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It appears that when Ezekiel wrote this, Tammuz was another name for Adonis. The cult of Adonis employed the planting of seeds that would germinate quickly and then die.
“Women sit by the gate weeping for Tammuz, or they offer incense to Baal on roof-tops and plant pleasant plants. These are the very features of theAdonis legend: which is celebrated on flat roof-tops on which sherds sown with quickly germinating green salading are placed, Adonis gardens… the climax is loud lamentation for the dead god.”—Burkert, p. 177.
I can picture this, women planting and wailing, sorrow over the early death of a young god, ultimately, over lost opportunity, maybe over unrequited love…
Interesting thing, these rooftop gardens. I’d like to have one.
Even a simple version.
Sounds like ‘mourning for Adonis’ is yet another ritual–a general metaphor for loss. In the same way that a seed must fall to the ground and die, for there to be new life.
Jennifer Thornburg--Where It All Began 
Jennifer, I am going to miss the eloquent prose of your blogs and how their transcendence. I am hoping you get this message before class as well. I am taking GRE this afternoon and won’t be able to attend the last day of class. As we know, Sexson always gives us the material to review before the test and was hoping that we can get together at some point, I’ll meet you wherever it’s convenient so I can copy the material. We’ll make sure this time it’s at a time where we won’t forget to have me return the material to you. I realize Theresa blogs everything but the message isn’t always clear and she sort of loses patience with the note taking. My number is 539-1956. Is it possible tomorrow or anytime between now and Monday that we can meet? I can meet at your house over the weekend and bring my scanner (it’s portable!) as well. Thanks so much in advance! Maybe we’ll have another class together next semester–it’s my last before I depart in the fall for Grad School (so convinced that I’ll pass GRE!). I’m taking Keeler’s Brit Lit class and Studies in Shakespeare (which I think you may have already taken).
Thanks again and looking forward to hearing from you.
Rosemary
Yes, Rosemary, we can meet. And thanks for your very kind words. I appreciate your literary sense and your wisdom. I hope we have another class together as well.
I’ll call you.
Jenny