Hmmm, I have to say my earliest memories would be my grandparents large garden in Southeast Michigan. I think I was maybe four or five?? I remember harvesting the corn. It was hand picked and loaded into a wheel barrow. I remember sitting out the back door shucking either for canning or freezing.
The other thing I remember about my grandparents garden was being so excited to visit in the summer because I always got to pick some Gladiola stems to take home!!
My mother also gardened. But I don't have much memory of that until high school. I remember the square foot gardens she had. And I remember never wanting to go out and help! LOL!! I do remember so enjoying living off cucumbers and tomato sandwiches in the summer! And fresh lettuce. EXCEPT the time I was down to my last bite. I held the bowl up to my mouth and went to scoop the last bits into my mouth! And what did I see but a small slug scootching its way towards my mouth!
Of course as a teenager I was hysterical!
I know my mom also had flower gardens too. And I have a vague memory of helping her build a round bed out in the back yard. But for the life of me I cannot picture a single flower that went into it.
I also remember spending summers in Northern Michigan when my grandparents moved up there. Never will I forget helping my in my uncle's cherry orchards, picking cherries with the dew still on them and it running all the way down my arms, sides, and into the waist of my shorts. Oh and getting paid 50 cents labor per lug!
I thought it was big money!
