- plant seeds
- cover seeds
- water everything all the time
- stick tomatoes and beans
- hoe, hoe, hoe, hoe (they even broke off handles on old ones so us kids would have one)
- follow the plow
- pick peas
- pick beans
- pull corn
- pick cantaloupes
- pick watermelons
- pick cucumbers
- pick squash
- hold the bucket while Grandmother cut the okra and the cabbage
- pick tomatoes
- dig out the potatoes for days and days
- shell peas and beans for days and nights and nights and days
- shuck corn (watch for the worms)
- play under the table while everything was cut and frozen and canned and on and on
It was an experience that at the time was completely wearing for a kid but I now know how to do all of those things and I don't know that many people my age and definitely younger who do. I wish I had a green thumb because I would grow things too and have my daughter learn because knowing how to make your own food is a wonderful thing.
My grandmother did unique things like having the beans and peas (the ones that would need to have sticks to keep them growing) planted next to the corn. That way the beans and peas would grown up the corn stalks and keep us from having to use the sticks. The corn and beans/peas were grown in the lower level of the garden and often it was like a tunnel to walk between them. Super cool for kids!
Overall I am so happy to have been raised on fresh vegetables and to know where they come from and how to take care of them. I think it gave me a greater appreciation for those who handle them. I still remember sitting on the side of the garden and watching my Grandmother constantly going from one thing to another. She never stopped moving during the day either in the garden or in the trailer. She was a hard worker and I appreciate so much her example. I miss her so!
No comments:
Post a Comment