Spring plantin’ is more than plowin’ the ground

Published 11:00 pm Wednesday, May 2, 2012

At the Pioneer Museum of Alabama, it’s spring planting time so there are chores to do and fun to be had.

The museum will host its first ever Spring Plantin’ event on Saturday and Sunday and everybody with or without a green thumb is invited to come and help put the seeds in the ground, said Kari Barley, museum director.

Spring Plantin’ hours are 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday and 1 until 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $6 except for children ages five and under who are admitted free.

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Spring Plantin’ is an opportunity for those who have never been involved in spring planting to learning how it’s done and then actually be involved in planting the seeds in the ground,” Barley said.

“Spring Plantin’ is a family event so parents and grandparents are encouraged to share this experience with their children,” she said. “We’ll have a plowing demonstration as well as hand planting opportunities.”

Barley said a highlight of Spring Plantin’ will be the horse and plow demonstration.

“Most young people have never seen a horse-drawn plow so it should be especially interesting for them,” she said. “We’ll also be planting with the hoe — tomatoes, corn, watermelons and cantaloupes and flowers. The children will get to plant a flower seed to take home and watch grow.”

The Forestry Commission will give tips on identifying trees that are native to the area and

the local Master Gardeners will have an herb presentation.

Terra Cotta in Troy has donated a plant that will be given in a drawing from the names of all who attend Spring Plantin’.

Planting will be the focus of the springtime event, but other old-time demonstrations will provide learning and hands-on experiences.

“We’ll have basket weaving, blacksmithing, and cedar shingle riving demonstrations and two ‘through the ages’ demonstrations – photography and sewing,” Barley said.

The Lower Alabama Dutch Oven Cookers will be cooking on the grounds and give samples of their “famous” Dutch oven stew and apple cobbler for a “pretty please.”

“Our re-enactors will be in the Reunion and Demonstration cabins demonstrating the art of “making out” biscuits and churning butter.

Milky Moos will be onsite with sandwiches, chips and ice cream for sale.

“It will be a great day at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama and we invite everyone to come out and enjoy the fun of Spring Plantin,’” Barley said.