The Tradition of Plant Exchanges…

With the Summer sun casting its warm glow across our Midwest skies, we reflect on the Spring that has just passed. We reach out to you this week with a heart full of joy, hoping this message finds you in good health and high spirits.

This past Spring, our Amish community embraced an age-old tradition that is as much about nurturing the earth as it is about strengthening the bonds among the Amish community: the plant exchange. This delightful gathering, held earlier this Spring, was a testament to the shared values of Amish life—simplicity, generosity, and the love of God's creation.

Preparing for the exchange was a communal labor of love. Each family dug up plants and bulbs, carefully preparing them for transportation. The variety was as rich as the soil they came from—raspberries, rhubarb, tea plants, irises, daylilies, burning bushes, houseplants, and even a young cherry tree. As the tradition goes, each participant could take home as many plants as they brought, ensuring a fair and joyful exchange for all.

The process was simple: names were drawn to determine the selection order, and each person chose what they would like to take home. It was a beautiful sight to watch the community come together, each contributing to their shared gardens' diversity.

The children, the future stewards of the land, participated eagerly, assisting their elders and learning the value of cultivation and community. The advice for newcomers was straightforward: have your plants ready ahead of time and come with an open heart to the possibilities that await.

While the exchange was a new tradition in our local Amish community, it has been an annual part of many neighboring communities as it resonates deeply with the values of the Amish. It was a celebration of abundance and sharing, where those with plenty could offer to others, ensuring that all could benefit. No plant was too common or rare; the act of giving and receiving held the true value.

As we look back on this event, we are reminded of the Amish gardening wisdom passed down through generations. Amish gardens are more than just plots of land; they reflect their faith and culture. They are cultivated with a deep connection to the Earth, under the spiritual teaching that they are stewards and protectors of God's creation.

The families dedicated to weaving the beautiful baskets featured on www.AmishBaskets.com have been busy this week.

The Mast Family

The Mast family's litter of kittens, a delightful ensemble the family has come to adore, continues to weave tales of curiosity and play. "Smores," the kitten with the wild spirit, is gradually embracing trust again after a slight misadventure. Last month, Rosa accidentally shut the screen door on the kitten's tail at feeding time. The children's persistent affection is helping Smores gradually learn to trust once more.

The Yoder Family

The Yoder family is excited about this Sunday's church service, not at their homestead but in the welcoming hayloft of another family's residence within their district. This serene location, with its picturesque pond complete with a footbridge, lush gardens, and large mowed pasture, promises a day of peaceful worship and cherished community fellowship in a location that feels like a resort.

The Gingerich Family

Change is afoot at the Gingerich homestead, with a new pony purchased from a family in a neighboring district. As with any new beginning, there are hurdles to overcome and fences to mend, both literal and figurative. The pony's initial dash for familiar pastures reminds us that the heart often yearns for what it knows best. With the previous owners walking the pony back, with time, the Gingerich family will no doubt make their newest member feel welcome in its new surroundings.

"The greatest of all faults is to imagine that we have none."

— Amish Wisdom