I looked in the fridge this morning and I saw a watermelon. Mr. Bootsie has purchased one. We will eat some and share with our feathered friends. I always have a good feeling when I think about watermelons and cantaloupes. Daddy always wanted to have the first watermelon, the largest and for his season to last the longest. There were several farmers he stayed in very close contact with during the watermelon season as he wanted to know how their melon patch was doing.
The garden was planted and there is still this large bare place in the garden. It was wide about 12 feet and ran the length of the garden. The soil here was a little bit sandy. "Daddy, there is nothing planted here." He told me it was the watermelon patch. I sure did not see anything growing but he was sure it would have watermelons. The next Saturday morning the wagon was filled with manure from the hog house. During the week Daddy had dug holes, in the bare soil, a bushel basket would fit in. The soil was hilled beside the hole. The hog manure was put into the bushel baskets and carried to the holes. Daddy would level the manure and pulled the soil back over it. He was carefully working the soil into a hill and firming it. This would be done all the way down the row. Each hill was about 8 feet apart. He would let the hills set until rain was in the forecast.
The seeds for the watermelons and cantaloupes were saved with a few new added in each year. Seeds he saved from the sweetest or largest melon. He would sometimes return home, from having watermelon with a friend, and produce some seeds he has slipped in his pocket. Momma would always put the seed in an envelope and write on it where they came from and why. Daddy would make a decision on which seeds would be planted and what would be burned in the wood stove. If Daddy decided not to plant them he did not want a bird to drop the seed in the garden, so they went up in smoke.
"Come on, Bootsie, it is going to rain tomorrow." Daddy would have the envelopes and off he and I would go to the garden. "What are we going to plant first? Watermelon or cantaloupe?" The odd number hills were planted with watermelon and the even number with cantaloupe seeds. There were 6 seeds put in each hill. Because I was small and learning to count and do arithmetic helping Daddy plant the seeds was a lesson for me. I could count to five so he told me to put 3 seeds in each hand and that would be 6 seeds. It worked well for the cantaloupe but when I came to the watermelon I just would get a bunch of seeds and hand them to him. Daddy looked at me, "What are you doing?" Six seeds, all I want is six seeds." "Daddy, I just love watermelon and we need lots of them." This is a lesson I will never forget. "Now Bootsie, listen to me. The ground will only support a few seeds and the plants will be weak if we put in to many, six and I will put out the weak plants. Never over plant your fields." That night Daddy planted all of his watermelons and cantaloupes and the rain came.
Daddy hoed the garden and any weeds in the watermelon patch were knocked down. The weak plants were pulled out and the runners started going everywhere. The big bare spot in the garden was filled with yellow and white blooms. After which came little round and oblong melons growing everywhere. Farmers talking, July 4th, first watermelon, 40 pounds, sweet as honey, the rush was on for the first watermelon of the season. Daddy would just walk thru the melon patch thump on the melons listen to the sound and smile. He knew when he was going to have the first melon. My daddy had the biggest watermelon, a lot of the farmers were not growing hogs any longer and there is nothing any better for melons than pig manure.
I saw Daddy go and get the wheelbarrow off the garden he went. First, he came with cantaloupes and the second trip he had watermelons. The high table was up in the yard, family and friends were coming over. That night we had the biggest, sweetest melons in the world. Everyone was there and Daddy was beaming. We had one cousin who also was a very good farmer. After Daddy had cut several melons and everyone was eating, it started.
"Shame you cut that big one. I just happen to have one in my car that is a lot bigger than the largest one you have here." He went to his car and brought out this huge watermelon. Daddy looked at it and smiled that I need to do something about this smile. Everyone was getting their fill of the melons and starting to talk, children were starting to play, and all of sudden there was total quiet. Daddy had just come in with the wheelbarrow and in it was the biggest watermelon of all. A while later in the evening it was cut and yes, it was also the sweetest melon.
Momma and Daddy loved melons, Cantaloupe for breakfast, watermelon the rest of the day. The watermelon rinds were made into pickle and pickled cantaloupe. The chickens, ducks and pigs enjoyed the melons. But the biggest pig of all was a little girl who was learning to count.
You are going to have watermelons growing out of your ears.
Did you hear the one about the woman who had the watermelon
plant growing in her stomach?
How far can you spit a watermelon seed?
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Showing posts with label Garden lore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Garden lore. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Sweet Potato Sets
I can hear Daddy now. "Bootsie, bring down the basket of sweet potatoes when you come." We stored the sweet potatoes in the attic beside the chimney and the entry door was in my bedroom. Quite often I was awoke by Momma trying to sneak into the attic to get sweet potatoes. The door had a creep to it and it always woke me up. This morning I jumped out of bed and got dressed. Opened the attic door and picked up the basket of sweet potatoes with sprouts just beginning to show.
Breakfast was ready when I arrived in the kitchen. Bowls of Momma's oatmeal with a plate of sausage biscuits were steaming on the table. Daddy had sausage drippings on his plate, he added molasses dipped his biscuit into the mixture and ate. Daddy enjoyed molasses and pork drippings. We finished eating. Momma said, "Go on, I know you want to get going."
Yes, we did. Daddy had already hooked the wagon to the tractor. I climbed on the tractor seat and started it. Daddy got into the wagon and off we went. Over to the woods and down to the creek where we would get sand. Daddy had several buckets in the wagon and the shovel, he filled the buckets and I was picking the running cedar. After the buckets were filled and loaded into the wagon, we went on a walk. In these woods we spent a lot of time and anything that changed we noticed. New bird's nest, spring leaves coming out on the trees, deer tracks and tiny deer tracks. Maybe we would see a fawn. There was a red headed woodpecker working on a dead tree. The woods were busy with action.
We returned home and Momma had lunch ready, after eating Daddy announced there was work to do. I went with him and we planted the sweet potatoes to make sets. In the plant bed Daddy had put a big pot which we started filling with sand. About 3/4's full he put in the whole sweet potatoes and we filled the pot with sand covering the sweet potatoes completely. Watered the pot and now it is time to wait. I checked the pot everyday until I could see the little leaves coming. Slips were on the way. Daddy let the slips grow until they were well rooted, slipped them off the mother potato and planted them in the garden. We planted 2 rows of sweet potatoes. They were given one can of water everyday until they perked up. Now they would grow into lush plants.
Yes, I start my own sweet potatoes, I am amazed at the price the seed companies get for slips. If you have ever had a sweet potato growing in a glass of water you can slip and plant it. The only thing I do different is, I plant my slips into 4 inch flower pots and when the roots come out of the bottom of the pots into the garden the plant goes. This makes the plant stronger and it is off and growing.
One morning this week, I will have breakfast and head out on Mrs. Jones to the creek. There I will fill my bucket with sand and I will walk thru the woods to see what is going on. I will be planting my sweet potatoes in the cold frame. My pot is ready and the sweet potatoes have sprouted.
Daddy, I think I can do this by myself.
Plant the sweet potatoes and water.
Did Daddy say? "Now, Bootsie, we just have to wait.
Patience little girl, they will come."
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Breakfast was ready when I arrived in the kitchen. Bowls of Momma's oatmeal with a plate of sausage biscuits were steaming on the table. Daddy had sausage drippings on his plate, he added molasses dipped his biscuit into the mixture and ate. Daddy enjoyed molasses and pork drippings. We finished eating. Momma said, "Go on, I know you want to get going."
Yes, we did. Daddy had already hooked the wagon to the tractor. I climbed on the tractor seat and started it. Daddy got into the wagon and off we went. Over to the woods and down to the creek where we would get sand. Daddy had several buckets in the wagon and the shovel, he filled the buckets and I was picking the running cedar. After the buckets were filled and loaded into the wagon, we went on a walk. In these woods we spent a lot of time and anything that changed we noticed. New bird's nest, spring leaves coming out on the trees, deer tracks and tiny deer tracks. Maybe we would see a fawn. There was a red headed woodpecker working on a dead tree. The woods were busy with action.
We returned home and Momma had lunch ready, after eating Daddy announced there was work to do. I went with him and we planted the sweet potatoes to make sets. In the plant bed Daddy had put a big pot which we started filling with sand. About 3/4's full he put in the whole sweet potatoes and we filled the pot with sand covering the sweet potatoes completely. Watered the pot and now it is time to wait. I checked the pot everyday until I could see the little leaves coming. Slips were on the way. Daddy let the slips grow until they were well rooted, slipped them off the mother potato and planted them in the garden. We planted 2 rows of sweet potatoes. They were given one can of water everyday until they perked up. Now they would grow into lush plants.
Yes, I start my own sweet potatoes, I am amazed at the price the seed companies get for slips. If you have ever had a sweet potato growing in a glass of water you can slip and plant it. The only thing I do different is, I plant my slips into 4 inch flower pots and when the roots come out of the bottom of the pots into the garden the plant goes. This makes the plant stronger and it is off and growing.
One morning this week, I will have breakfast and head out on Mrs. Jones to the creek. There I will fill my bucket with sand and I will walk thru the woods to see what is going on. I will be planting my sweet potatoes in the cold frame. My pot is ready and the sweet potatoes have sprouted.
Daddy, I think I can do this by myself.
Plant the sweet potatoes and water.
Did Daddy say? "Now, Bootsie, we just have to wait.
Patience little girl, they will come."
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Tuesday, February 28, 2012
The Plant Bed
Everyone has their own way of starting seeds. Daddy had a hot bed. The hot bed was located beside the garden, the bed was dug into the earth. The size was 6 feet by 3 feet with a hinged top which was closed at night and if the day was cold. The hole was dug about 15 inches deep, there were wooden sides which went into the earth about 15 inches deep, and came above the ground about 12 inches with a slanted top to about 8 inches on the other side. This hole has been used for years to start seeds.
Springtime comes early on the farm. The first warm day, you would see Daddy bringing the canvas to cover the ground by the plant bed. Shovel in hand he started digging out the bed. He removed all of the soil and placed it on the canvas. After digging to the hard earth at the bottom of the boards, he closed the plant bed and covered the removed soil. Spring rains come quick and he wanted to keep everything dry.
Daddy had made arrangements to get horse manure for the bottom layer of the hot bed. The bottom layer of manure would be about 6 to 8 inches deep. The soil was replaced to bring the level back to ground level. The manure provided the bottom heat, by heating the soil as it broke down. The soil, he replaced, was full of compost because every year the process was the same. He would mix some sand into the soil in the top 3 to 4 inches. Now after a few gentle watering this soil was ready to start our seeds. The hot bed worked, because you could feel the warm soil on top.
Bootsie, get your bucket and shovel, find your momma and have her bring the box of seeds. " Yes, Sir." Can it be today? We are going to plant the seeds. Off I went "Momma, Momma, I need the wonderful box. Where is the box of seeds? Daddy is going to plant." Momma just looked at me shaking her head. She knew what this meant. In just a few months, she would be canning, making pickles and freezing the wealth of goodies provided from the seeds in the box. All I could think of was, I could play in the dirt.
Momma sent me to get my watering can, I had one with flowers painted on the side. When I returned she had the box. Oh, my goodness is she going to let me take the seeds to the hot bed? Handing to me the box of seeds she said, "Be careful, go slow and do not fall down. " I went out of the door skipping to the hot bed.
Daddy went through the seeds and lined up peppers, tomatoes and eggplants. He took my shovel, and divided the hot bed into sections. We took a thin layer of soil off the top, put it in my bucket and Daddy scattered the California wonder pepper seeds into the section. The seeds were covered with the soft fine soil and sand mix from my bucket. Next was the eggplant, black beauty followed by the tomatoes marglobe, rugters, beefsteak, big boy and yellow. The hot bed was planted, here comes Momma with my watering can. Daddy looks at me, "All right, time for you to water the seeds." Daddy closed the hot bed, telling me it would have to be watered everyday.
I have my own way of planting seeds, which works for me. I use deli cups, drill drain holes in the bottom, fill with potting mix and plant my seeds. They are placed on the hearth by the wood stove. I check the pots daily. When seeds come up they are moved under the grow lights. I sometimes wonder should I dig a hot bed? It would be special, I have many fond memories of helping (?) Daddy check the hot bed.
Bootsie, you bring your watering can, we need to water the hot bed.
Here I come, may I water it?
No, I do not want you to flood the baby plants.
Springtime comes early on the farm. The first warm day, you would see Daddy bringing the canvas to cover the ground by the plant bed. Shovel in hand he started digging out the bed. He removed all of the soil and placed it on the canvas. After digging to the hard earth at the bottom of the boards, he closed the plant bed and covered the removed soil. Spring rains come quick and he wanted to keep everything dry.
Daddy had made arrangements to get horse manure for the bottom layer of the hot bed. The bottom layer of manure would be about 6 to 8 inches deep. The soil was replaced to bring the level back to ground level. The manure provided the bottom heat, by heating the soil as it broke down. The soil, he replaced, was full of compost because every year the process was the same. He would mix some sand into the soil in the top 3 to 4 inches. Now after a few gentle watering this soil was ready to start our seeds. The hot bed worked, because you could feel the warm soil on top.
Bootsie, get your bucket and shovel, find your momma and have her bring the box of seeds. " Yes, Sir." Can it be today? We are going to plant the seeds. Off I went "Momma, Momma, I need the wonderful box. Where is the box of seeds? Daddy is going to plant." Momma just looked at me shaking her head. She knew what this meant. In just a few months, she would be canning, making pickles and freezing the wealth of goodies provided from the seeds in the box. All I could think of was, I could play in the dirt.
Momma sent me to get my watering can, I had one with flowers painted on the side. When I returned she had the box. Oh, my goodness is she going to let me take the seeds to the hot bed? Handing to me the box of seeds she said, "Be careful, go slow and do not fall down. " I went out of the door skipping to the hot bed.
Daddy went through the seeds and lined up peppers, tomatoes and eggplants. He took my shovel, and divided the hot bed into sections. We took a thin layer of soil off the top, put it in my bucket and Daddy scattered the California wonder pepper seeds into the section. The seeds were covered with the soft fine soil and sand mix from my bucket. Next was the eggplant, black beauty followed by the tomatoes marglobe, rugters, beefsteak, big boy and yellow. The hot bed was planted, here comes Momma with my watering can. Daddy looks at me, "All right, time for you to water the seeds." Daddy closed the hot bed, telling me it would have to be watered everyday.
I have my own way of planting seeds, which works for me. I use deli cups, drill drain holes in the bottom, fill with potting mix and plant my seeds. They are placed on the hearth by the wood stove. I check the pots daily. When seeds come up they are moved under the grow lights. I sometimes wonder should I dig a hot bed? It would be special, I have many fond memories of helping (?) Daddy check the hot bed.
Bootsie, you bring your watering can, we need to water the hot bed.
Here I come, may I water it?
No, I do not want you to flood the baby plants.
Monday, February 6, 2012
My Vegetable Story
Momma and I went to the mail box. Our mail box was a large rural box that held lots of mail. She took out the newspaper. There was not a paper delivery person so the Richmond Times Dispatch came by mail. Putting her hand in the box again, she found several letters from family members and, out it came. The seed catalog with the beautiful vegetables and a picture of a bearded man on the cover. Momma, smiling said, "This is the one we were waiting for."
Trotting along behind her and kicking every rock I could find, I was thinking Momma will read the newspaper and letters, I can look at the pretty book of vegetables. I went from cover to cover because the inside was black and white with lots of words and drawings.
After supper, Daddy sat down with me, picked up my wonderful new book. He read it like a story. This year we will plant tomatoes, peppers, onions, potatoes and our garden grew larger and larger. I asked, "What about watermelons, cantaloupes and corn." Daddy looked at me, shaking his head no, smiling he said, "Maybe next year." " NO! NO! NO! WE HAVE TO PLANT THEM!!! I love watermelons." He just laughed out loud and said, "So do I."
A few nights later, Daddy pencil in hand was writing on the funny sheet with lines and boxes from my pretty book. He gave Momma the mail and the next morning we carried it to the mailbox. After what must have been years but really was only a week or so, Momma let me carry the most wonderful package from the mailbox. OUR GARDEN SEEDS, Momma opened the package of seeds checking to see if everything came. "Momma , are there any watermelon seeds?" She smiled at me and said, "Yes, we have them, Daddy was playing with you, he could never plant a garden that did not have melons and corn. What would you eat all summer?"
Today, before Thanksgiving the seed houses start sending out their information. I find myself waiting for the day Mr. Bootsie calls out as he brings in the mail, "The R. H. Shumway's Illustrated Garden Guide is here." I do not care what I am doing, I stop because Daddy and I need to start planning this year's garden. As I flip the pages, just like the ones I remember from so very long ago, a voice is saying, "Plant watermelons, cantaloupes and do you remember all the other seeds I planted?" "Yes sir, I have the list."
Momma and Daddy shared with me the pleasure of having a garden. They are no longer here to take part in the hard work or reap the rewards. My gift was the knowledge they taught me. I learned from them to take care of the land and it will take care of you. Feed the soil, keep the weeds pulled and hoe, hoe, hoe. I do enjoy taking care of my garden and
I will never forget Daddy reading me the vegetable story.
Trotting along behind her and kicking every rock I could find, I was thinking Momma will read the newspaper and letters, I can look at the pretty book of vegetables. I went from cover to cover because the inside was black and white with lots of words and drawings.
After supper, Daddy sat down with me, picked up my wonderful new book. He read it like a story. This year we will plant tomatoes, peppers, onions, potatoes and our garden grew larger and larger. I asked, "What about watermelons, cantaloupes and corn." Daddy looked at me, shaking his head no, smiling he said, "Maybe next year." " NO! NO! NO! WE HAVE TO PLANT THEM!!! I love watermelons." He just laughed out loud and said, "So do I."
A few nights later, Daddy pencil in hand was writing on the funny sheet with lines and boxes from my pretty book. He gave Momma the mail and the next morning we carried it to the mailbox. After what must have been years but really was only a week or so, Momma let me carry the most wonderful package from the mailbox. OUR GARDEN SEEDS, Momma opened the package of seeds checking to see if everything came. "Momma , are there any watermelon seeds?" She smiled at me and said, "Yes, we have them, Daddy was playing with you, he could never plant a garden that did not have melons and corn. What would you eat all summer?"
Today, before Thanksgiving the seed houses start sending out their information. I find myself waiting for the day Mr. Bootsie calls out as he brings in the mail, "The R. H. Shumway's Illustrated Garden Guide is here." I do not care what I am doing, I stop because Daddy and I need to start planning this year's garden. As I flip the pages, just like the ones I remember from so very long ago, a voice is saying, "Plant watermelons, cantaloupes and do you remember all the other seeds I planted?" "Yes sir, I have the list."
Momma and Daddy shared with me the pleasure of having a garden. They are no longer here to take part in the hard work or reap the rewards. My gift was the knowledge they taught me. I learned from them to take care of the land and it will take care of you. Feed the soil, keep the weeds pulled and hoe, hoe, hoe. I do enjoy taking care of my garden and
I will never forget Daddy reading me the vegetable story.
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