Master gardener hands off to the next generation
Stecoah – Billy Holder was the last gardener featured in The Graham Star’s “Green Thumbs” series in 2021.
The 88-year-old Stecoah resident had three gardens back then (he has four now), but this story is about the torch he handed off this year to his granddaughter, Hannah Anderson.
Billy and his late wife raised Hannah after her mother died when she was 8 years old. She was often by her grandfather’s side while he tended his gardens – but she didn’t pay attention, she now confesses.
Hannah and her husband Cameron live off of Lower Stecoah Road.
Billy plowed a small garden plot for them back in April and Hannah has been playing catchup.
“We’ve been pulling weeds ever since,” Hannah said.
Cameron also comes from a solid gardening pedigree. His grandfather was the late Ray Orr, a prominent local farmer who maintained five-to-seven gardens of his own before he passed away in May.
“I paid attention,” Cameron said.
In fact, some of the seeds he used in the garden were his grandfather’s, who kept them frozen until needed.
Still, neither Hannah nor Cameron are farmers, per se. Hannah works in the medical field and Cameron works for the N.C. Department of Transportation.
Billy examined their work during a visit on June 29. They were doing a good job keeping the garden free of weeds and bugs, he said.
The Andersons are growing squash, cucumbers, onions, okra, green beans and two rows of Cotton Kandy sweet corn. It’s much the same as what Billy grows in his gardens, except for one thing – tomatoes.
Billy loves tomatoes. He has been known to carry a salt shaker in his pocket and eats tomatoes off the vine. He plants more than he needs and gives his surplus freely to neighbors off a “tomato table” he sets up in his carport.
Hannah and Cameron aren’t fond of tomatoes.
The Anderson’s garden is in a good spot on the edge of a field where tobacco was once cultivated until about 25 years ago.
The plot gets plenty of sunshine all day and is low enough where the soil stays moist – but high enough for it to drain.
The weather has been uncooperative during recent weeks. Most of North Carolina is experiencing abnormally-dry weather, including western North Carolina and Billy has been thinking about running a line to a small creek from across the road.
They are already making plans for fall crops once their summer crops are harvested.
* Gardeners’ tips: Billy suggests you put your garden where there is good, rich soil that is well drained.
Hannah said patience is key.
Cameron suggests: “Try to learn as much as you can from anybody in the family who does this.”