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Redcliffe Plantation will focus on heirloom gardens
7/17/2008 3:17 AM

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By HALEY HUGHES

Staff writer

A program this Saturday at Redcliffe Plantation will focus on heirloom gardens and the culture surrounding 19th century Southern food.

The special program, "Growing History," is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site in Beech Island.

The program will feature the plantation's heirloom vegetable and herb garden where heirloom vegetables like Moon & Stars watermelon (named for the yellow blotches on the rind and the shape of the vine's leaves), True Lemon cucumber and Bloody Butcher Corn are grown. Aiken Master Gardeners will be on hand to talk about their work in the garden and provide growing tips.

Packets of heirloom seeds will be given away during the program.

"For seven years, we have been growing an heirloom summer garden," said Park Interpreter Elizabeth Laney. "This program is really a forum for people to learn about heirloom plants. This is an opportunity to discover a new kind of gardening."

Many varieties of heirloom vegetables and fruits have unique names and a history all their own.

Visitors Saturday will also learn about how, throughout history, agriculture played an important role to plantations like Redcliffe.

The program will be followed by a tour of the neighboring crinum lily fields of horticulturist Jenks Farmer, former curator of the Riverbanks Botanical Garden in Columbia.

All of the produce grown in the Redcliffe gardens is donated to the Golden Harvest Food Bank, Laney said. Last year, the historic site donated about 1,000 pounds of fresh produce.

Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for children and $2.50 for seniors. Learn more about the program and heirloom gardening at Redcliffe's gardening blog at www.growinghistory.blogspot.com.

Redcliffe Plantation is located at 181 Redcliffe Road in Beech Island.

For more information, call (803) 827-1473.

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