Heritage Gardens

Pioneers grew most of their own food, and surprisingly, they had a greater choice of species in nursery catalogues than we have today.

It was the duty of the housewife to tend the vegetable garden, to grow fresh fruit and vegetables in summer and preserve enough for winter use. The garden was also an escape from the burdens of the kitchen; a place for a few moments of leisure and beauty.

A typical 19th century vegetable garden would include basic root plants such as beets, carrots, turnips, and radishes, and leafy vegetables such as lettuce, chard, cress, and legumes.

Although flowers were occasionally found in vegetable gardens, most often they were grown in separate beds. Some varieties like nasturtium have a dual role of being edible and decorative.

The first specie to be planted in our garden was pumpkin, a staple of any pioneer garden. Next is garlic, asparagus, rhubarb, potatoes and corn, all crops that were grown and enjoyed in the summer and autumn months by our ancestors.

The Heritage Vegetable Garden, like the others, is a work in progress so visit often to see the changes.