Sheri Ann Richerson
Marion, Indiana

March 31, 2003 brought me to this property. When I purchased it there was mud, overgrown trees and thistle as well as a collection of broken glass and rusted, broken metal material such as fencing, nails, railroad stakes, etc. that had to be dealt with.

The plan was to have an herb, flower and vegetable garden that would be planted on time so that the production schedule would not be behind. Being a garden writer and needing to trial many new plant varieties this year added to the importance of accomplishing this task.

The vegetable garden had to be big enough to produce food for me to freeze for winter use as well as produce additional food that could be donated to local food pantries for the Plant a Row for the Hungry Program.

In addition, before the onset of winter, a heated greenhouse needed to be built to house my collection of rare tropical plants and bulbs. This was not an easy task.

Landscape timbers and lumber were brought in; truckload upon truckload of soil was unloaded; plants, seeds and bulbs arrived daily. As soon as seeds came in, I planted them. The majority of the plants I have were grown from seed, a task I enjoy immensely.

At first the progress was slow, however by mid-July it was clear that my goal had been accomplished. I was donating fresh produce from my vegetable and herb garden. When neighbors were feeling down I was taking fresh bouquets of flowers to them. The yard was loaded with butterflies, birds, praying mantis and many other beneficial insects.

I grow a lot of oddities. I favor night blooming plants, black plants, heirloom and odd colored vegetables. Next year I will be growing black corn, radish and tomatoes. I also have blue tomatoes and corn as well as others.

I frequently allow garden tours. One of my goals is to provide people the opportunity to see plants that they might not otherwise get a chance to see. While I am not an ‘official’ botanical garden I try to grow a wide variety of plants that one would expect to see in a botanical garden.

The one plant that I specialize in is Theobroma cacao (chocolate). I do grow the plant here and this summer was rewarded with blooms. I am hoping that the blooms were pollinated so that it can set fruit.

I am a Master Gardener. I am a member of both the Garden Writers Association of America and the American Horticultural Society. I am also a member of the Grant County Evening Gardening Club, Creative Hands, Morning Gardening Club, Tropical Flowering Tree Society, North American Rock Garden Society and the American Orchid Society.

More information: www.exoticgardening.com

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