St. Patrick’s Day was beautiful in north Texas this spring. Everything is beginning to turn green, trees are budding out and the sun shone brightly. No gloomy skies and drizzly rain.
Neither my husband nor I have Irish ancestors. His family were Scots who were sent to Ireland before sailing to America. They were in Tennessee in the 1830s. I know because one of the men married a woman on my line. I believe that is called Calabash Cousins. My Irish connection was an ensign on a ship that docked at Williamsburg in its early days. He liked it so much he stayed and we’re still here. Actually, he probably wasn’t Irish. He stated his home was the Isle of Mann, a part of England.
But we don’t let such frivolities get in the way of enjoying Corned Beef and Cabbage every St. Patrick’s Day. This year was no exception. However, since I only cook this dish once a year its flavor varies from year to year. Our son tells me I should practice. One of these days I will.
But the weather was so beautiful we planted twenty-four Early Girl tomato plants. That’s right, two dozen tomato plants for two people. Beware if you see me coming this summer with a grocery sack under my arm. I’m trying to foist some of my crop on anyone who will take them.
I chose Early Girls back in 2012. We had a strange spring that year. When May 22nd came around, I had fresh tomatoes. How do I remember? That was my father’s ninety-first and last birthday. Numerous times his mother told me that on the day he was born, his father had tomatoes ripe on the vines. Over the years I tried to reach that record.
Early Girl tomatoes are noted for early blooms and fruit. They produce ripe tomatoes within fifty days. I expect to have fresh tomatoes on May 6 if everything goes well.
But does Texas weather always go well? Probably not. First of all, the mesquite trees have not put on leaves. That is a most tried and true sign for folks living west of I-35. And I believe it! Then there is the Easter Cold Spell my mother-in-law believes in. Easter this year is April 21.
Just to be on the safe side, my husband told me to get more tomato plants, some okra, and some green beans. I waited too long for onions and radishes. They go in the ground at Valentine’s Day. I forgot them but did get my rose bushes pruned at that time. In addition to the vegetables, I planted fifteen new rose bushes.
My enthusiasm will wane when the temperature reaches 97 degrees, my standard for hot weather. Let’s hope we have a mild summer. Keep your fingers crossed.