We have several Amish communities in our area and even with our cultural differences our paths cross. I have used the Amish for pressing my cider for years. And with our property containing a large selection of hickory the Amish make arrangements to harvest the smaller trees to use in their bentwood rockers.

photo credit: ajagendorf25

Today our side yard has one Amish buggy in the lower drive and one draft house tied to a tree near the barn. A group of Amish are starting to harvest the small branches needed for their furniture.

They only select branches under four inches and cut the trees in such a way that they will grow back, usually with more small branches that can be harvested in four or five years.

The Amish have cut Hickory off of our property on and off for about 15 years. Part of the deal often includes an Amish rocking chair or Amish love seat.

Eli, one of the Amish, told me they would be here cutting for about two weeks. He asked for permission to park the buggy by the barn and tie the horse to a tree. At the end of the their job they will bring several draft horses to haul the hickory bundles off the hill and load them into a wagon.

photo credit: Jan Tik

One year they harvested Hickory in the late spring when there was a foot of snow on the ground. When they came to haul the wood away they used an old wooden sled that could be pulled by horses. The sled was over 10 foot long and six foot wide with sides to hold the hickory bundles in place.

I asked about the history of the sled and was told it was over 100 years old and has been passed down through the family for generations.

So far today the Amish have collected about five bundles of branches. They cut them in four to eight foot sections. They then sort them before they are bundled by length and for what purpose they will be used for later. At this moment they are sorted by length and propped against my front trees.

The harvesting of the hickory will make for an interesting few weeks. The Amish in my area do not allow photographs to be taken. They are from an older sect and their beliefs are more controlled. They believe that the photographic image steals their soul.

So any photos in the article are from Amish groups that allow photographs to be taken.

Technorati Tags: amish, amish bentwood rockers, amish buggies, amish tradition, country living

The Staghorn fern has always been a favorite plant of mine and once you get used to its care it’s easy to grow. My biggest mistake with my first one was over watering it. I called a friend of mine who owns a greenhouse and she helped me set up a good watering and care system for my zone 5 climate. I still have the plant to this day and have removed many new plants from the original.
photo credit: robstephaustralia

I have had many questions about the Staghorn fern. I have written two articles before,  Indoor Plants: The Staghorn Fern and its Care, and the other, How to Grow and Ariel Theme Garden. 

But recently I had a question on how to divide a Staghorn fern that was bought in a pot. Some people grow the Staghorn ferns this way and they are beautiful.  The question was how to divide a plant that was bought this way and place it on a board.

I also like the look of the Staghorn fern on a piece of wood and to me it adds to my home décor and can be hung anywhere where the growing conditions are correct. In warmer climates many people hang them on fences or trees and leave them out year round.

If you get a Staghorn in a pot and want to divide it and place it on a board you need to check the plant and make sure any division or “pup” as they are referred to has at least two fronds or stems. Division is best done in the spring or summer when the sterile “shield” fronds are brown.

First thoroughly water the Staghorn to be divided. Next, use a sharp knife and cut through the sterile fronds at an equal distance between the parent plant and the pup. I pack wet moss around the new section of the plant immediately and also pack the area with moss where I removed the small plant form the original. This encourages new root growth and keeps the area from drying out.

Make sure the pup is oriented (placed up) the same as it was on the parent plant when placing the plant on a board.

Squeeze most of the water out of the moss and pack it around the pup. Using the fishing line, cross back and forth tightly over the shield on the pup, close to the fronds, hooking the line around the nails. When it is securely fastened tie the end onto one of the nails. Using the technique described above apply a “patch” of moss into the area where you removed the pup from the parent plant.

Your new plant should thrive. And if by change you need to wait for a bit for you plants to develop more fronds before separating they will do well in a hanging pot. Care for them as you would a plant placed on a board

An Indian corn wreath will add color to your porch or home. And in the fall it adds to the feel of fall harvest and thanksgiving. An Indian corn wreath is very easy to make and with proper care will last for years to come.
photo credit: versageek

When my brother raised pumpkins he also raised Indian corn for fall decorations. We had a corn husking party; bent the husks back and tied in bunches to dry. The barn was full of Indian corn hanging from the barn rafters to dry. It took about four days.

I made a few Indian corn husk wreaths and was hooked on the easy and beautiful fall wreaths. Below are directions for making your own wreath

How to Make an Indian corn decorative wreath.

Start with a metal or grapevine wreath form. I usually use a grapevine wreath because it is a fuller base to work on. Lay the base wreath on a table along with the dried Indian corn, dried flowers and any ribbon or other decorations you have.

Look at the colors of the corn and flowers, and place them around the wreath to see how they would look. This may be randomly placed or even. Remember when placing the corn that you want the wreath to appear balanced and centered when placed on a wall.

Use the same method for the dried flowers, spacing them so that they create a balanced composition. I also like to add cornhusk that I have fluffed to add more fill to the wreath. Sometimes I will lightly dye the husks in light pastel colors.

photo credit: zimpenfish

Wrap the dried corn and flowers with florist wire. (Florist wire is a thin wire that is coated in a green plastic, commonly used to wrap floral arrangements.) Place the Indian corn and flowers where you want them on the wreath base ands bind them in place with the florist wire.

Hook the end of the florist wire into the back of the wreath and wrap it around the wreath. This method will securely attach the flowers and Indian corn to the wreath. Continue this process until all your items are securely in place on the wreath.

Step back and take a look at the wreath. Are there bare spots or corn or flowers that need a slight adjustment? Would a ribbon bow add to the wreath? When you feel the wreath is finished its time to spray the wreath.

To make the wreath last longer, spray it with an acrylic clear varnish. This step should be done in a well-ventilated area, like outdoors and away from plants and the house. Hold the spray can at least 12 inches from your body and from the wreath.

Spray the wreath quickly not lingering on one area too long. Allow the spray to dry completely in a warm area, at least 55 degrees. I ignore the wreath for about 24 hours.

Once dry, hang indoors or out. These wreaths make great gifts and will last for years.

Technorati Tags: cornhusks, died flowers, garden crafting, how to make an indian wreath, indian corn, indian corn wreath