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

It was a beautiful day in NW PA. The leaves are just past their peak, but still beautiful and almost haunting in their appearance.

photo credit: Spudjnr123

As I was doing outdoor chores and picking up the yard and gardens and preparing them for winter I was distracted by last years gourd collection. The gourds were dry early this summer and I cut and cleaned the interiors about a month ago. I have about 20 I have selected for bird feeders or for hanging plants.

I still need to sand and clean the exterior and seal the insides (if used for plants) to prevent the gourds from attracting moisture and slightly molding. You should not seal the interior of a bird feeder. The sealer will affect the seed and hurt the birds.

You also need to use a pot inside the gourd if you want your gourd planter to last several seasons. Gourds and water really do not mix well, unless the gourd has been sealed on the inside and out.

photo credit: timlewisnm

If I get my outdoor chores done this week I will start on my gourds next week. I have an art show coming up that I would like to display some of the finished gourds.

I have grown gourds in my gardens since my very first garden and each year they add interest and usually a few horror stories for my family member to tell the neighborhood. Many people consider gardening to be a bit boring, but they haven’t visited my gardens!

Here’s a link to my one gourd garden that that still pops up in local neighborhood conversations. Grow your gourds on swing sets.

And one more fun thing to try with gourds is shaping them while they grow. Creative gardening: Shaping your Gourds

I’ll share a few of my finished gourds in a few weeks.

Technorati Tags: country living, fall gardening chores, gourd crafting, Gourds, grow gourds on tee-pees, shaping gourds

They are calling for our first light snow fall tomorrow and Friday.

photo credit: *Micky

I don’t have all the outdoor garden chores done plus I am really not ready for winter weather so I hope they are wrong. Mid October seems too early for a snowfall although I know we usually have a few warning snowfalls before winter sets in.

The leaves are still hanging on the trees and hopefully we will enjoy their beauty for a few more days after our taste of winter weather.
photo credit: dougtone

I believe this might be what they call Squaw Winter, which is usually followed by Indian summer.

As our summer was cold and wet and made for problems with gardens and crops I hope we have a long Indian summer.

For those who make apple cider it is also said that you need a good frost to bring out the best flavor in cider. We have made cider on and off for many years and I do think the best cider is made later in the season.

And for those who follow signs in nature, most wooly bear caterpillars show a long harsh winter. And the Oak trees and Apples trees have few fruit, which usually signifies a mild winter.

So do you believe we will have a harsh or mild winter?

Update: We missed the snow during the day but by Friday morning the snow was clinging to the tree limbs and covered the ground. ANd as typical for the first snow, it is gone, but still cold.

Technorati Tags: country living, fall leaves, Indian summer, squaw winter