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Garden Tours:  LarryR, Larry Rettig

By Sharon
December 3, 2011

It's to Iowa we travel this week, to visit the gardens of Larry Rettig and his wife, Wilma. I've been fortunate, I met Larry's Amana Colonies garden face to face earlier this year. I wandered those garden paths for days and every day I found something new. Let's take a look at these unbelievably beautiful Iowa gardens.

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Dec 5, 2011 3:35 PM CST
Name: Carole
Clarksville, TN (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages Plant Identifier I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Garden Ideas: Master Level Cat Lover Birds Region: Tennessee Echinacea
Larry, what is the population there?

If you find a second copy of the book at an estate sale sometime, I would like to buy one. I won't take Mary's though, if she wants it. Smiling
I garden for the pollinators.
Last edited by SongofJoy Dec 5, 2011 3:54 PM Icon for preview
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Dec 5, 2011 3:47 PM CST
Name: Mary
The dry side of Oregon
Be yourself, you can be no one else
Charter ATP Member Farmer Region: Oregon Enjoys or suffers cold winters
I think I'll check with a rare books company. Thank you for the information.

And now I have another question. What is Tagloehner?
Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.
More ramblings at http://thegatheringplacehome.m...
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Dec 5, 2011 4:28 PM CST
Name: Christine
North East Texas (Zone 7b)
Shine Your Light!
Heirlooms Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener Hummingbirder Bee Lover Herbs
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Thank you for the info, Larry. I would never have known.
May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day --Native American Proverb

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Dec 5, 2011 6:01 PM CST
Name: Sharon
Calvert City, KY (Zone 7a)
Charter ATP Member Houseplants Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle
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Mary, I think the word means the hired workers who came into the Amanas but were not part of them, just worked there.

Tee it's a group of more than one community. Not sure of the overall population.
We walked around within each community, but we drove to get from one community to the other.
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Dec 6, 2011 12:25 AM CST
Name: Larry Rettig
South Amana, IA (Zone 5a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Foliage Fan Cottage Gardener Tip Photographer Composter
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Tee and Mary, I've got you both down for a copy of the book. I'll be sure to let you know if I run across any.

Tee, the population has been very stable over the years, about 1800, give or take a few. Population totals vary from one village to the next, with the largest at about 600 and the smallest less than 100. South Amana currently stands at about 200. The population's composition has changed radically, however. I'm guessing that less than 40% are native born Amana folks anymore, my wife and I being two of them.

Sharon, I continue to be amazed that you've retained everything from your visit in such detail. You're right about the meaning of Tagelöhner. More literally translated, it means "those who are paid by the day." And that would be precisely the folks you mentioned.

Thank you for your comments, Christine. Glad to hear that you've learned something new. We erstwhile teachers always appreciate comments like that! Big Grin
Gardener was the label imprinted on me when the souls were handed out and so be it. --Margaret Roach (Thank you, Sharon!) Notes from the Garden: Articles of interest on all aspects of gardening
Cottage-in-the-Meadow Gardens: Come on in and take the tour! Check out the photos!
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Dec 6, 2011 12:32 AM CST
Name: Sharon
Calvert City, KY (Zone 7a)
Charter ATP Member Houseplants Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle
Native Plants and Wildflowers Dog Lover Ferns Daylilies Irises Cat Lover
I loved the Amanas, Larry. It was easy to listen and learn.
You talked about them when you talked about some of the houses that were there or had been there. I didn't know the spelling, but it seemed to sound like the word was spelled, Tagelohner.
Visit my cubit Blue Gardens
Check out my Blog
Read my Articles and Ideas
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Dec 6, 2011 12:40 AM CST
Name: Larry Rettig
South Amana, IA (Zone 5a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Foliage Fan Cottage Gardener Tip Photographer Composter
Organic Gardener Charter ATP Member Garden Photography Houseplants Hybridizer Cat Lover
Sharon said:I loved the Amanas, Larry.


That, my dear Sharon, was and is obvious! Big Grin
Gardener was the label imprinted on me when the souls were handed out and so be it. --Margaret Roach (Thank you, Sharon!) Notes from the Garden: Articles of interest on all aspects of gardening
Cottage-in-the-Meadow Gardens: Come on in and take the tour! Check out the photos!
Image
Dec 6, 2011 3:19 AM CST
Name: Carole
Clarksville, TN (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages Plant Identifier I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Garden Ideas: Master Level Cat Lover Birds Region: Tennessee Echinacea
Did I miss how many colonies there are? And they are spread out over how much territory?
I garden for the pollinators.
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Dec 6, 2011 9:48 AM CST
Name: Mary
The dry side of Oregon
Be yourself, you can be no one else
Charter ATP Member Farmer Region: Oregon Enjoys or suffers cold winters
Thanks for the explaination of the word, and for having me on your book list. I have learned so much here!
Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.
More ramblings at http://thegatheringplacehome.m...
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Dec 6, 2011 3:09 PM CST
Name: Larry Rettig
South Amana, IA (Zone 5a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Foliage Fan Cottage Gardener Tip Photographer Composter
Organic Gardener Charter ATP Member Garden Photography Houseplants Hybridizer Cat Lover
Tee, there are seven villages on 20,000 acres of timberland, river bottom, and fields. The whole tract of land is a game preserve. In the past decade the deer have multiplied rapidly, but their population has dropped in the last few years. That's due to the fact that wolves, coyotes, and even mountain lions have moved in to take advantage of easy prey. These animals have not been seen here since the turn of the century. Actually, I don't think our area has ever had mountain lions before. Interesting, how Mother Nature works!

Here are some links to more information:

The thread "Books" in Garden Tours: LarryR, Larry Rettig

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A...
Gardener was the label imprinted on me when the souls were handed out and so be it. --Margaret Roach (Thank you, Sharon!) Notes from the Garden: Articles of interest on all aspects of gardening
Cottage-in-the-Meadow Gardens: Come on in and take the tour! Check out the photos!
Image
Apr 24, 2012 6:37 AM CST
Name: bb
north of boston on the coast
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Level 1
I just discovered this area. Very much enjoyed your garden tour! Much appreciated your sharing with us.

BB
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Apr 24, 2012 4:34 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: josephine
Arlington, Texas (Zone 8a)
Hi Everybody!! Let us talk native.
Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Butterflies Garden Ideas: Master Level Forum moderator
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Birds Cat Lover
Yes, it is beautiful. Smiling
Wildflowers are the Smiles of Nature.
Gardening with Texas Native Plants and Wildflowers.
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Apr 24, 2012 11:55 PM CST
Name: Larry Rettig
South Amana, IA (Zone 5a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Foliage Fan Cottage Gardener Tip Photographer Composter
Organic Gardener Charter ATP Member Garden Photography Houseplants Hybridizer Cat Lover
Thanks, Josephine! I tip my hat to you. Glad you enjoyed it.
Gardener was the label imprinted on me when the souls were handed out and so be it. --Margaret Roach (Thank you, Sharon!) Notes from the Garden: Articles of interest on all aspects of gardening
Cottage-in-the-Meadow Gardens: Come on in and take the tour! Check out the photos!

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