by Mary Emma Allen
The days grow longer, the sun peeks in our windows with more warmth, the trees begin to swell with buds, and crocuses poke up here and there. Spring is arriving even though we still have days of chilly weather and perhaps a snowflake or two.
With thoughts of spring, gardening comes to mind. The stores set out their seed displays and gardening tools catch our eyes. Even though we may not have a garden ourselves, we perhaps remember those of childhood or when we lived in other homes.
We notice neighbors getting out their cultivators and turning up the garden plot.
Just knowing garden season is near, our spirits brighten and the sluggishness of winter suddenly goes away.
Shall We Discover Heirloom Seeds?
If we are planning for a garden, we ponder on what we'll plant this year. Shall we stick with the old standbys or try something new? Or shall we be very creative and research some of the old or heirloom seeds?
Some gardeners like to find the seeds their ancestors grew, or those that might have been planted in the gardens of their childhood. Seed companies have cropped up which grow and sell these seeds in an attempt to perpetuate the old varieties and make them available to the public.
Original American Seeds
The original American seeds may be varieties grown by the Native Americans and adapted by the European and settlers. Other varieties, brought here so long ago by the colonists, also are considered "originals" or heirlooms.
Not knowing what they'd find in the New World, the early settlers often carried along seeds to plant in their gardens and on their farms. Later settlers also had their supply of seeds. So the heirloom varieties that have been grown through the years could have evolved from any of these.
Eventually biologists developed strains that grew better and produced more. Nowadays this science has developed into genetic engineering and plant "breeding" for new seed varieties that provide fruit, vegetables, and grain with sometimes more nutrients, are more disease resistant, and produce larger quantities.
Great Variety of Beans
Just in the bean family, we'll find a great variety, from various sources. Some beans were brought by the colonists from the 1600s through the 1800s. Others were found growing in this country.
One variety of bush beans, which the natives dried, is believed to have had it's origin in the Southwest as early as 130 AD. Some black beans were found originally in Mexico and South America.
The bean known as the "soldier bean, with the markings supposedly resembling a soldier, was grown and used extensively in early New England. Other beans supposedly came from Scandinavia and Germany.
Early Cabbage
Cabbage is another early vegetable which many colonists raised for it saved well into winter. Some heirloom varieties were brought over from England, while others evolved here.
Try a CABBAGE CASSEROLE - Separate the leaves of a small cabbage (or slice the cabbage) and boil for 6 to 8 minutes in lightly salted water. Make a cheese sauce by melting 1/4 pound Velveeta cheese with 1/2 can evaporated milk. (You can use regular milk if you prefer.) Alternate layers of cabbage and cheese in casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees F. for about 30 minutes.
Mary Emma Allen also writes children's stories, family articles, travel pieces, and books. For more "Country Kitchen" information, check out Mary Emma's website at http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/mea or email mailto:me.allen@juno.com .
