Did one or both of your parents or grandparents garden, or still garden?
What is their favorite thing to grow, or area of expertise? Did they influence your own gardening journey and in what way?
Dad was an expert in Agriculture and has totally influenced me to be a gardener and I can proudly say, what I am today is only because of him, because he engaged me in all agricultural activities from an early age, when I was in my teens, more than three decades back. He holds a Master degree in Agricultural Science, so you can imagine how knowledgeable he was. After serving in Agriculture department for few years, he switched to Banking sector because the career growth was not happening as he wanted. Being a honest and transparent person, he was not fit for a government job, otherwise people make a lot of money from unfair means. He did not entertain anyone who would come for a favor for exchange of some benefits and has been honest all along in his life (thus inspiring me to be the same). However, the farmer inside him has been always there, even till today. You have seen few of my posts where I have shown him being involved in some activities.
Back then, every Sunday was a must to work in garden for both of us, as at that time, there was no off on Saturdays. We had a small home at my native and rest of the entire area was (more than 15000 sq ft) at our leverage to grow our own food and we both worked hard, me taking the higher load digging and making the soil ready. Back then, we had a lovely adorable cow at home, giving 14 liters of milk and all the organic manure that was used for farming. What now sells with a organic tag now was by default organic then. People were not using any chemicals, cow manures, composts were only used and vegetables were very tasty - you could literally feel the authentic smell and taste of vegetables, which I miss today. We produced all kind of vegetables at home and were buying only potatoes, onion, ginger and garlic - all green vegetables fresh from garden. And to feed our adorable cow, we even grew grass for her - she was treated like a family member.
Dad was always active as you can see from these photos from November 2022, just three years back. Even though he was diagnosed with dementia five years back, his natural instinct for gardening has always won over his disease.
Can you guess what he is doing ? Living in full greenery around our home at native, he does not like to come and stay with us in the city - after all who does not like to stay in a peaceful greenery, free from all pollution. Our native home even feels like a holiday home to me, whenever I go there - no rush of life, calm and peaceful living.
Back then Dad gave me a contract to prepare fifty pits to put teak stumps, at fifty paise for each pits. Fifty paise was enough for a mini snack during that time. Most of those plants are gone in natural disasters, but we still have three and one of them is really big - big enough for entire furniture needs of couple of families. May be I will show you in some other post. Some of them lasted till a few years back and were uprooted in cyclone Phani and we have preserved them for our own use because you don't get the authentic look of those teak in market.
And Dad has not only influenced me, but also Mom who would do occasional gardening, because she was occupied with too many things, taking care of the entire home. She has got a golden hand and anything she puts on soil, grows. Hailed from a very rural place, she knows the in and out of farming and even gardens today. You have seen how she leveraged the Mango plant to grow Pumpkin plant in this post, I will show you the amazing outcome in another post......
This post is in response to the Week 32 of the Hive Garden Question. Of late, I have not been able to write posts frequently but I did not want to miss this one - this post will be a memoir explaining how or why I like gardening and how I have been associated with plants.
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Your father not only grew the plants, but also instilled values that clearly continue to flourish in you to this day.
Parents are truly a divine blessing that must be cherished.
Yes, what we are today is only because of them.
The way you described your father his integrity, discipline, and deep love for the soil shows how he not only taught you how to garden, but also how to live with honesty and purpose. That’s such a rare and priceless inheritance. Live long!
When I was a kid we had a fairly large garden in our backyard. It took up a large portion of the back lot that my parents own. It was quite impressive and it definitely made me want to try my hand at gardening as I got older.
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This was such a touching story. It’s beautiful how gardening became a special bond between you and your father. The lessons he taught you and the memories you made together will always stay with you.
Your dad is just awesome! :)
u are definitely a son of him. and ur mom sounds very special, too!
😊
Hey, thanks for sharing the interesting post, in our place, the innermost part of the banana tree stem is also often used for food, usually cooked in a large cauldron, a delicious curry dish.
Same here, the banana stem is used for a curry and do you know it cleanse your stomach ?
My grandparents on one side were actual farmers. Not really the growing kind as they farmed cattle and just cared for the land in that context. My parents had nothing to do with gardening so I think it must skip a generation.
My mother discovered that I had the ability to plant and grow flowers so that became my job. Once we bought a house with a yard with space enough for a garden, I just did. Now, my little one is inspired enough to be off to college for horticulture!
Maybe it doesn’t skip a generation after all. Reminds me I have to create a #hivegarden post for the end of gardening season here.
That's impressive, we must pass on the skill.
What a great post honouring your Dad. .
I didn't know this. He sounds like such an honourable person. I love the way that even with dementia he remembers his love of gardening. I can see how he influenced you.
That teak looks amazing. Solid wood boards are valuable indeed!
I love how cows are valued in India. She sounds a sweet heart and provided for you well. What a healthy life.
It's so sad how things have changed. That's why I keep improving my soil... I would rather eat from my own garden than the supermarket.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful reflection on your lovely Dad. And your Mum of course. They were a great influence on you.
Nothing can replace that, true cancer therapy.
It’s amazing how gardening can connect generations and create such beautiful memories. Your father’s influence truly shines through your passion for plants and organic growing.
Parents and grandparents have great influence on us, like your dad with you, my grandparents did garden a lot vegetables for harvesting, I like it too but lack time
That is a beautiful story, full of love and admiration towards your parents. Thank you very much for sharing that!
Also - how fast does teak grow? Or how long did it take for it to grow so big that it's enough wood for furniture for entire families?
At least 20 years, ours is now in it's thirties.
That's a long time. Must be great to see how the stump rose to a huge tree.
Yes, it definitely wonders us to see it survive this long, through several cyclones.
My grandfather was the one who taught me the passion for agriculture, in addition to being fortunate enough to have our own food at home. It's a shame that he doesn't have a good amount of land to take advantage of and plant some plants, both fruit and ornamental.
I can't remember my parents did gardening but my sister did. I lost my parents already at quite an early age.
Our favorite crop here is the banana because it doesn't require much care and being in a dry climate most of the time favors its growth. They are also our favorites because we can use them in several ways, but the most common is as an afternoon snack after lunch or when working to recover lost energy.
I haven't had the chance to bond my grandparents. My paternal grandparents are both dead when I was growing up. I haven't had the close relationship with my maternal grandparents. I have no idea if they've been into gardening.
Your dad is really a strong man. To still been active even at this age
Thanks so much for your contribution to the #hivegardenQOTW. The community appreciates your insights, inspiration & engagement with all of us in the Hive Garden!
The HIVE GARDEN COMMUNITY supports gardening, homesteading, cannabis growers, permaculture and other garden or botanical related content. Delegations to the curation account, @gardenhive, are welcome! Find our community here!
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