I had my first experiences in the garden when I was very small, around 5 or 6 years old, in my grandparent's vegetable gardens in rural Virginia, in the late 60's. They were tobacco farmers, and at that time still had a team of work horses, no tractors or other mechanical means of tending the earth.  I can remember my grandfather behind the plow, opening the rows in the red clay earth. My grandmother would let me plant the largest seeds, such as lima beans, as my small hands could handle those better.  I remember her telling me how far apart to plant them, and then she would follow with the hoe and cover them... (see more)