In addition to being a historically accurate form, the German foursquare garden maintained by Washington County Master Gardeners is both a teaching tool and a tasting opportunity for young and old alike.
Productivity, SQUARED
THE RURAL HERITAGE MUSEUM’ S GERMAN FOUR-SQUARE GARDEN SHOWCASES CENTURIES-OLD TECHNIQUES STILL BELOVED BY MODERN GARDENERS.
by Bryan Ropelewski + photos by Chris Jackson
German four-square gardens are a unique and historically vital gardening method brought to our area by European settlers hundreds of years ago. This proven style of gardening not only produces a bountiful harvest of herbs and vegetables, it also has regained its popularity due to ingenious use of space and natural resources. The Washington County Rural Heritage Museum, in association with Washington County Master Gardeners, began crafting such a garden in 2005 to sustain and promote this time-honored approach to gardening. The planning and style was important to the gardeners to accurately correspond with the historic buildings on the grounds.“ German four-square gardens,” explains Master Gardener Karen Greeley,“ are directly related to the era of the Poffenberger Cabin located next to the garden.”
The layout and appearance can all be found in the name. Picture a four square court from your elementary school days, minus fighting over who gets to serve and what the score is. The museum’ s garden consists of four individual raised gardens approximately 12 inches in
Hagerstown: The Best of Life in Washington County & Beyond March / April 2013 63