Grandpa's Garden

One year in New York Grandpa decided to buy three rose bushes. He planted them in the front yard under the living room window. One each in red, yellow,and pink.

When they needed weeding he would lay down on the grass and talk to the roses while he pulled the weeds. Even when he watered them he had a few kind words for them. Well, it paid off. The roses came up beautifully. There were red roses on one side and pink roses on the other. The middle bush had some yellow, some yellow and red, and some yellow and pink. Many would say it was because the bushes were planted together but Grandpa always swore it was from him talking nicely to them.

When we moved to California our backyard was in three sections. There was a pool, a little grass area and along the length of the back fence there was a raised area that Grandpa said would be perfect for a garden. I do not remember all of it but I know there was a lot of ivy and an oleander tree. He wanted to take all that out and plant vegetables on one half and flowers on the other half. For some reason Grandma always told him no she liked it the way it was.

After Grandpa passed away at such a young age I always wanted to start a garden and put up a garden sign labeled Grandpa's Garden. Unfortunately I am not an outdoor person during the summer and do not get much yard work of any kind done. I remembered this story when talking to Christopher. He told me he started a garden. He brews his own beer and is growing the hops he needs. Along with onions, tomatoes, squash, okra, jalapeños, and a few other treats. I am sure Grandpa is looking down ... smiling.