Gardening by Abagail Eldan

As we all know by now, we, in the United States, have been told to stay home. For some reason, this sent a panic-buying spree throughout many communities, not just for toilet paper (although we did discover most people consider that item especially essential during a pandemic), but also for groceries. 

I posted on Facebook that most farmers already practice social distancing, work in the fresh air, and do not plan to quit farming. Somehow, that did not resonate with the hoarders. They continued their hoarding. 

I further went on to say that if for reasons I cannot fathom, farmers quit producing our food, we can grow our own. Even city dwellers, if they have a small balcony, can grow at least some of their own food in pots.

Tomatoes we grew in pots. 

And after I canned the tomatoes I grew.

We've been growing some of our food each year, things such as tomatoes, peppers, collards, and turnips, all grown in raised beds near our house. 

Both my parents came from a long line of farmers. Working outside, watching vegetables grow, watching the miracle of food being produced by our own efforts with sun and rain from God brings a unique sense of satisfaction. Today, we think we need special tools, special fertilizers, and the right kind of soil. 

Not so with our ancestors. 

Almost all houses, even those in cities, had kitchen gardens. I remember my grandmother had one in the field across the red clay road from her house. Here, in the Deep South, she grew squash, cucumbers, watermelons, okra, black-eyed peas, and butterbeans plus turnips and collards in the early part of the year. Corn grew in the larger fields, and when it made, a portion of it was dried and taken to the mill where it was ground into meal or used as chicken feed.

The kitchen garden we had when I was a teenager was located in our backyard and was easy to maintain. The rows were short and easy to hoe. Besides the vegetable garden, fruit trees were also planted near the house—apple trees, peach trees, pear trees, and figs are those I remember. Most houses also had a few pecan trees. 

Figs are my favorite and easy to make into preserves.

A Three Sisters garden was popular in pioneer days. Next to the corn, pole beans were planted, and these used the corn stalks as a natural trellis. Squash was planted between the corn and beans. The large leaves of the squash plants kept weeds at bay and helped keep the soil cool in the hot summer months. 

https://www.almanac.com/content/three-sisters-corn-bean-and-squash

I’ve been wanting to try this for a while, and this year might be a perfect time. 

Farming, after all, is in my blood. 

Stay safe, stay home, and stay busy with gardening!

My latest Lockets & Lace release on Amazon.

Planting a Victorian Garden

by Shanna Hatfield

My current work in progress includes a heroine with a wonderfully green thumb (so not like me at all!).

She creates a backyard haven for the birds she loves to study and sketch.

While I was writing about the splendid oasis she created (and wishing she would come work her magic in my neglected flower beds), I researched the types of flowers and plants that might have been found in her yard.

For any one you interested in creating your own Victorian flower garden, here are a few suggestions:

Plants: Victorians loved their flowers! You might have found the following in one of their summer gardens...
Acacia
Ageratum
Alonsoa
Amanthus
Aster
Scarlet Basil
Begonia
Bluebell
Calendula
Campanula
Chrysanthemum
Cobeaea
Cockscomb
Dianthus
Dusty Miller
Fern
Fuschia
Geranium
Heliotrope
Impatiens
Lobelia
Marigold
Moonflower
Morning Glory
Nasturtium
Pansy
Periwinkle
Petunia
Portulaca
Primrose
Roses
Snapdragon
Sweet Alyssum
Verbena
Zinnia

Statuary: Sculptures, decorative urns, water fountains, sundials, birdbaths and small ponds were all commonly used in Victorian gardens. Cast iron was the material of choice. Oh, and the urns were often left empty, used as a decoration on steps.

Seating: Garden benches and seats, gazebos and decorative pavilions were popular and made as decorative as possible. Cast iron was again the favored material of choice. Seats were also placed under trees along garden walks, below arbors, and in nooks. Rattan and wicker furniture were often use on porches and in sun rooms.

Fencing: By the turn of the century, many properties were fenced. Guess what the most popular material was? That's right... cast iron wins again! The more elaborate the home, the more elaborate the fence and gate. Informal settings often used wood bent into decorative motifs. Picket fences were hidden with shrubs or vines. 

~*~

USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield writes character-driven romances with relatable heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”

Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, this hopeless romantic is out to make it happen, one story at a time. When she isn’t writing or indulging in chocolate (dark and decadent, please), Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.

Find Shanna’s books at:

Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Apple | Audible

Shanna loves to hear from readers. Follow her online at:

ShannaHatfield | Facebook | BookBub | Newsletter | Pinterest