The benefits of gardening can range from producing your own healthy food to spending time in the fresh outdoor air to enjoying an enriching family activity that captivates and educates children. Lehman’s supports and encourages all of those objectives, said Glenda Lehman Ervin, director of marketing for the family-owned mercantile in Kidron, OH.
“We want to help people live a simpler life, which means living a life that’s understandable, sustainable and comforting,” she said. “All of our products are predicated on that belief.” Gardening is a mainstay of a simple life. Whether you live on a farm or a small city lot, you can feel the satisfaction of growing fresh food, Ervin said.
“You can live in a condo in New York City and have a tomato plant or grow lettuce or strawberries on your balcony,” she said. “Many people grow food in raised or elevated beds or plant container gardens. My family loves to grow separate containers of tomatoes, cilantro, chives and peppers. Then we make our own fresh salsa to enjoy all summer.” Elevated beds — typically waist-high — are ideal for seniors who have trouble working on the ground.
“We carry full kits that make it simple to build an elevated garden,” she said. “It’s a wonderful activity to share with children. You can even put a child in charge of choosing what to buy and weeding the garden. It’s a fun way to get them off their phones and involved in an outdoor activity.” With its large variety of garden supplies — including Amish-made hand tools — and helpful advice from its knowledgeable staff, Lehman’s makes it easy to get started in the joys of gardening, Ervin said.
“The biggest things for beginning gardeners to keep in mind are their soil and the sun,” she said. “Be sure your soil isn’t too rocky, and it’s a good idea to have it tested for pH and mineral content. We have soil amendments to make your soil suitable for the plants you choose to grow. Be sure to choose a location where trees don’t block out the sunlight. You should have at least six to eight hours of good sun per day for a thriving garden.”
Next, decide how large you want your garden to be. Finally, choose your plants. “Think about what your family loves to eat,” Ervin said. “Some people plant a variety of vegetables. Others concentrate on just one — especially if their space is limited. Kale, for example, is wonderful because it’s very healthy, it can be dried and eaten as a snack, it can be used in soups, and it can be put in a salad.”
Ervin recalled the joy her young daughter experienced after seeing carrots grow from seeds she had planted in the family garden.
“She told me, ‘Mommy, it’s magic. There was dirt and we made food!’” Ervin said. “And I said, ‘You know what? You’re right.’”
You can get started on the magic of gardening with a visit to Lehman’s, 4779 Kidron Road, Kidron. You can learn more about the store — and read Lehman’s educational blog — at Lehmans.com or call 800-438-5346.
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