An Italian Gardener’s Heirlooms
by Christopher Francese
When most people think of family heirlooms, they think of jewelry, furniture, a watch or clock, but rarely do we think tools. I am fortunate to have several things which belonged to my grandparents, but my most prized are their tools of trade. I gave my son his first haircut with a pair of my maternal grandfather’s barber scissors, I stir my Sunday sauce with my grandmother’s wooden spoons, and I use numerous tools in my yard and garden that my paternal grandfather used landscaping. I feel a great connection to them using the same tools they used to put me where I am today, to take care of my home and family.
Growing up my family kept gardens. My mother kept a small garden at home and I remember the strawberry patch at my grandparents, but it was my father’s family who were the gardeners. My great-grandparents came from the town Tramonti in Campania, settled in Asbury Park, NJ and became landscape gardeners. My great-grandfather eventually bought an entire plot next to his son’s house where he kept his garden, which was basically a miniature farm, and my uncle still has to this day although not as big. The biggest impact on me was the garden and lawn my grandfather Sam Francese kept and which I remember the most. The grass was the softest I have ever known and you could just lay in for hours. His garden took up about half of the backyard with all the staples of an Italian garden, but most of all I remember the fig tree which was about eight feet tall and big. Every winter he would have it wrapped up with hay and blankets, and a bucket at the top like a sentinel waiting for spring. I actually dug out some roots and planted my own fig trees from my grandfather’s tree.
When he passed away, my father asked if I wanted any tools, which I took a few to use in my first home, and eventually when no one else wanted anything, I took the rest, restored them, and put them back into service. In my current home, I use these tools to maintain my property and to build and keep my own garden. I will often give thanks and say a prayer before starting a project.
My most used heirloom garden tools:
Antique pitchfork with a beautiful carved wooden handle - I use to to pick up leaves and brush
Edging shovel - I use this a lot
Garden hoe - This was covered and pitted with rust - I use it sparingly
Mattock - I used this to even out the ground when building the garden.
Three pronged cultivator - I use in the garden beds
Restored Garden Hoe
Sickle - I use around the property on brush and vines. This actually has my great-grandfather’s initial burned into the handle.
Grandfather’s Fig Tree and New Shoots