| Author | Content |
herbalbetty
Middleburgh, NY
January 23, 2009 11:21 AM Post #6039527
| Sharon, how can we have grown up in such different locales and feel such kindred? We also had the belief that you didn't say the words "thank you" when someone gave you a plant. And peas were planted when the lilac leaves were as big as a mouse's ear. If leaves on the trees were showing their undersides, a big storm was surely on the way. I never heard the strawberry legend, but will start asking and paying more attention to that. David Winston relates that Cherokee story of plants helping man. If you ever get a chance to hear him speak, do so. |
bugme
Barnesville, GA (Zone 7b)
January 23, 2009 11:58 AM Post #6039595
| Yes, our "elder ancestors" have lots of knowledge passed down to us all and it was learned by "trial & error". They were able to eke out enough to feed their families. In today's time maybe all of those so engrossed in material things could use those lessons.
Thanks for reminding us. |
dryad57
Scottsburg, IN (Zone 6a)
January 23, 2009 12:32 PM Post #6039655
| I vividly remember the buckeye tree in my grandmother's yard - she hated and loved the thing. Hated it because the outer casing has all those spines on it, and they really get your attention when you walk on them barefoot - and she always gardened barefoot. Loved it because it was always lucky to pick up the first one you saw each year and keep it in your pocket. I still have a couple of buckeyes from her yard, from all those years ago. I also learned from her to keep an eye on the maple trees when a storm blew up - if their leaves showed the undersides it was going to be a bad storm.
But my, oh my! I just got a bunch of seeds in a swap, and thanked everyone profusely for their generosity! Now I'm gonna worry about the seeds sprouting - LOL!
Thanks for the wonderful memories!! |
Hemophobic
Kannapolis, NC
January 23, 2009 12:41 PM Post #6039677
| Once again, your story weaves its own magic for us! I have never thanked anyone for a plant, having learned this from my mother, but I just express appreciation for their generosity. Didn't know the story about the strawberries either. You are such a wealth of information, Sharon, that we should declare you a national treasure!
Angie |
Sharran
(Zone 7a)
January 23, 2009 1:53 PM Post #6039891
| Hi Betty,
Different places in the same world, I think. You and Angie just reminded me of the undersides of leaves...how could I have forgotten that, I still do it! I thought of you last night when for the maybe hundredth time I sorted through my seeds. Thank you so much for writing. I will be on a search for David Winston.
Bugme, again so nice to hear from you. I wish I could remember all the stories and guides that I took for granted all those years ago, it would be nice to have the knowledge they had. Trial and error is the best way to learn.
Dryad, I have two buckeyes, too, one from my Dad, and one from my friend. They go wherever I go. And they serve me well as worry stones when I am having one of my "frets"...Blessings on your seeds, I am sure they will grow anyway! I always enjoy what you have to say.
Angie, you made me smile this morning...Guess I am in the right age category, but anything but a treasure!!! The thing is, your words always weave their magic for me, and then I feel like I have to live up to your high standards! Thank you so very much.
I watched a glorious sunrise just one cup of coffee ago, and now I read your words and know it's going to be a good day. Thank you all for reading the article, and for letting me know. I am always glad to hear from you. It's going to be 60 degrees here today...ahhhhhhhh spring...getting closer.
Sharon |
dryad57
Scottsburg, IN (Zone 6a)
January 23, 2009 2:47 PM Post #6040068
| Shar, when's your last frost? And did Aunt Bett have anything to say about last frosts?? |
MaryE
Baker City, OR (Zone 5b)
January 23, 2009 3:10 PM Post #6040150
| A very nicely written article. When will your gardening season begin? 60 sounds very good to me since everything is under snow here and not likely to thaw out any time soon. |
Soulja
Louisville, KY
January 23, 2009 3:16 PM Post #6040178
| there is a forum here: Gardening By The Moon, of which I am a subscriber and the information makes sense. Paying attention to moon cycles makes sense. The way natives knew their land and shared this knowledge with people whose grandchildren can remember so much of their lessons is inspiring and IS a national treasure. Thanks again for sharing that Mountain Magic Shar. |
Sharran
(Zone 7a)
January 23, 2009 3:50 PM Post #6040318
| Dryad, I can only remember to plant onions and peas when the ground is diggable, and to plant tomatoes very close to the last frost. Can't remember specifics, without looking at my mountain of notes. Guides tell us our last frost is April 15, so by then I am serious! So tell me...
Hi Mary...thank you. 60 sounds very good to me too, since normally it is around 40 this time of year here, and you never know when it will bottom out into the single digits. I have a pair of bluebirds looking seriously at my bluebird house today, so that might be a sign of good things! I just answered your question above I think. By mid April, if I am planting tomatoes, they're outside, depending on whether or not I winter sow. But always near that date. By the first of May my daylilies are starting a bloom cycle, so somewhere in that couple of weeks, I am usually settled in for the wait on most veggies. I have only had a few vegetables the past couple of years, since there is only me to eat them, but I might increase that number this year.
Yes, Soulja, I truly agree. Makes a lot of sense, and I am very familiar with that site. Makes me smile again!
Thank you all for reading the article and for writing. Mary, stay warm out there, that sounds so cold.
Sharon |
jasmerr
Merrimac, WI (Zone 4b)
January 23, 2009 4:32 PM Post #6040516
| Sharon,
You always make me smile!
Jody
((♥))
|
dahlianut
Calgary, AB (Zone 3a)
January 23, 2009 4:36 PM Post #6040537
| Oh dear I sure hope there is a loophole for *Never thank a person who gives you seeds or roots, if you do, the plants will not grow* Thanks Sharron for more wonders. I'm trying peppers again this year for the first time in 5 years so the knowledge on peppers is very timely for me.
|
duchessdreams
Reno, NV
January 23, 2009 4:48 PM Post #6040611
| Great artical as always:). I say go for the veggies, if you don't eat them they can always be donated to a food bank or shelter, as long as they aren't canned or frozen. But then I am a veggie fiend and going nuts cause there's not much in the store that's actualy fresh. I may have to try getting made before putting in my peppers too:) |
Sharran
(Zone 7a)
January 23, 2009 4:54 PM Post #6040641
| Hi Jody...Smiles back to you, thanks!
Dahlia...don't forget to think MAD when planting your peppers so they will be hotter!!! And I am sure everybody appreciated your thanks.
Duchess, You are right, and I too am a veggie fiend. I can never have enough fresh vegetables. I try to not get too mad when planting peppers, the older I get the more I don't like "hot"!
Thank you all so much, I am always glad to hear from you.
Sharon |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN (Zone 5b)
January 23, 2009 6:57 PM Post #6041108
| Sharon, nice article as always. I love the strawberry story. That is so peaceful. SO different from what most o us were told I'm sure.
I need to locate some buckeyes to have around...might help with my "fixations" as my DH calls them. I am just a tad OCD! LOL
|
Sharran
(Zone 7a)
January 23, 2009 7:09 PM Post #6041162
| Next time I run across some buckeyes, I'll let you know! I promise.
Glad you liked the article, yes, I like the strawberry story, too.
Thanks for writing. Hope you have sunshine today like I have!
Sharon |
herbalbetty
Middleburgh, NY
January 24, 2009 12:41 AM Post #6042656
| Dahlianut - I was told the words "thank you" couldn't be said when receiving a plant. You could say, "I appreciate it" or "Aren't you sweet" or something similar.
But, I will say thank you to Sharon for her ever touching stories. |
starlight1153
Seale, AL (Zone 8b)
January 24, 2009 12:44 AM Post #6042671
| Oh what a great article!!!!!!!!!! The best stories are the storeis of real life and how folks live and survived I think from the past. I can read for hours and hours writings like yours. : )
I had to laugh cuz we come from the farm fields of Michigan and even when we move dto the city and dad had his garden, he woudl stick to them traditions.
One i really remmebr is when it was the monthly flow for afemale he would nevr let a female into the garden aroudn the cucumbers. Always swore that if she came in amongest the rops at that tiem the vine swould wither and die. Always made sure I stated out of th egarden then.
Laughign away at the strawberries. Was out in gh today cleanign dead leaves off my plants and had foudn on oen of them had flowers and tiny strawberries blooming. LOL |
Sharran
(Zone 7a)
January 24, 2009 1:13 AM Post #6042765
| Betty, and I can say thank you to you for your kindness, too.
Star...that is one thing I forgot...staying out of the garden that time of month. It was Aunt Bett who wouldn't let anybody near the entire garden on those days. I can't believe I forgot.
And ohhhh, strawberries. Will strawberry season ever get here?
Star, thank you, people like you make remembering things a pleasure. Thanks for telling me.
Sharon |
Dutchlady1
Naples, FL (Zone 10a)
January 24, 2009 1:27 AM Post #6042816
| Wonderful, wonderful article.
Thanks. |
Sharran
(Zone 7a)
January 24, 2009 2:03 AM Post #6042998
| And thank you Dutchlady, more than you know. |
herbalbetty
Middleburgh, NY
January 24, 2009 2:09 PM Post #6044289
| I've never heard of staying out of the garden during your menses! Does anyone else have those traditions?? |
Soulja
Louisville, KY
January 24, 2009 5:38 PM Post #6045193
| no but every woman kills plants now and then and doesn't know why...
hmmmm... {;-D
now we know what to blame it on. HA! |
dryad57
Scottsburg, IN (Zone 6a)
January 24, 2009 6:19 PM Post #6045397
| How odd Shar that your last frost is after mine - mine's supposed to be March 22...gotta go double check that. |
Sharran
(Zone 7a)
January 24, 2009 7:56 PM Post #6045765
| Could be, Rob, that we will be having temps in the 70's and 80's during March and early April, but then up pops the dogwoods, and we dip into dogwood winter for a couple of days.
Happens every year. One April we had snow and a doozy of a frost. Wiped out my tree full of gorgeous wisteria blooms.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
herbalbetty
Middleburgh, NY
January 24, 2009 9:25 PM Post #6046049
| dryad, are you sure your last frost isn't MAY 22? I know mine is Memorial Day. Ask me about the first year we moved here and had 15 inches of snow on May 15! |
dryad57
Scottsburg, IN (Zone 6a)
January 24, 2009 10:12 PM Post #6046249
| hmmm...OK, you got me, I had to go look it up. It's actually April 17...now I have to figure out where in the heck my brain was remembering Mar. 22 from... |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN (Zone 5b)
January 25, 2009 1:02 AM Post #6046819
| dryad, as long as I can remember it has always been Mid-May for the last frost in Indiana. April might be for a freeze. Where are you getting your info? |
Soulja
Louisville, KY
January 25, 2009 1:18 AM Post #6046897
| My Grandma & Mom always say:
(and now I heed their wisdom because I was out covering clematis and tomatoes last year with every blanket I had:
Don't plant out 'til after Mother's day!!! I told you last year and you never listen... sigh. |
Sharran
(Zone 7a)
January 25, 2009 1:32 AM Post #6046970
| Yep, except for peas and onions. They should be planted early.
I take my house plants outside on Mother's Day...every year, and only then do I plant perennials or annuals. Seeds are OK whenever, but not live plants. |
dryad57
Scottsburg, IN (Zone 6a)
January 26, 2009 3:36 PM Post #6052834
| I got that from the Farmer's Almanac - but I'm much more inclined to follow your advice :-) Wasn't it just two years ago we had that wicked "late" frost in April? |
Sharran
(Zone 7a)
January 26, 2009 3:45 PM Post #6052877
| Think it's been about that. Killed all new growth on everything. Went around with a black landscape for weeks. |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN (Zone 5b)
January 26, 2009 8:18 PM Post #6053989
| Yes!! My lilies were up a good bit and I had to really pile up leaves on them. They were almost to tall to cover up! |
quiltygirl
No Central, AZ (Zone 7b)
February 3, 2009 8:04 PM Post #6088608
| Even here in Southern California the last freeze date is listed as April for Palm Springs, lower desert! |
