When the Friends of the Dunbar Free Library sent out a notice listing all the wonderful museums they offer passes to, I took advantage of the one for Billings Farm. I had taken my children and my grandchildren there many times when they were young. This was my first time going without kids in tow.
Although I enjoyed seeing the cows, chickens, and quilts; I was most impressed by the flowers and the plants. Their large garden plot is made up of multiple gardens including herb, pollinator, heirloom, pizza, and permaculture gardens. The permaculture garden had a Hugelkultur mound made up of layers of hardwoods, leaves, turf, compost, and soil and is where they grow perennial fruits and vegetables. The mound provides nutrition and lengthens the growing season.
The sun flower maze is quite an attraction. As expected, most everyone in the maze was looking up at the towering sunflowers. The surprising plants were the very odd looking ones thriving in their shadow. The plants such as red amaranth, cockscomb, and purple millet looked like Dr. Seuss inventions. I learned that most of these plants have been used as food and medicine since antiquity. More recently, the Abenaki people grew many of them there.
There’s also another great garden just a short walk away at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. So many gardens, so little time….
Although I enjoyed seeing the cows, chickens, and quilts; I was most impressed by the flowers and the plants. Their large garden plot is made up of multiple gardens including herb, pollinator, heirloom, pizza, and permaculture gardens. The permaculture garden had a Hugelkultur mound made up of layers of hardwoods, leaves, turf, compost, and soil and is where they grow perennial fruits and vegetables. The mound provides nutrition and lengthens the growing season.
The sun flower maze is quite an attraction. As expected, most everyone in the maze was looking up at the towering sunflowers. The surprising plants were the very odd looking ones thriving in their shadow. The plants such as red amaranth, cockscomb, and purple millet looked like Dr. Seuss inventions. I learned that most of these plants have been used as food and medicine since antiquity. More recently, the Abenaki people grew many of them there.
There’s also another great garden just a short walk away at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. So many gardens, so little time….
Joe pye weed in the pollinator garden is as tall as the sunflower plants.
Red amaranth -- it's like quinoa
Foxtail millet has been grown since antiquity and a great source of protein, good fat, carbs, and dietary fiber.
Sourgum can be used to make porridge, flatbreads, and cakes. It can even be used for biofuel.
Cockscomb are mostly grown as colorful, ornamental additions to gardens.
"Purple Majesty" pearl millet - a gluten free grain
Garden at Marsh-Billing-Rockefeller National Historical Park - across the street from Billings Farm
I couldn't resist adding a picture of this little gal -- Fanny is a Jersey calf and only three days old.