TEND THE GARDEN

“I feel that God put me on earth to tend His gardens. To bring others hope and faith. Hope: that a seed will sprout. Faith: that it will grow and bear fruit and nourish those that tend it.” These words from Mel Bartholomew, inventor of the Square Foot Gardening Method, have inspired Connie and Patrick Lahr, of Maple Lake, in their own gardening.

The couple resides along the banks of the quiet swamp just off of Maple Lake, and upon first arrival, the single garden box positioned near their front door suggests a modest selection of produce. However, a glance to the side of their home reveals a large greenhouse, and a step through its back door ushers one into a gardener’s paradise.

The Garden

Connie and Patrick’s garden is a breathtaking sight to behold. A trellis stands strong at the top of the hill, grape vines wrapping around its structure. Both a cherry and apple tree grow alongside it, offering an overlook into the garden beds below.  Lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, bok choy, kale, rhubarb, and corn are a small handful of the produce they plant and tend to.

Though the organization and magnitude of this operation may, at first, seem overwhelming, Connie and her husband have been long practicing and perfecting their methods.

“In 1983, we did our first square foot garden in St. Joseph, Minnesota,” Lahr said. “It was interesting to try out, and we had a lot of fun with it for a few years there.”

After settling in Maple Lake, the garden quickly outgrew the original, single box into the bountiful production it is today. Following Bartholomew’s advice, the plants are organized in square foot sections, rather than a conventional row garden. This idea to grow more in less space has expanded their produce selection, while not becoming overwhelmed. Their use of plastic tarp-covered borders and netting also reduces the maintenance and pest problems a garden is subjected to.

The Gardening Community

With the interest in gardening ever growing, many people tend to be intimidated by the large garden beds and space needed in their yard. As the Lahr’s have adopted the square foot method and hosted a number of workshops, both for adults and elementary school children, they have also connected with a community of gardeners. Linda Smith, a fellow gardener and friend, adopted the square foot method in her own backyard.

“I used to live out in the country and had a big garden,” Smith said. “Then I started reading about square foot gardening about 25 years ago, or so, and thought it was a great idea, so my husband and I put together a few beds.”

When they moved into Maple Lake eight years ago, Smith was determined to continue her square foot gardening, so she moved her garden to town with her. To complete the set-up, she had a rain barrel installed by her house as a water source and began a compost behind her shed to add extra nutrients to the soil. With the bigger materials and supplies taken care of, each growing season still requires a fair amount of upkeep, both paid for in time and money.

“I don’t even want to tell you how much I spent this year,” Smith said with a laugh.

“But it’s your hobby, you know,” Lahr chimed in. “We all have a hobby that we spend some money on!”

Both the Lahr’s and Smith’s garden give back in return for the labor and love poured into them. The women continue to grow their friendship and gardening knowledge as they walk around the boxes, snap photos, and share their different strategies.

Keep Growing

The Lahr’s, though retired now, still enjoy sharing the square foot method with anyone interested in gardening. They send and receive seeds from fellow gardeners, update and share information through their Gardening World Wide website, and welcome visitors to their garden.

“It is exciting that people all over the country are getting a renewed interest in gardening and growing their own food,” Connie Lahr said. “We are here to help!”

With the World Square Foot Gardening Day approaching on June 28, the Lahr’s are preparing to celebrate June 26-27 with an invitation for fellow gardeners, or those interested in starting a garden, to visit their garden. For more information, visit their website at www.gardeningworldwide.org.