In the July/August 2009 issue, National Home Gardening Club members shared stories about the first plants they ever grew. Here are more memories from NHGC members:

melon mix-up
When I was 10, I asked if I could plant a watermelon seed. We live in northeastern Pennsylvania, so watermelons are hard to grow to maturity, but by Labor Day there was a single melon on the vine. When I cut it in half, it was an odd shade of orange. It turned out that my watermelon plant had been eaten by rabbits, so my parents planted a pumpkin seedling to replace it. They thought I wouldn’t notice. ?Jim Rogowski, Scranton, PA

rescue mission
Twelve years ago, a philodendron in my classroom kept getting knocked over by my students, so I brought it home, and I still have it. I take cuttings from it every year to pass along to family and friends. ?Michele Persak, Mechanicsburg, PA

memories of Mom
The first plant I grew was lily of the valley. When my mother moved into a senior residence, I dug up those flowers and planted them at my home so I could remember my mom and our old home. I love looking at them when they’re in bloom. ?Elma Spacht, Ripley, NY 

the popcorn winter
There are seven kids in my family, and every year my mother would plant a vegetable garden and can the produce to help feed us. One year I planted rows of popcorn seeds. To my surprise and delight, the corn stalks grew. I harvested the seeds, and through the winter we enjoyed popcorn from home-grown seeds. ?Beverly Watry, Colorado Springs, CO

red is for remember
The first flowers I ever planted were bright red tulips. My mother and I planted them together at her home. She’s gone now, but I plant several red tulips in my home garden in remembrance of her. ?Karina Rowe, Weston, WV

a gardener at 10
My first plants were blue and violet morning glories. At 10 years old I was responsible for them from beginning to the end: I turned the soil, placed manure water in the hole, planted them, placed a trellis for them to grow on, and watched them grow. It brought back memories of my grandmother’s gardens and flowers. ?Sharon J. Morvay-Slike, Union City, PA