Local Stories From Local People

Summertime in Amish Country is always one of the best times to visit. If you can catch one of these 5 must-see summer events, even more of a bonus. “Dog Days” & “Mother/Daughter Days” Weekend Markets: June 14-15 & August 16-17 For the first time ever the Shipshewana Flea Market is hosting two weekend markets! …

Rich in iron, calcium, vitamin C and B vitamins, asparagus is one of the first crops to be harvested in the spring and if given the proper planting and care, an asparagus bed can be productive for 15 years or more. The asparagus bed should be located in a sunny area. It can tolerate a …

People have nothing on bugs when it comes to using bags and tents for protection while sleeping.  Some caterpillars have similar methods to protect them from the elements and from the voracious appetites of birds. The Eastern Tent Caterpillar appear early in the season, usually in late April.  The egg masses are easy to spot …

Fertilizer supplies your plants with mineral nutrients which are “fed” to the plant through the soil.  Plants growing in soils that do not contain all the necessary minerals show nutritional deficiency symptoms such as yellow leaves, floppy stems and brown leaf margins.  One very important thing that I always stress when it comes to adding …

What’s better than waking up to peaceful serenity and the smell of a freshly made breakfast? LaGrange County is lucky enough to have several Bed & Breakfasts for a perfect home-away-from-home getaway in Amish Country. Bright Morning Star B&B Just a few minutes from Shipshewana, Bright Morning Star Bed & Breakfast is nestled in the …

During the spring or summer you may have noticed rings of lush growing grass in the lawn. This ring is a turf disease called fairy ring. There are three kinds of fairy rings. One kind appears as lush growing grass, another as just a ring of mushrooms and the third one combines the lush grass …

Plants, like people, influence each other and some get along better together than others. The same kind of thing happens with plants in the garden with companion planting. Companion planting is when two or more crops are planted near each other with the theory that they help each other in nutrient uptake, better pest management, …

Spring is here and if you haven’t already begun, it’s time to get busy! The weak, diseased or damaged canes from raspberry plants should be removed before new growth starts. If you did not remove them last year, remove the old fruiting canes and shorten the remaining canes of they need it. Grapes need to …

By Anna Camburn Make the most of your visit to the Shipshewana Flea Market by reading these tips about hours, vendors, lodging and amish food! 1. Flea Market Hours The Shipshewana Flea Market is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from May to September. The mid-week hours add to the uniqueness of the seasonal flea market. Can’t make it …