It wouldn’t be drop if I didn’t go to Santa Fe, New Mexico. On one current trip, I reviewed Georgia O’Keeffe’s residence as well as garden in neighboring Abiquiu. Most people acknowledge O’Keeffe as an outstanding musician who painted the landscapes of the Southwest. She had a perfect view, neglecting the Chama River Valley with stunning mountains in the background.Less popular is
her interest for gardening. She had only to step out the front outdoor patio of her rustic Spanish Colonial house to be in her garden. A living-room window shelf includes rocks as well as bones she uncovered in her yard. The residential property is now maintained by volunteers from the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe. A number of were tending the garden during my visit.O’Keeffe grew a selection of fruits, particularly strawberries and also raspberries, in addition to an array of vegetables– broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, lettuces, string beans, tomatoes as well as zucchini. Each had distinct tastes as well as appearances, specifically leafy, tiny environment-friendlies and small-leaved natural herbs. Amongst the natural herbs she favored were lovage, mint, oregano, parsley, sorrel, summertime
full-flavored and also thyme. The herb garden is still undamaged. Watercress was expanded in a close-by spring creek. Amongst fruit trees lining the garden are peach, pears and also plums. Apple trees were a must; O’Keeffe matured on her family members’s Wisconsin apple farm.O’Keeffe utilized members of Abiquiu’s Lopez family members for her garden/household help. She as well as one Lopez kid clashed regarding planting corn. He made use of loads of seeds for planting. O’Keefe planted solitary seeds at accurate periods. Her veteran assistant, Margaret Woods, called O’Keeffe”exacting.”She liked deviled eggs with various herbs added to every one.
She ate millet grains for breakfast. She suched as cut natural herbs, mixed with olive oil, lemon juice and also garlic for salad dressing.O’Keeffe started gardening in 1952, working her yard up until her vision lowered, although she was still painting. Daily she and also Miss Timber walked the garden, with Margaret holding a large straw basket for O’Keeffe to fill up for that evening’s supper. O’Keeffe usually invited stars to her table for 4. The table was just a refined plank of wood.Like her art, O’Keeffe’s home/garden is a significant research study in simpleness. She passed away in 1986 at age 98, leaving a tradition of art and also gardening.Micki J. Shelton is a Muskogee local and also master garden enthusiast.