Elaine and I have always been fascinated with
the "Shaking Quakers" or the Shaker lifestyle. Not that we have accepted all of their beliefs and teachings
but with their work eithic, the quality of their workmanship and business success that was based on quality and honesty.
In 1836, the Shakers had 22 communities and of these, Elaine and I have visited four of them on many occasions. All
of the communities had extensive fruit orchards, vegetable and herb gardens. The gardens were essential food factories
for the Shakers and were laid out for maximum productivity and efficiency to ensure that everyone would be well fed.
The Hancock Shaker Village located in Hancock Massachusetts is one of our favorite communities.
In addition to the beautiful buildings such as the Round Barn constructed of stone, the community has a vast herb garden.
In the summer, the herb garden is full of honeybees, butterflies and fragrance! Not that we can all have a herb garden
on the scale of the shakers (in the 1850's, the New Lebanon, New York community was producing up to 100,000 pounds of dried
herbs annually) but it sure is nice to have a small plot of fresh basil, oregano, thyme, chives and more to enhance our culinary
experience.
Once again, we will have our Herb Hut full of culinary
herbs and others that can add beauty, fragrance and attract butterflies and honeybees to your garden.
We believe you will be pleased with the selection of our herb plants offered at very reasonable prices.
