Pap’s old tiller finally gave up the ghost. It was about 20 years old so we got a lot of garden work out of it over the years.
As I set in the shade and watched The Deer Hunter break in the new tiller I was surrounded by the delightful smell of fresh turned soil. It’s one of my favorite scents.
I love the smell because it ties me to the land and harkens back to every summer of my life—from childhood to middle age.
The smell holds the promise of a bountiful garden producing food to fill mine and my family’s bellies.
When I was a child I thought of the annual turning of the soil and planting of the garden as a celebration. There was always someone to run and play with while the grown ups were working.
Once I got older I quickly realized the pleasure and satisfaction that comes from growing the food you eat.
Last night’s video: The Thread that Runs So True 4.
Tipper
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INTERESTING THAT GOD CREATED ADAM FROM DIRT! WE USED TO SNEAK OUT ON THE GOLF COURSE AND WITH A FLASHLIGHT LOOK FOR WORMS WHEN WE WANTED TO GO FISHING. WE COULD STAND TWENTY FOOT AWAY AND WHEN THE UNDERGROUIND SPRINKLER SYSTEYTEM CAME ON THE WORMS WOULD COMER UP FOR WATER THATS WHEN WE COULD SCOOP THEM UP AND GO FISHING.
We have a Wizard-Western Auto front tine tiller that was bought in the mid 70’s. It has a Briggs and Stratton engine on it and is still going strong. We have not used it as much as some would because of having large gardens and using farm tractors but have used it enough to wear the tines out. I have been looking for tines but have not had much luck. I found plenty for the rear tine Troybilt tiller. I am thinking about buying a set of them
Don’t know the difference between a rear or front tine tiller but I’m so happy for Matt he got what he needed to work smarter not harder. This morning looking at my small garden I thought of an old nursery rhyme..now don’t laugh..Brenda Brenda quite contrary how’s your garden grow..with hydrangeas in bloom, nasturtiums growing, cucumbers running, tomatoes blooming and 10 little old maids in a row! Outside of knowing Christ, that brings me pleasure and satisfaction!
Old tiller deserves a place, maybe with a scarecrow in the new corn field. Just an idea. I like to see folks use an old broke down tractor for display on the farm
We tilled with Grandpa’s tiller which was old when we got it. We literally ran the wheels off it. That was back when I could still till and I thought of Grandpa every time we used it. It traveled from Southwest Tn to here in Middle TN and finally back home with my younger brother. I love the smell of fresh turned soil and of the rain coming.
Dear friends, Congratulations on the new tiller. Matt is such a hard working person, as you all are, he should have, and deserves, equipment and tools he wants and needs to ply his trade. He is a “Jack of all trades.” An admirable thing. Getting close to grandson #2. I’m sure everyone is anxious, especially Corie and Austin. May she have an easy time and be bringing him home soon, if not already. Blessings to everyone. Have a great weekend. Jennifer
Ages ago as a young adult, I lived in a rented farmhouse surrounded by farmland. My favorite smells still are fresh turned earth and hay being cut. Lilacs are next, and I also love being in a horse barn with the mingled smells of horses, hay and leather.
My goodness that teacher sounds like a good’n . What the dictionary calls a dragonfly:) it landed on your blouse when you were reading, we called it a snakedoctor. When I was young I always wondered if you saw them out and about was there a snake nearby:) I was able to finish planting all my planters. Tommy toes, bush beans, snap peas, cucumbers, yellow squash, zucchini, one large tomato plant and two everbearing strawberry plants in hanging baskets. I already have one from last year that survived the winter and really produced well for me last year. As you drive out on the country roads all around me the farmers have turned over their fields and planted. All those fresh turned ground with acres and acres of fields have their own beauty, and here in SCPA we will have plenty of corn knee high by July or maybe a little higher. Yum, Yum!
I have always said there is nothing like the smell of fresh turned soil. I am sorry that Pap’s tiller gave out, but glad Matt got a new one. It looks really nice, and I hope it lasts a long time. I had seen in an earlier video that the corn is looking good. I am praying it that you will have a bounty of that beautiful Silver Queen corn 🙂
Tipper, I just love The Thread That Runs So True. I ordered it and it came a few days ago. You picked another super book! Thank you!
Also, I wanted to say I thought Corie’s baby shower was beautiful!
That looks like a front tine tiller. Those things jerk me something awful in rocky soil. I bought a rear tine one some fifteen years ago. It’s much easier and still starts on the first pull. I need to get it out and get to the grass and weeds in my tomato patch.
I had to smile when I read your statement that you loved the smell of freshly turned soil. I thought I was the only one who thinks freshly turned soil is one of my very favorite smells ever. It holds so much for me in memories, and really it holds promise. My childhood holds memories of huge gardens that had an abundance of especially potatoes, beans, tomatoes, and corn. I have worked harder in a garden than I ever thought I could, and not because I fear starving. I just love taking a simple seed and watching what seems like a miracle as it grows. I am actually frugal, but have to watch overspending on seeds and plants. I am always so glad to read and now watch your yearly gardening projects. Mom’s little tidbits of helpful info still rings in my ears all these years later, such as “Missouri Wonders are better than Kentucky wonders, Black seeded Simpson, Kennebec potatoes.” I still rely on most of that information, and I am hesitant to try anything new. These are the ways of the Appalachian people, and I will always believe our parents taught us to enjoy hard work. Dad’s old tiller is still going strong after 25 years, but I no longer have it. I knew all along you would do wonderfully, Tipper, because you are onto something. All the folks in Appalachia are so grateful to see their region portrayed in a favorable light. Also, with the troubles of the world blasting in the news, everybody needs a quiet place they can go to gent away from all the chaos. You bring all that to us with your videos and blog.
My parents didn’t do much gardening. But, oh do I live to smell freshly cut grass! Brings back memories of going barefoot and watching to not step on the plentiful bees that graced the clover in our yard.
I am sorry the old tiller finally gave up on ya, but happy that you got a new one already. I love the smell of soil too. One if my favorite things to do is sit by the garden and watch and breathe in the lovely odor when hubby is tilling the garden. Then, when the garden is growing, the smell of the dirt is combined with the smell of tomato and other plants. I love to walk to the garden and into the woods after a spring rain. There’s a smell that makes me feel so peaceful…the damp soil, the rain, plants, earthworms…all combine to feel like home.
I am just loving your new book. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy life to read to us.
I’m glad Matt finally got him a new tiller that he feels is compatible to Pap’s old tiller. Like y’all said in the video I watched last night, it’s hard now days to find thinks that last longer than a year. They just don’t make things now days to last twenty years or longer like they use too. Equipment of any kind now days due well to even get one year out of them. Hopefully, the tiller Matt picked out will last for many years to come. I agree, there is nothing that can compare to the smell of fresh tilled soil. I love how you word things Tipper! I never thought of how some smells tie us to things, like the smell of fresh tilled soil ties us to the land. Beautifully written Tipper!
I love the smell after a good rain. The scent of the wet earth reminds me that new growth is on the way.
I know. Something about when the soil is turned over and mixed up. It smells so good. Some people might think we’re crazy. It’s just that we appreciate what God has given us and we can use it. We have expanded on our beds this year. I am so happy.
Glad Matt got a new piece of equipment. Sometimes you just have to let the old go.
Fresh turned soil; buttercups; and helping granny shuck corn and snap beans dance through my memories of my childhood. Wonderful!
There is nothing cleaner than dirt!
Me to. Good ground freshly turned smells so promising. I notice dirt anywhere I see it and try to understand its possibilities. To do that, I look at what is growing there (just not the plants that will grow anywhere). For those with farming in their blood I think they just do that even when they are not thinking about it.
I find it impossible to adequately describe aromas. What words convey the pleasant smells of freshly turned soil or frying bacon? It is beyond my modest vocabulary.
Yay for the new tiller and for the man operating it! Glad your Pap’s old tiller got to make a final lap in it’s familiar soil before it expired. Praying for a bumper crop for you guys! As Paula Dean would say, “Love and best dishes!”
I agree Tipper! To me, there’s nothing better than the sweet satisfaction of going to the garden to get your dinner!
I live in the city and don’t have much room to garden. But since I’m by myself I can eke out enough space to at least put by some of that climbing spinach like you have, some potatoes, tomatoes, strawberries, cabbage, kale, beets and one tiny row of corn. I also found space for green beans and peas by using large pots. I don’t produce enough to can, but the freezer is full. God Is Good!! Love to you and the family!!
I totally get what you are saying. I love the smell of fresh turned soil.
We live in a small town and its nickname is “Cow Town” because it smells like cows… cow manure that is. I am a weirdo that likes that smell. It reminds me of growing up on a farm. Some turn up their noses, but I take a big whiff and think about my childhood.
I remember gathering cow patties in a bucket to soak and then pouring that on the rosebushes. We had the most beautiful roses.
Thanks for the walk down memory lane again.
About cow patties…wild turkeys flip the dry ones to snack on whatever they uncover. To the trained eye, a few flopped patties say you’re in a good spot for hunting turkeys.
ahhhh I can almost smell the soil as I read your post this morning—myself and one particular cousin absolutely love the smell of freshly turned ground…driving down a highway past large fields that have recently been plowed is an intoxicating aroma for us-something too many people just don’t understand. For those people I almost feel sad for them–I would rather smell God’s wonderful dirt than to smell bread baking in the oven……well, maybe that is a close call 🙂 but you know what I mean. God’s many blessings I pray continue in and on you and your family…praying for a safe entry into this world for Corrie’s son….it is almost here–if it isn’t already here.
I have already left a comment, but this is just the way I am and goes back to some of the comments about keeping or saving things. I would keep Pap’s tiller and try my best to fix it, from the pictures of it, it still seemed to be in pretty good shape. I am going to pick on/tease Tipper, I set in the shade and watched Matt break in the new tiller. Were you a good wife and telling him what he was doing wrong? I said I was teasing!
First of all, I’m sorry to hear of Pap’s tiller biting the dust, but very happy you got a new tiller cause the show (or garden) must go on! Bellies need filled daily and the Bible says we must earn our keep by the sweat of our brow! Translated, it means if one doesn’t work at it, he or she shouldn’t expect much food on their plate. I look around me and cannot see one family who would not benefit from planting a garden. Children learn what work is about and all feel a sense of satisfaction and pride in working TOGETHER for a bountiful outcome! There are 3 gardens in my neighborhood and I have one. There’s a guy above me who has about 10 tomatoes in boxes on a homemade terrace facing southward. I am seeing people start to embrace gardening around me-be it ever so meager. It’s a good start anyway! Aphids have really done a number on me this year cause they’re literally in the big oak hanging over the house… one thing I got is ambition so aphids will go one way or another… love and blessings to all and HAPPY GARDENING!!!
I love that smell, too!
If you got 20 years out of the precious machine, I think you got your dimes worth. Thanks for posting.
Prayers for Granny and God’s Blessing on your growing family.
I too like the smell of fresh plowed dirt, especially the first time it is plowed in the spring and I also like the smell of fresh cut grass. I can remember back to when I was a teenager helping pick up square bales of hay the smell of the fresh hay. I plan on cutting about 2-3 acres of grass today, so I guess there will be plenty of grass for me to smell. I can ride a mower but am no longer able to do the trim work, someone else has to do it. Tipper I watched the video of y’all hoeing and plowing the corn, I would dearly love living in a mountain home and having a creek like that that running near my home. It would be icing on the cake if the creek had trout in it.