2013 John Brown House Planting

MG Donna Berard Lashing the Tops

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

We replaced the four year old bean tripods at the John Brown House and finished the last of the plantings there for the Demonstration Kitchen Garden.

Franklin County Master Gardeners work with Dr. Doris Goldman of the German Four-Square Garden at the Renfrew Institute in Waynesboro, to plant a demonstration kitchen garden using vegetable varieties that were grown in the 1860's, when the property was used as a boarding house, with John Brown its famous tenant. 

The raid at Harpers Ferry was planned from this location. 

Some of the plants we grow there include Cardoon (more here.), Salsify, Turnips, Beets, Carrots and Parsnips. 
 
Multiple Heirloom beans, including Lazy Housewife (so named because it was the first "stringless bean", marketed to housewives as easier to prepare), German Red Lima, Christmas Lima, Scarlet Runner (also used as jewelry beads), Radan Yellow Wax, Spelt, and Moesteller Goose Bean - named after the Moesteller Farm where the original bean was found in the foot of a Goose, and seeds were saved.

Clockwise from Top Left, Lazy Housewife, Christmas Lima, German Lima
Radan Yellow Wax, and Scarlet Runner Beans

We save seeds every year, as was the practice at the time.

The bean poles that were made the first year were starting to break down, so we replaced them.

MG Ray Eckhart Planting Beans

Watered in (using 21st century hose)

Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, and Cardoon

In another bed, Tomatoes, Cardoon, Peppers and Eggplants were planted.

A Concord Grape Arbor

Another bed (not pictured) was planted with various cabbages, kholrabi and cauliflower, again, using varieties that were grown in the 1860's.

The John Brown House is maintained as a museum and visitor stop by the Franklin County Historical Society - Kittochtinny.  Visiting hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM, please note that the last tour starts at 3 PM.  Admission fees are: Adults $4, Children (6-17) $3; Combination tickets for the Old Jail and John Brown House are $7 each; maximum charge for families in one household is $10 at either site.  Group tours are by appointment; please call (717) 264-1667. 

When you go, be sure to pay attention to the "Bean Pole" incident that occurred as participants in the raid fled back to Chambersburg.