St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
4
Friday, Sept. 6, 2013
contributed photos
The Wickses purchased and restored a fishing cabin into their garden shed called the “Sugar Shack.” Tom Wicks (center) is shown with friends Joe Warner (left) and Sam Warner (right) installing the weathervane on the cupola on top the shack.
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Tom and Vickie Wicks’ garden was featured on the front cover of “Country Gardens” magazine for the “Best Edible Garden” in the “Country Gardens” annual garden awards. Their garden produces more food than they can eat, so they donate any extra.
Christie Russell-Villnow, O.D.
The story written for the magazine tells about the abundance of produce the Wickses have grown in their garden. The Wickses both enjoy gardening and have had numerous gardens throughout the years. In April and May, the Wickses often plant seeds and later transfer them to the greenhouse as the weather warms up. In early June, they usually plant vegetable, pumpkin and flower seeds directly in the ground.
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“We never seem to get our potatoes planted early enough, but when those new potatoes come, they are worth the wait,” Tom said. “We have battled with potato bugs picking the pillow bugs one at a time. It’s well worth the time to watch for the beetles and catch them before they lay eggs.” This is the first experience the Wickses have had at winning any gardening awards. They subscribe to the ‘Country Gardens’ magazine and enjoy reading about other gardens. The Wickses grow mammoth sunflowers; sweet corn; red, white and Yukon gold potatoes; five varieties of summer squash; four varieties of winter squash; radishes; peas; beans; beets; carrots; broccoli; brussel sprouts; peppers; dozens of tomato plants; bok choi; cab-
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bage; five varieties of pumpkins; many herbs; onions of all colors; lettuce; cucumbers; kale; Swiss chard; kidney beans; sweet potatoes; zinnias; marigolds; petunias; gladioli; geraniums; canna lilies; hollyhocks; calendula; dahlias; mandovila; and morning glories in their garden. They have fun trying as many varieties of vegetables as they can learn about, and they would like to expand the garden and add a plot for raspberries, strawberries and asparagus. Their garden produces much more than they can eat, so they share it with friends, neighbors, family and the Catholic Charities Food Shelf. They have been sharing their vegetables for six years since they started to oversize their garden. The Wickses share several hundreds of pounds of produce each year. In addition to sharing their vegetables, Vickie also likes to share her favorite recipes to use the produce. “Many first time zucchini users are surprised at all the great dishes and desserts that can be made,” Tom said. “Some people actually believe zucchini brownies are good for you. Well, I guess it’s true; they make you smile.” Vickie enjoys cooking vegetables that are freshly harvested from the garden. “It’s handy just stepping out the front door and being in the produce section,” Vickie said. She freezes many of the garden vegetables to use throughout the year. Their potatoes and onions last through the winter. Three years ago, the Wickses found an old 10-by-12-foot
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