This may have been a first for the colonists, but American Indians all across the U.S. had long had celebrations marking the end of the growing season, which we refer to as harvest festivals.
In addition to the “three sisters” (corn, beans and squash) discussed in last week’s column, many American Indian cultures also grew Jerusalem artichokes (tubers that are members of the sunflower family), potatoes, tomatoes and peppers.
What we call corn was known by American Indians, and now to most of the world, as maize. Maize is thought to have been domesticated in Mexico as much as 10,000 years ago. When the explorers arrived in the Americas during the 15th century, they triggered the worldwide spread of maize that has made it one the most commonly grown crops in the world.
Today, maize is used for food, feed and industry. All forms of maize are wind-pollinated, which is why many home gardeners experience mature ears that are not fully populated by kernels. The tassel is actually a grouping of male flowers, and when the conditions are right, they release their pollen in hopes it will travel to the nearest ear, as the pollen doesn’t seem to travel more than 10 feet.
Another traditional American Indian crop was tobacco. Tobacco was grown for spiritual rituals, medicine and trade, but that changed when the Europeans arrived. Tobacco usage shifted from occasional to recreational, which, due to its addictive properties, made it a lucrative crop. Most of the early settlements in the southeast were set up solely to grow and ship tobacco. Tobacco was the top crop in the south until cotton displaced it in the years before the Civil War.
• UC Certified Master Gardeners are available to answer your gardening questions from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 953-6112. Questions for Heather Hamilton can be submitted to ucmastergardener@gmail.com.
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