Getting Ready To Garden!

Greetings from our Amish community! We are thankful for the Lord's blessings as we welcome the arrival of Spring. With each passing day, the hours of daylight extend, and the earth stirs from its winter slumber. Excitement is filling the air as the Amish families eagerly prepare to tend to their gardens. The Amish community shares a deep connection with their ancestors and the land, strengthening their bond as they sow seeds and cultivate their gardens.

Families gathered this week to prepare the soil for early seed planting. They used their spades to turn the earth with great care and respect. Most families are also diligently raking their entire garden areas in anticipation of the upcoming planting season. The families practice crop rotation to maintain the soil's nutrients and minimize pest and disease problems.

This week, the families planted lettuce, radishes, and spinach in their gardens. They will cover them with cold frames to keep them warm as the nights are still cold. The cold frames use the sun's light to make a cozy place for the plants to grow. They may also use black plastic or straw to protect the plants from weeds and/or frost. They water the plants regularly and continually check them for any signs of trouble.

Some Amish families have greenhouses on their farms where they start some seeds early. The tomato plants are especially happy in the warm and safe place. They also grow herbs, flowers, and berries in the greenhouses. The Amish enjoy the fragrance and beauty of the plants and the benefits for their health and well-being.

Drawing on the wisdom of their elders, Amish families have come to appreciate the value of patience. To ensure the optimal growth of their tomato and pepper plants, they refrain from starting them in the greenhouse until six weeks prior to the anticipated last frost. This approach prevents the plants from becoming too large in the greenhouse before the ideal time for transplantation when the soil is sufficiently warm, and the weather is consistently stable. Additionally, they use staking and pruning techniques to support the plants' growth and minimize the risk of diseases.

The Amish do not garden just to save money. They garden to honor God, care for their health, connect with the earth, and be self-reliant. They also garden to share their produce with their neighbors and friends. They believe that gardening is a way of expressing their love. They also exchange seeds and plants with other gardeners to diversify their crops and learn new skills.

The Amish families look forward to their summer harvests with great anticipation. Each family is filled with happiness and thankfulness as they prepare for nature's plentiful gifts.

Besides making beautiful baskets for our AmishBaskets.com website, our hardworking Amish families have been busy with many other things this week.

The Mast Family

This week, the Mast family experienced a mix of excitement and anxiety as their daughters set off on a journey to Southern Texas to visit their uncle. Their adventure began early Friday, with a hired driver taking them to the train station. They had packed their bags with clothes, snacks, and a few simple gifts for their relatives. The absence of a direct train meant an additional bus ride to connect to a second train that would carry them near their Texas destination. Upon arrival, a driver met them to complete the final leg of their trip, taking them to their uncle's farm. Throughout the day, Rosa's thoughts were with her daughters, hoping for their safe travels and praying for their protection.

The Yoder Family

This week, the Yoder family showed creativity and resourcefulness as they prepared their garden for spring planting. Without owning the typical glass cold frame, David took an old plastic 50-gallon drum container they no longer used and cut it in two to place in their garden where they will plant their lettuce and radishes. He figured this would warm the soil in that area so their seeds would be more productive. David is also getting ready to take a couple of calves to auction next week. He has been raising them with care and feeding them well. Some feeder calves have increased to $4 per pound over the past few weeks. He says he will be well satisfied with $3 per pound for his calves.

The Gingerich Family

The Gingerich family faced a sad and joyful occasion this week as they bid farewell to their eldest son, who returned home to Minnesota after attending a family funeral. He had also spent some quality time with his parents, siblings, and cousins, reminiscing about the good old days and catching up on the latest news. Before his departure, he lent a hand in mending fences around the farm, a gesture greatly valued by his father, who appreciated his son's help and skill. On Saturday, the family, along with other district members, engaged in the essential task of cutting firewood for the school. They worked hard and efficiently, using their axes and saws to chop and stack the wood. Their efforts should ensure a sufficient wood supply to last all the way through next winter. They also enjoyed the fellowship and the refreshments that followed the work.

"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen."

— Amish Wisdom