on 3 different watermelons, 4 miniature melons, and 8 types of basils, 15 types of green beans, tomatillos, okra, radishes, turnips, and beets. This is in addition to all the salad greens and multiple kinds of chards, kales, mustards, and collards. Edible flowers? Yes, there are those too, including French marigolds, dahlias, nasturtiums, and zinnias. All of this bounty is shared with customers, along with his knowledge of plants so you can grow your own food and appreciate a much healthier lifestyle. That’s a tall order for anyone and the subject of a Master class in how to live a lot longer.

An innovator and creative thinker, as an artist he makes everything look easy despite the fact that it’s usually requires an extra step or two in order to finally master it. And the outcome is always spot on but then, that’s Jim McKeever; the master of masters.

There’s a peaceful calm here and we know the plants sense it, too. With plants from Italy, Persia, India, China, Puerto Rico, Spain, Thailand, France, Russia, Ukraine, Japan, Belgian, U.S., Mexico, Nicaragua, New Mexico, Chile and Brazil, its global offerings, despite the recent heat, produce new varieties of eatables every day. Jim is a constant reader; currently devouring Sandor Ellix Katz’s book on fermentation in order to improve his sauerkraut. And he is a wonderful teacher; educating so many people to color outside the lines. Patsy Dubois is a perfect example of how he changed her life for the better; cooking her way to health by applying many of the principles she learned from Jim.

A true Renaissance man, his life partner, Alfredo García-Lució, is also an inspiration, performing everything brilliantly in so many disciplines: a gifted artist, a talented photographer and another remarkable cook. They haven’t eaten meat in over 12 years; a tribute to their plant-based cuisine and healthy style of eating. My first thought was that my doctor, Leslie Flores, should send all of her patients here for a little rehabilitation.

How many places have you’ve been lately where you were served a dish that looks like this? Our feast this morning was a breakfast salad made with a variety of greens and just – picked vegetables; all from their garden. The eggs were supplied by their chickens, who roam free on the property. I stared at it for a long time, certain it was art on a plate instead of just my breakfast because it was much too beautiful to eat. Their finishing touches on everything are proof that practice makes perfect because they’ve been doing it this way for years. The salad was so good, I’m afraid I’ll never be satisfied with a restaurant-made salad again.

Their house is a drop-dead-gorgeous version of Camino Silvestre. A work in progress for 17 years, we think it’s at the top of the list of one of the most beautiful places in San Miguel de Allende. The outdoor space is one hectare and home to picturesque gardens and spacious venues with a pond brimming over with water lilies that was so surreal, it looked more like a painting instead of reality.

Jim will start doing urban/patio vegetable designs and gardens for clients. In addition, having hosted many of the best parties and weddings, Jim and Alfredo plan to do more special events and have recently added a space to handle events for 50-150 people. They love to host small concerts, lectures, and readings.

You can contact Jim at Jim@caminosilvestre.com to make an inquiry. We know one thing – every detail will be perfect; it’s simply how they do things in the most beautiful place in SMA.

Have we finally found Shangri – La? Well let’s say it’s pretty darn close!

Camino Silvestre
Zacateros 46, Zona Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
Daily 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM except Sunday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Phone: 415 152 3918

Correo 43, Zona Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
Phone: 415 121 3359
Daily:10:00 AM – 7:00 PM