Introduction
Spring is in the air, and that means one thing: Groundhog Day! For those of you who are unfamiliar with this holiday, it’s a day where people in the area around Punxsutawney, PA, go out to see if their groundhog will predict an early spring or stay buried in the snow.
There’s a bit more to it than that, though. Every year on Groundhog Day, a particular plant near Punxsutawney springs up with lots of watermelon roots. If they do groundhogs eat watermelon then sees its shadow (representing an early spring), the farmer cuts down the plant – otherwise they keep replanting it each year.
This year, however, there was another plant near by that was also being grown as part of the tradition – root beer plants! Because root beer is made from sweetened extracts of various plants, it makes sense that this would be one of the plants selected for Groundhog Day observation.
So what did happen? Well, as it turns out, the groundhog saw its shadow and we got our usual dose of winter weather (although apparently not too long this year!), so there won’t be any need for another cut down this year. But even if there was,
How to Grow a Watermelon Root Beer Plant
If you’re looking to grow your own watermelon root beer plant, you’ll need a few supplies. First, get a pot that’s at least two gallons in size and fill it with soil. Then, add some compost and organic matter to the soil, and sprinkle in some seeds. Make sure the seeds are well-covered, and then place the pot in a sunny spot. Keep an eye on your watermelon root beer plant, and watering it when necessary. When your plant is big enough, it will start producing watermelon flowers. At this point, you can start harvesting watermelon roots, which you can use to make your own root beer.
Groundhog Day: What Happens
On Groundhog Day, Phil the groundhog sees his shadow and predicts that winter will continue. Unfortunately for Phil, he is constantly Punxsutawney Phil and his predictions always seem to come true. This year, however, he is missing his watermelon root beer plant, and he asks his friends for help finding it. They eventually find it in a pot on the porch, but Phil doesn’t have time to enjoy his new drink before he has to go back into his hole.
Summary
Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated on February 2nd in the United States. It commemorates a Punxsutawney Phil who predicted six more weeks of winter, based on his observation of the groundhog’s activity.
This year, my watermelon root beer plant was eaten by a groundhog. I’m not sure what happened, but evidently the groundhog thought my plant was an edible treat. Needless to say, I’m a little upset about this! I love my watermelon root beer plant and I always look forward to its blooms in the Spring. Now I’ll have to wait another six weeks until I can enjoy its sweet aroma again 🙁
Conclusion
It was another hot day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and Phil the groundhog had his nose stuck in the ground. As usual, he predicted an early spring, but this year his prediction didn’t seem quite right. Sure enough, it snowed again on February 2nd…and again on March 1st…and again on April 6th. In fact, it’s been snowing non-stop ever since! Thankfully for Phil and all of Punxsutawney, winter is finally over and we can all look forward to a blooming season full of beautiful flowers.
FAQ
- What is a groundhog?
A groundhog is a small, burrowing mammal found throughout much of North America. Common names for this species include woodchuck, ground hog, and whistle pig. They are typically shy and solitary animals that spend most of their time underground except during the breeding season. Groundhogs are omnivores that feed on insects, roots, and other small creatures.
