Colonial Kitchen Gardens

 Saturday, June 9^, at 2:00 pm,
 Van Veghten House,

 Somerset County Historical Society Prosents:
Ruth Claus - Master Gardener
Saturday, June 9th at 2 p.m. For early settlers in the American colonies, Herb gardens were a considered a necessity. The “kitchin” gardens were typically laid out in small rectangular plots that were narrow enough to be tended from either side. The beds were filled with plants selected for their usefulness rather than beauty. The plants, which were brought from the Old World as seeds or sprouts, were used for medicine, food, and seasoning.

Join us at the Van Veghten House on Saturday, June 9^th at 2:00 pm, for an imaginary stroll through the colonial garden and learn more about 18th Century Colonial gardening techniques from Master Gardener Ruth Claus.

Ruth grew up on a small farm in Indiana where she learned about gardening. Rhubarb, asparagus, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers were her father's specialties. Ever since, she has been a active gardener. After retiring from a background in accounting and teaching, Ruth volunteered for the Master Gardener Program at Rutgers University and was certified in 2001.

During a recent lecture at the Hunterdon County Library she was asked if there was a standard for fencing Colonial Gardens. Ruth replied. "fences should be 'hog tight, horse tall, and bull strong'!".

The Somerset County Historical Society is located at 9 Van Veghten Drive, Bridgewater, NJ, 08807. Directions: From East Main Street in Bridgewater, turn south on Finderne Avenue. Turn right on Van Veghten Drive. The Van Veghten House is located at the end of the road (1 mile).

Admission for non-members: $5
Admission for SCHS members: free