Start your New Year with a bit of luck and nutritious eating. Try a few of these food-related traditions and then plan on growing a few of your own to enjoy.
Eating grapes on New Year’s Eve is a Mexican culinary tradition. One grape is eaten with each stroke of midnight and is believed to lead to prosperity in the year ahead. Grapes are low in saturated fats and relatively high in vitamins C and K.
If space allows, grow your own grapes in a sunny location on decorative arbors and trellises. Use these as a decorative and edible entryway to the garden, as screening, or to provide shade. Plan for the squirrels and birds that may join you during harvest season.
In the southern United States, black-eyed peas have long been part of the New Year’s celebration. Many people believe the swelling of the peas as they cook represents prosperity, while others think their shape resembles coins.
Southern peas are warm-weather plants and should not be planted until the soil is warm and toasty, preferably above 65 degrees. Multiple plantings can be made at three-week intervals to have fresh peas all summer and fall. Space the seeds about two inches apart down the row. The rows should be three to four feet apart.
