Pictured is Terry and Cathy Johnson’s home garden. Submitted photo.
By Lynn Janaskie
Master Gardeners means many things to many people, but basically everyone shares the art of gardening—whether it be flowers, herbs, or vegetables. To some of us, it also brings back good memories and creates new ones.
A couple of weeks ago, a dear friend of mine asked me if I wanted some fresh vegetables from her and her husband’s garden. I said “yes” before she could tell me what she had. But I did catch, “You can come pick some green beans.”
Growing up in West Texas, I remember visiting my grandmother in Bearden, Arkansas. She always had a beautiful flower garden filled with zinnias to the side of her house and a big vegetable garden in the back close to the chicken coop. I loved visiting her and helping her in the vegetable garden.
When I got to my friend’s house, she showed me where to start picking the green beans, and she left me to my own thoughts. It was so nice to be out there reminiscing about my youth and the fun times I had visiting my grandmother. When I left my friend’s house, not only did I have green beans and a bag of other vegetables, but I also left with a wonderful feeling of past memories, and I made new ones. Gardening is different for everyone, but hopefully we can all recall old memories or start new ones.
Lynn Janaskie volunteers with Garland County Master Gardeners of the UofA Div. of Agriculture, Cooperative Ext. Service. Master Gardeners pool skills and resources to improve home horticulture, stimulate interest in plants and gardening, and encourage beautification.
