Growing up gardening with Dad

By Paul Schnare

I always write a column about some facet of gardening. But a few years ago the column published on Mother's Day, so I wrote about my mom, the "gardener of plants and boys."

This column runs on Father's Day, so I thought it appropriate I write about my dad, Martin, who was a pretty good gardener.

My first recollection of his activities in the garden was watching him plant rose bushes along the rear property line of our home in Marshall, Missouri. I'm pretty sure he only planted five bushes, but when you are 4 or 5, it looks like a lot more than that.

After planting, I would go out with him and "help" him cut open blooms to give to Mom. I sure had to be careful so I didn't get "thorned."

A Veterans' Honor hybrid tea rose is seen at the Rose Garden in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday.Laura Simon

I also was the needed helper when giving them "dinner" (fertilizer) and a "drink" (water) every so often.

I later graduated to helping in the vegetable garden. When you are 5 or 6, the garden looks as big as Grandpa's bean field. It sure took a long time to get from one end of the row to the other.

Dad showed me how to make a trench with a hoe, then spread the seed and cover the seed with soil. Then you would give the seeds a drink.

I sure couldn't understand why we had to make the garden so muddy after planting the seed. You would think getting all of that mud on your shoes would make Mom mad.

When we moved to Cape Girardeau, I was a little older and knew a lot more about gardening. It was my responsibility to turn the soil in the spring (with a spade, because tillers were just coming on the market and Mom and Dad couldn't afford one).

A Tiffany hybrid tea rose is seen at the Rose Garden in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday, June 15, 2016.Laura Simon

Our garden was 50 feet wide and 50 feet long, so you can figure out how many times I would place one foot on the spade, push it into the ground and turn the soil. Planting seed sure was a lot easier and faster than doing all the prep work.

After high school I went to Mizzou, then the Army and then back to Mizzou. About that time my wife, Marilyn, and I bought our first home. It had plenty of room for a garden. Of course we started one and had some success with it. It sure was nice to have a "gardening expert" to talk with. Dad was only a phone call away.

I would like to think Dad's efforts with me subconsciously led me into the field of forestry and horticulture. He is the reason I am able to write this column.

If you are a dad, think about taking up gardening in some form or fashion. Spend time with your kids and teach them what is needed to "put food on the table."

Dad, happy Father's Day to you, and thank you for all you did for me. With love, your son.

A Julia Child rose is seen at the Rose Garden in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday, June 15, 2016.Laura Simon