Memorial Day Reminds Us to Garden

Memorial Day calls to mind fallen heroes, Victory Gardens and memories never meant to be forgotten.  The National Holiday provided welcome pause in a very busy schedule and the glorious weather did more than attract parade and BBQ attendance.  I also found much needed time to visit the Grange Garden at Wheaton Farm.  Schedule conflicts have kept me away from the softening soil, tenacious vegetables and dynamic influence of Grangers Lee Williams and Ed Hands.  Alas, I missed the planting of herbs, cabbage and zucchini!  Nonetheless, much like the gestures of patriotic salute and raising of flag - I was able to recognize the symbolism of leaf on seedling and tags in rows.

The Community Gardens at Wheaton Farm continue to draw on the perseverance of patrons of kindness, land stewards and soldiers of fortune.  Reconnecting the history of past farming success with the generosity of local citizenry, Grange #196 offers lessons in agricultural effectiveness while providing nutritious homegrown food for the Easton Food Pantry.

Be sure to check out the progress at Wheaton Farm in the coming days, weeks and months.  These few snapshots do more than capture the progress of some farmers' labor.  They memorialize the effect of generations of knowledge, shovelfuls of enthusiasm and a community growing together.