Childhood memories: Sweat and joy in the vegetable garden (2)

"The eaves are long and moss-free, and the flowers and trees are planted by hand." A vegetable garden built and cultivated by one's own hands is not only pleasing to the eye, but also gives rise to a sense of pride and a sense of strangeness from within. Unusual sweetness.

When the warm breeze is enough to open the heart of the earth, and when the warm sunshine is enough to warm the tender seedlings, we gently open the small plastic shed in the vegetable patch, and the seedlings stretch out in the wind. Bathed in the bright sunshine, waving to us with a smile.

The adults then began to be busy day and night. They had to plant the planted seedlings in the gardens and fields in time. The garden is not very big, and the adults are eager to do the work in the field. Of course, it was planted quickly.

There are several rows of eggplants, beans, potatoes, peppers and corns, as well as several rows of green onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, etc. In the eyes of our children, this is fine after summer. The delicious food that can be enjoyed at any time will also be the source of our endless joy.

Therefore, when the adults moved to the fields, the remaining work in the garden naturally fell on our shoulders. And we have no regrets, no shirk, and actively take over the rest of the business.

First clean up the garden, gather up the extra seedlings and uprooted weeds and throw them away. The next step is to tidy up the water channels and dig them as flat as possible to ensure smooth flow of water so that the vegetable garden can be watered easily.

The last step is of course to water the planted seedlings. This time the watering must be sufficient so that both the land and the seedlings are well fed and full of energy to grow vigorously.

Rural wells require constant manual pressure increase to ensure continuous water output. The water pressed up from the well is clear and cool, and it has become a starting point of happiness for us.

We played while watering the garden, taking turns pressing the water and splashing water on each other. The sound of laughter kept echoing over the yard. Until our parents came back and saw us all wet and splashed with mud, they would scold us, but they couldn't suppress the smiles on their lips.

The next days were spent in labor and expectation, and I had to comb the entire vegetable garden with my eyes every day. Wherever the seedlings are dense, they need to be thinned out; where the land is dry, water them; where fertilization is needed, add some manure.

I tend to the seedlings in the garden wholeheartedly, raising my chin and looking forward to seeing the fruits of my labor soon. I also look forward to the green and lush garden, the blossoming flowers, the bees and butterflies. Dance together.

The surprise begins with the first little white or yellow flower that blooms in the vegetable garden. In those fields full of hope, there are seedlings stretching, stretching, and being put on the shelves every day, and there are a few little flowers the next day. Bulging, blooming, and swaying in the wind.

Then, joy overflowed from under the seedling frame, which was loose and tight, both successful and failed, and the smile slowly spread under the gaze with unblinking eyes and concentration, and the contented and enthusiastic joy They also come one after another in eager anticipation.

The weather is getting warmer and warmer, and the vegetable garden is really ushering in a good scene of lush branches and leaves, strong seedlings and sweet fruits. This place has become a paradise for children day by day. They catch bees and butterflies, hide their bodies, and play. This dense green gauze tent is really a good place.

Here you can avoid the eyes of adults and keep children's secrets. It can block the scorching sun and enjoy the coolness in summer. You can dodge the search of your friends and enjoy the fun and excitement of the game.

This mysterious and sweet vegetable garden is also a natural canteen for friends. It is sour and delicious, sweet and juicy, spicy and hot, and it is full of delicious enjoyment.

Here are the tender and tender cucumbers that have just been hung on the seedlings. They are picked quietly and put into the mouth without washing carefully. The "click-click" sound of chewing is accompanied by the sweet juice and the last bite is swallowed. Fresh and tender.

There are small water radishes here that still have an earthy smell. I hurriedly pulled them up, rubbed them with radish tassels, and took a big bite. The spicy taste of the pink radish skin slightly tickled my nose. A few tears of enjoyment, the sweetness of the white radish core tickled the taste buds of satisfaction.

Not to mention the tomatoes that almost grow into my eyes. I calculate them every day and check them all the time. If there is even a slight hint of red or yellow face, I can’t wait to pick them off without hesitation and use the lapel of my clothes. Wipe it lightly and bring it to your mouth.

First, I gently bite a small mouth with my front teeth, and take a sip hurriedly. The juice is sour and numb, and the numbness is sweet. I open my twitching eyes and endure the panic in my heart. , take a few more bites, and continue to enjoy the pleasure of twisting your mouth, squinting your eyes, smacking your tongue, and baring your teeth.

This magical vegetable garden in my memory is full of sweet delicacies, laughter and joy. It is the joy of watering with sweat and the sweetness gained by hard work.

I miss it very much.

2019.4.18