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photo by Steve VanGunda
Millie Fallings spends a warm Monday afternoon pruning her plants in her garden.
Gardening with family makes great summer
Published Tuesday, June 17, 2008
NATCHEZ — Even in the sweltering summer heat, you’ll still find Millie Fallings tending to her garden.
A retired teacher who moved to Natchez from Kentucky in 2000 to be closer to her daughter and granddaughter, she spends her afternoons weeding and pruning beautiful tulips and roses.
This summer is extra special now that Millie watches her granddaughter Samantha, 3, during the day.
Photo by Steve VanGunda
Millie Fallings' granddaughter Samantha tries to weed the lawn with screwdriver.
“It’s nice to spend time out in the garden with Samantha,” she said. “She loves looking at the tulips and chasing the butterflies.”
Though she makes it look easy, Millie says keeping up the garden in the Mississippi heat is quite hard. The rewards for her hard work can be seen when her flowers bloom.
“Proper watering is the key,” Millie said. “Also finding a good way to keep bugs off the flowers is challenging at times. I can’t use regular pesticides because Samantha is in the garden with me now.”
Although Millie does most of the hard work, little Samantha enjoys pulling weeds and helping pat down seeds.
Comments
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on June 17, 2008 at 6:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is such a nice story. I could expound all day on the pleasures I have had watching the faces of my kids, grandkids and great-grand kids when they realize they can put a seed in dirt and watch what it becomes. The expression on their face is PRICELESS. My 8 yr old great grand son spent the weekend with me last weekend and he told me about everything that was growing in their garden and had to describe everything.
Posted by Plantastic (anonymous) on June 17, 2008 at 6:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hi Steve
Great post!
I thought your young gardeners would enjoy an gardening adventure, growing the TickleMe Plant (Mimosa pudica). Recently featured by the National Gardening Association, http://www.kidsgardeningstore.com/14-103...
If you want to give your young gardeners an experience they will never forget, consider having them grow a TickleMe Plant. This is the plant that will close its leaves and lower its branches when you tickle it. They sprout in days and can be grown indoors any time of year. Just Google TickleMe Plants or go to http://www.TickleMePlant.com for information seeds and growing kits. This plant has turned many kids into plant and nature lovers. I know, because I grow TickleMe Plants in my classroom.
Happy Growing!
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on June 17, 2008 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Love it! Doing anything with kids is great for you both, but gardening holds a special place. My kids still garden today, because they spent time with me learning and enjoying the wonders of it all.
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on June 17, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I remember when my granddaughter was born , I held a rose her Daddy had given her mother,under her nose for her to smell . It was probably her first experience with nature . She loves anything to do with plants and insects. I like to think the smell of that rose started it all . Or maybe it's just in her blood . This was a feel good article . I liked it and it was a good way to start the day.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on June 17, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am growing watermelons this year because of a grandson. He brought home two starter cups with watermelon seeds from school. I told him to put them by the potted plants in the backyard. I did not figure they would sprout so I would not have to mess with them. Well, low and behold, the seeds sprouted.
So, I figured the seedling would die and I would not have to mess with them. Good plan until I went out to dinner and his other grandmother was there. It seems that I got the two starter cups because he figured I would take care of them better than his other grandfather.
Well, I am growing watermelons and maybe there will be a knot or two for him to see?? It is kind of late in the season to be starting watermelons,
Oh, well, we will see. :o)
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on June 17, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a great story....We take our granddaughter to the garden with us as well...Let me tell you about her picking her first squash the other day lol...I was picking squash she went to the end of the row and that plant will never grow another squash but she got the 3 off that was on there lol..The plant was in every direction there was to be in lol.She was so proud of herself......
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