I remember how my sister and I used to spend time with my grandma. On the big old farm there was plenty of space for growing fruit and vegetables and as children we often helped to sow or harvest things. Some of those moments are still present in my life today – and grandma often gives the best advice when it comes to the garden anyway.
It used to be a matter of course for many people: their own garden, with their own fruit, their own vegetables and, of course, a lot of work. Work that our grandparents apparently didn’t even notice. My grandma and grandpa spent every free minute in their garden as soon as the sun was shining, but also just before it rained. Nothing really stopped them from gardening, except maybe a storm – and later their aging bones. Even in her early 80s, my grandmother still pursues her passion for gardening. So it’s no wonder that she and many other grandparents had so many valuable tips ready for us over such a long time. Here are our garden tips from grandma and grandpa, collected from the editorial team:
You can still use this!
“My grandmother eats a boiled egg every day. When visitors come, it can be stirred, but most of the time the eggs end up in the pot. She always told me that the water is ideal for planting! Did my grandmother already have the I didn’t know the background of this trick or just wanted to save water, I can’t say. But the fact is: As so often, she was right. During cooking, the minerals are released from the shell and go into the water. I didn’t find out until much later I read it online. If you let the water cool down to room temperature after boiling eggs, it’s a wonderful fertilizer for plants. Pasta water is also good for this.”
And in the garden? “‘Use rainwater and cover the bin so that no animals are harmed there!”
Knee care for longer gardening time
“When our grandparents are still fit, they often can’t be gotten out of their garden even in their early 80s. I still remember how that sometimes led to discussions in our family. Grandma complained about her back while her children tried to encourage them to take more breaks and less gardening. But for many grandparents, having your own garden is simply a must and a little oasis of your own. After all, there is a solution to aching knees. According to grandma, when you pull weeds, you need a padded knee pillow . In the case of my grandmother, it was a rainbow-colored and water-repellent pad made of PE foam.”
First in the water, then in the ground
“My grandmother said: before I plant flowers in my flower boxes, I should dip the roots in water and then plant them. Then they will have enough water, even though they are at the bottom of the pots, and the soil is softer.”
Coffee against snails
“My grandmother didn’t have a garden, but my best friend’s grandmother did. I will never forget how we had to help spread coffee grounds in her allotment garden to keep snails off the bed. I was totally shocked because I’m a total city kid .” Coffee grounds are also suitable as fertilizer in the soil and provide a lot of nutrients. In order to use it, you should let it dry well beforehand.
Stay away from the earthworm
“My grandparents – both of whom fled from Pomerania – had a huge allotment garden in Lüchow with everything you can imagine in terms of fruit and vegetables. I practically grew up there and learned early on that the (not really attractive) earthworms are extremely important for the garden to loosen up the soil in the beds!”
“We often didn’t want to eat the (cut-out) apples that had a worm in them: My grandmother always said: ‘Worms know best which apples are particularly tasty – they test them out for you.’ Seal of quality, so to speak.”
patience in the garden
“My grandmother gave me this tip: ‘My experience has shown me the following: wait for spring. Depending on the region, the soil is still very cold. And the small creatures that are so important for the quality of a healthy soil need warmth. So just wait and see. And use the nice days to clean up. It’s also nice to watch nature awaken. These are happiness hormones for everyone, not just for the potter in the garden.”
“In any case, please pay attention to the ice saints and only then plant the plants in the ground. I first got to know the names through my grandmother – at least the cold Sophie.”
“Leave the pile of leaves for the hedgehogs in autumn. They will find shelter in them.” – and that not only helps the hedgehogs, but also the garden! Because if hedgehogs feel comfortable with you, they are also excellent pest eaters.
“My grandmother always said: ‘Child, the March sun is tough, you have to be careful when you’re outside.'”
Tuberous begonias as an insider tip
“‘The bulbous begonias, they are so grateful,’ my grandmother explained to me, she now has about 70 in her garden. ‘They do take a lot of work, in the fall they have to be taken out of the ground and overwinter and in the March you put them in the ground, then they start to sprout again and then you plant them back on the spot and enjoy them all summer – and the tubers, I’ve had them for 30 to 40 years! even share, I’ve already given some away.'”
Harvest right
“My grandfather always said: ‘You shouldn’t frighten cucumbers with cold water on hot days, otherwise they will become bitter!'”
Source: Hollingsworth et al, 2002; merkur.de, Grandma & Grandpa