Happy Plant Appreciation Day
Time to start thinking about getting your hands dirty working in the garden. Today has been proclaimed National Plant Appreciation Day. It's observed every April 13th.
This day always brings back fond memories for me. It reminds me of working along side my Grandma in her garden. We would have the greatest conversations.
I don't know how she did it, but my Grandma always seemed to have the prettiest garden in the county. Scratch that. I DO know how she did it - putting in long hours picking weeds.
She's the one who taught me, "if it comes out of the ground easily, it's a valuable plant." To this day, I give each plant a "gentle tug" to make sure I'm not pulling something I shouldn't.
It didn't matter how hot or humid it was, you could always find Grandma out in her garden. If she wasn't there, she was busy making a big dinner for Grandpa and the farmhands.
One of my favorite memories is when Grandma would have us grand kids help her pick peas and beans. That's where veggies taste the best - smack dab in the middle of a garden.
I can also remember those times when bad weather was in the forecast, and Grandma would have Grandpa stop what he was doing so he could help "cover" the garden.
Every available bed sheet was brought outside to cover up her prized crop. Why would she go to such great lengths to protect her beans and peas? - that was their food supply.
It didn't really dawn on me until I got older, but what they grew in that garden had to tie them over to the next year. And because of Grandma, we always had fresh beans for Thanksgiving dinner.
To this day, whenever I drive by the old farm place, I still picture my Grandma, wearing her white bonnet and apron, out in her garden stooped over, tending to her prized veggies.
Because of her, National Plant Appreciation Day will always hold a special place in my heart. Thanks Grandma for all your hard work - and all the yummy veggies!!!
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