Daddy is at it again and can’t wait to get his garden all planted and growing. He’s already gotten most of it planted and is about to plant the garden in NC as well. It just wouldn’t be summer without my daddy’s garden and it truly keeps him going. I know when he stops, that means he literally will not last long on this earth, because his garden is without a doubt his passion. He will turn 89 in July.
So, we love to see his enthusiasm about gardening and growing his veggies. That is the core of who he is and that will never change. Plus, we all get the benefits of a home grown garden!
I caught him in the garden a few weeks ago, when it was still cool out. He plants his greens garden during the fall and the kale keeps on going. It’s still going and will do fine until the weather gets too hot, which will be soon, I imagine. I just brought home a big bag of kale from their garden and will cook it and freeze part of it for later.
Kale is so nutritious and good for you. A super food! Did you see that Chic-Fil-A now has kale salad as a side? It’s pretty expensive too.
I was recently over there and he was hand watering his tomato plants that just went in the ground. He was lamenting the fact that we haven’t had a good rain in about a week and hoping that it comes soon. Hand watering, can you imagine? He will do what it takes to help his garden thrive.
He’s planted potatoes, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, corn, beans, and sweet potatoes so far. He’ll plant more in NC, but he said he’s not planting as much up there this year. This might be the last year for gardening in NC, since they are talking about selling that house up there. It’s probably time, since taking care of two houses is getting harder for them.
The potatoes are up and looking good.
You can just see the green sprouts coming up all over the garden now. Hoping for some rain soon so that it will keep on growing for him. We all enjoy the bounty of my dad’s garden and eating home grown veggies all summer long.
I’ll do an update later when things get further along and you can see the difference in growth. I love that my daddy is a gardener who has a passion for growing! Thanks as always for hanging out with our family and reading my blog!
God Bless your Daddy!! I can’t wait to see his garden grow!
My Granddaddy was a gardener many year’s ago and this brings back memories!
Love your blog!
I love this!
I love it! Your dad is amazing at 89, two homes and two gardens. I’m sure the zest to be a doer is his secret to longevity. Best wishes for you, your dad and his garden.
Counting my blessings today and watching your sweet dad’s garden is at the top of my list!
Wonderful to see!! My husband hand waters some things–but he’s not 89!!
I have been missing news about your Dad and his garden. Looks beautiful and I know how much he must love doing this.
I sure love seeing your dad’s garden again this year. Please share the progress. He is an inspiration and a great example for all of us. I would love to be in his garden with him chatting and learning.
Rhoda, I have so enjoyed your blog and love watching your daddy in the red Georgia clay!! What type of tomatoes does he plant? You posted before and I wrote it down and can not find now. He always has the best looking tomatoes and I know they are delicious. Living up north, we can not plant until Mothers’ Day. Thanks-keep this fantastic blog going!
HI, Carol, I’m so glad you all enjoy seeing my dad and his garden, that just tickles me that so many love that part of my blog. Dad used to plant Better Boy tomatoes all the time, but started having problems with wilt, so he has switched to Parks Whopper tomatoes and they are supposed to be more disease resistant. I’ll keep you all posted on the tomatoes and the whole garden as it grows this year.
Rhoda, let me say how very much I love your blog. It is the first one I read every day. My favorite postings are the ones of your family and especially the ones of your daddy’s garden. He reminds me so much of my granddaddy. He too, was an amazing gardener. He always had a man plow his garden with a mule and watered the garden with a hand crank pump. He felt “city water”was not good for gardens. Sadly, he died when I was 12, but I am fortunate to have the bucket we used to hold our fresh picked vegetables. I feel very blessed to have also gotten his “green thumb”. I love how you treasure every moment with your family. That is rare today. I would love to follow your dad in his garden and listen to his garden wisdom and feel his love for the land that God so graciously gave him. Thanks so much for sharing.
Oy, my husband and I are years younger than your dad and don’t accomplish a tenth of what he does.
Hey, Donna, don’t feel bad….I’ve never been able to keep up with them, stamina wise!
My mom kept up her garden until she was in her nineties. It was about the same size as your dad’s. Then she decided that she was done with all that stuff and just put in tomatoes, “to keep her hand in”. I remember the birds getting all excited whenever she appeared in the
back yard, chirping and twittering as if they were saying, “Hey, lady, turn the water on!”
Whenever she turned on the sprinklers, dozens of birds would take a shower in the spray.
Jan, what a great story about your mom! So cute.
This post brought tears to my eyes…..I lost my father quite suddenly last month (he was 85) …… I really did believe he would live to be 100, like he always said…..Seeing your father so vital and active is a blessing…..thank you for sharing him once again…..I pray you have many more years of good health for him and your mother.
Hi, Vickie, I’m so sorry for your loss. I know I’ll feel that way one day too and I dread the day we lose them. We know that every year can bring changes.
I love reading about your dad’s garden and seeing the table your mom sets out for all of you from the garden. I’m trying to learn how to cook/serve “greens” as we live in Ohio and we are trying to eat more of these foods. Love your blog.
Jamie S.
Like many of post above, your blog is the first I read each day and, amazed at your father. Your parents are remarkable people. I enjoy and look forward to your post about them. Thanks for the coconut cake recipe from your Mom, can not wait to try it. I would like to see post with your father giving us gardening tips and your Mom sharing some of her good southern recipes, but whatever you post will be helpful to us. I am enjoying your Wed. post on clothing fashion, also enjoy all your DIY projects. Give your parents a big hug from one of your faithful readers in middle Georgia. I know you thank the Lord each day for having these 2 wonderful people in your life. Hope you have a good day!
Thank you, Theresa! I tell them all the time they have fans all over the world. I’m happy to share them with all of you. Thank you for being such a supporter of my blog! And yes, we are so thankful to have the parents we do.
Your dad reminds me of mine. I always enjoy your stories about your family.
Love, love the posts about your dad.
My granddaddy loved his garden and this reminds me of those sweet memories.
Your dad is such an inspiration. What a wonderful husband and father he is!
Your dad never ceases to amaze me, I love posts about your parent’s they are inspiring and show that if you keep going you will keep going :). I agree that later in life you need something that will keep you motivated, fit and happy and that is exactly what your daddy’s garden is doing for him and giving great enjoyment and nourishment at the same time. No nasty spray’s, just natural gardening.
I only have a small garden, probably smaller than your daddy’s veggie patch but inspired by your families vegetables and a lady growing hers in 9 litre plastic pails I have now got 6 on the go growing all my own lettuces, spring onions, mixed salad and herbs. This year I have put some leeks in but not sure if there is enough room for them to grow properly but experimenting. I only use organic mix and it seems to make everything thrive.
Can’t wait to see the garden once it is fully established.
Lee
I echo everyone else’s sentiment about how much I love reading about your folks. Your daddy’s gardens are incredible and then we get to hear about your mama cooking it all up! It would be awsome if you could post more videos of your dad and his gardening tips this year. He is a star you know!!!
I know I’ve said it before, but I need to say it again. Your dad is amazing! That is such back-breaking work!