By Mari Radtke
Wendy Koch had little experience gardening except for the small garden of her mom & dad’s. Steve Koch is an agronomist for O’Brien County Ag Supply. The couple moved from a home deep in the center of Sutherland to a corner home with no next-door neighbors but a large – very large lot. That was 2019. They planted a small plot at the far north end of their block-long yard in 2020 with neighbors (meaning the house could be seen from their own) Andy and Becky Jacobs. The small area, the same today as it was then, produced a few pumpkins, tomatoes and a few of their own stuff. The harvest was given away or donations were made. The donations that year were awarded to Noah’s Ark Daycare in Sutherland. Both Steve and Wendy emphasize the value of the daycare to the community.
In 2021 a second and larger area was prepared south of the first. More pumpkins, more of everything was planted and both plots were used. The process was repeated in 2022.. A third plot, more pumpkins, more pumpkin varieties and more veggies were added. This year, giant sunflowers bordered the third garden. Beans on another side. Throughout all the garden plots tomato plants, peas, cucumbers, peppers, acorn, butternut and butter cup squash were plantede this year, along with other gourds and of course pumpkins. There were red and white potato hills. The onions weren’t a great success this year. Cantaloupe was tried in prior years. So was Indian corn and Broom corn. Next year, Wendy is planning to try Apple gourds. Plant rotation is deliberate.The hillside gardens along Vine Avenue (M12) running north/south through Sutherland on its east edge were becoming quite spectacular.
The planting of 2023 included newly acquired land. Just south and across the street from the Koch home a 12 1 /2 acre piece was purchased. A creek runs through it. Much of the new ground is planted to corn this year, but a small triangle at the corner is all pumpkins.
The ground was prepared by killing alfalfa, fertilizing the soil and tilling it. A sump pump sits in the creek and pumps water to the three gardens when there is water. They had help from family and friends with the almost commercial level endeavor. All the preparation and planting took about 2 weeks. Steve said it took 3 times to till the soil to break it up. Wendy explained, “I planted 77 hills (of pumpkins). Seventy six came up.” She plants 6 seeds per hill, thinning to 3 or 4 hills, noting that 3 is best. She also admits that thinning the plants is hard for her to do. “They look so good and strong growing it’s hard to decide which plants to thin.” But she knows in the long run, thinning is best.
The passion for pumpkins isn’t so much the pumpkins as fall. Fall is Wendy’s favorite time of year. She loves to decorate seasonally. The autumn harvest of pumpkins and gourds are her favorite.
The gardens, according to Steve, are not high maintenance. He says, “Once they are established, you just need to keep the weeds down.” For Wendy, the new hobby is something to do. It gets her outside and moving. The activity is particularly good during the spring when Steve is so busy.
Packaged seeds have been used in the Koch garden. But more and more they make good of what they have. Seeds from some of the produce are harvested by the Kochs. The clean the harvested seeds, dry them in the garage in a low furnace and save them in an envelope, not a baggie, for planting. The envelopes name the vegetable and give a description. Pure varieties at this time are not part of the planning. In fact, some of the interest for Wendy is the unique pumpkin and gourd fruits that are produced. “When I see unusual pumpkins or gourds, I buy them,” said Wendy. Steve, not so much. While it’s not an overriding concern, he does make note that the proximity in the gardens of the different varieties could produce some interesting results from the seeds. The pumpkins already harvested range from traditional orange, tall and oval to bluish-grey or white, short and round pumpkins. Some are smooth. Some are bumpy. Some are multi-colored. Wendy’s enthusiasm shows.
The produce is available to the public. Other gardeners leave their goods at the tables, too. Steve points out that sweet corn has been donated to the tables. Pears have been donated and other perishables. Tables of the fresh, ripe goodies are on outside tables and well-signed. Help yourself. Please leave a donation. This year’s donations will go to the Sutherland Library to help with the 2024 centennial celebration. “It’s about community betterment,” Steve emphasized. “As long as Wendy enjoys it”