Long-time grower enjoys production
Palestine's William George Jr. attributes gardening for keeping him alive

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

William George Jr., 84, grows a wide variety of vegetables (including the onions he is holding), and fruits, on one-and-a-half acres near Palestine, and irrigates the plot with pond water when necessary. He sells his harvests at his farmers market on Park Avenue. He plans to add flower production to his activities soon by constructing a greenhouse next to the farmers market. -- Staff photo by Montgomery

May 13, 2004 -- This time of year most people are thinking about fresh garden vegetables.

Eighty-four-year-old William George Jr. of Palestine is no different; except George is not just thinking, he is growing his own vegetables; vegetables for him and for most of Palestine.

"If it wasn't for gardening, I would have been dead 10 years ago," George said.

Garden spots are scattered on the one-and-a-half acre farm on the east side of Palestine. Vegetables, such as tomatoes, potatoes, squash, onions, cucumbers, eggplants, green beans, purple hull peas, beets, bell peppers, jalapenos, spinach, grow dark and green.

"See those beautiful tomatoes growing in that red dirt? I was told nothing would grow in red dirt. But, look at those tomatoes. The secret is lime. You add enough, and your vegetables will grow."

George said this year he has about the prettiest tomatoes and onions. "I added more lime."

Another thing George adds to the soil is organic soil purchased in Madisonville.

"It's the stuff they grow mushrooms in," he commented.

George's soil preparation is one key to his success.

"He plans and plans well," began Anderson County Extension Agent Truman Lamb. "He knows what he wants to plant, prepares his soil. He is one of the best farmers I have ever worked with; not the biggest, but the most productive."

George grew up in the family produce business. That business, called the William George Company, sold produce fresh, frozen and canned to schools and restaurants. Ten years ago the company was sold to George and George's brother's children.

During the latter years of his employment at the company, George began growing tomatoes, which would eventually lead to other crops.

George recalled a time his wife said, "You're digging your grave with your own teeth," regarding gardening. She was complaining about how much it cost to grow tomatoes and he said he didn't care if it cost $10 to grow a tomato, he was going to continue growing them. Growing them is something he has continued. There are around 850 tomato plants on the farm.

Fruit trees, such as peaches, plums, figs are also grown on the acreage.

June 1, 2002, George started a little farmer's market, with help from Nohemy (Mimi) Ramirez. Ramirez had been working for the George family for about 18 years, and continues to help in the market today. Another employee is Pancho, who helps outside with the actual planting and gathering of the crops.

The vegetable grower will become a flower man later in the year, as plans are already under way to erect a greenhouse beside the farmer's market located on Park Avenue.

While George has such a passion for growing his garden, he wonders why more people do not farm.

"A 30-, 40-year-old could become wealthy farming. I can't understand how years and years ago, there were gardens everywhere. Today, people have land and won't farm. I just don't understand why. They could save lots of money farming."

Geroge added, "The worst thing about farming is you can't get anybody to work." He said, though, that as long as he is able, he will farm.

"It makes me feel good. Livens me up. If I get depressed or don't feel good, I will get on my golf cart and ride around my gardens. I'll probably live to be a 100."