All Things Amish–Gardening, part 2

Are we in the gardening mood yet? I realize many of you still have snow on the ground. My hope is this series will warm you up a little!

I was surprised how large Amish gardens are, but then again they are using them to feed their families. But other things surprised me as well–look at this picture. See anything unusual? There’s an old gas tank in the middle of it! Funny, right? Often there would be unusual things in the middle of gardens. Families would work these items into the landscape of their garden. Why?

Maybe because the item was too big or too heavy to move. Or possibly because they felt the item would benefit the garden. I remember one old-timer telling me that anything with iron in it, would add nutrients to the soil and help your flowers. What do you think? Fact or fable?

I hope you’ve begun envisioning YOUR spring garden–even if it’s only a patio garden like mine. In my Shipshewana Amish Mystery series, Callie begins with a few pots of herbs. Sometimes we begin small. Amish stories remind me of that too.

~V

p.s. – Zondervan will have a major contest announcement on my Facebook page on March 2nd. Stay tuned …