Seems as if we just got through with New Year’s & Easter and here we find ourselves already past Memorial Day with Dad’s Day right around the corner. The end of this June month should mark the midway of this year, according to my meager mathematical measure. To tell the truth, I’ve always had a penchant for Math, it’s only Algebra that befuddled me. Seems there was a well known quote from Einstein or some other smart fellow, that went something like : “If you ever think about going back and being a kid again, remember Algebra”! I would totally concur on that one.

Gardening activity has certainly been on the up-swing around our parts the past few weeks. Regular rainfall does give folks a bit more of a positive outlook on vegetable gardening, as well as yard & landscape activities, too. The regular rain has also pretty well spread the initiation or planting season over a broader period, as well. We see some folks that got their warm weather crops planted about the 1st of April and some of them paid the price of some new plants following the frost.

Then we see some others that have just now gotten around to planting their rows of Okra. Okra is one crop, sort of kin to Cotton, that doesn’t mind being late as it really enjoys the warm, summer months, provide it has enough water to stay alive. Squash is another that is really starting to do well right now. I’m reminded to advise folks to sprinkle some Sevin dust around the base of the Squash plants at first bloom stage, so as to control the dreaded Squash Vine Borer.

This dastardly pest is the one responsible for the Squash vine seeming to “melt” away just about the time it swings into full production. The Harkey House has sampled some of the early produce from several area gardeners such as Skeeter Grumbles, B. Moore’s of China Creek, Willy Ray’s, Tennessee’s, and King’s Crossing up at Sloan and all has been tender & tasty.

I also bartered a bit of Okra seed that is a family Heritage variety handed down around Wallace Creek & Sloan for around a hundred years or so. Heritage seed varieties of vegetables is a lot of fun and some of the enjoyment is in the taste of the vegetables at table time. I know that a lot of the hybrid seed varieties that have been bred up by the Agronomic research scientists & big seed companies have developed these varieties for disease & insect resistance, color, size, increased production and other traits, with little acknowledgement of taste, at times. This factor, plus the fact of many of our old time seed companies are no longer in business.

Anyhow, if you would like some assistance or additional info. on the subject, you can check with a good gardening neighbor or give the County Extension office a visit or call down at the Courthouse. They also have a Master Gardener’s program that usually meets during the “growing” months for educational activities. I will try to see if I can look up my Harkey Cousin’s great Squash recipe for the next “News” edition as the early squash looks like it’s fixin’ to really start coming on.

Shaw & yrs. truly have been trying to get some “throw-lines” set out on the banks of the San Saba, but bait has been in short supply, as many of the perch tanks went dry last summer. Anyhow, we’ll be seeing how it goes with all the activity out around——————Harkeyville!!!!!!!!!