Lyons Creek Gardens

In 1979, the Pfeiffer family relocated to Blue Earth County, Minnesota. “We were in need of a home with enough land to sustain our growing family after experiencing financial and life setbacks. We were led to an affordable house and acreage on Minneopa Creek (originally called Lyons Creek) near Lake Crystal and Mankato.” This property, known to the locals as The Hobart House, had a title history going as far back at 1858 and even mentioned President James Buchanan.

However, the old house was not without its difficulties. It sat on the bank of Lyons Creek, and was surrounded by a barren weed-choked marsh of untilled acres. But Naomi, mother of the brood, stood on her front stoop and saw only possibilities. A big garden was a necessity first because it was a huge money saver and second because home-grown garden produce is loaded with nutrition. She envisioned replenished soil, using only natural ages-old techniques that would turn their homestead into a thriving garden.

With the whole family pitching in, she would grow a garden without chemicals and fertilize the garden so that it would grow nutrition-rich produce. Since the children were eating their vegetables directly from the garden, chemicals were not in the game plan.

The soil needed clearing and strengthening. Aggressively, every year, more sections were turned into rich black topsoil. Early on, a commitment was made to provide the soil with precious nutrients, despite the expense. Starting in 2010 soil tests were taken. Based on these tests Highbrix natural minerals and natural nutrients were added every year for optimal plant health. This careful attention to the quality of the soil has resulted in harvests that contain an improved nutrient density and a higher level of trace minerals. In addition, faithful attention to soil nutrition lengthens the shelf life of the produce! The land produces in rich abundance, without the use of chemical additives.

Along with the garden, the children thrived. The kids not only ate the vegetables, but enjoyed them. Vegetables were always their primary snack. “Our son’s preschool teacher was amazed when she saw our 4-year-old son scraping his own carrot. They ate cucumbers like apples right off the vine. The asparagus plants were always missing their tops. When beans were brought in to freeze the children were warned, “No snitching”.”

To maintain adequate watering of the garden a hydrant was installed at an essential midpoint. To keep wild rabbits out, a perimeter fence was put up, and when that didn’t do the trick, a trench was dug around the base of the fence and then backfilled with gravel. The garden is now rabbit-proof.

Little by little the vision has become a reality as the vegetable gardens flourish. The perennial gardens produce waves of cut flowers. The fruit trees produce bushels of apples and pears.

During the summer months the kitchen is filled with cooling jars of home canned pickles, pears, and applesauce. Tomatoes become salsa, cocktail sauce, and spaghetti sauce. We fill our freezer with cucumbers, asparagus, raspberries, rhubarb, and string beans. Countless jars of ground cherry, grape and raspberry jam are stowed for the winter. The prolific grape vines make an excellent wine; and the grape leaves are an added bonus.

We feel so blessed; filled with personal satisfaction after harvesting such bounty.

Our biggest crop is our tomatoes. A while ago we began using open-pollinated Heirloom seeds for starting over 200 tomato plants each year. Great White, Kellogg’s Breakfast, Mortgage Lifter, Black Krim, Cherokee Purple, Peace Vine, and Japanese Triffele are only a sampling. These heirloom varieties from around the world have withstood the test of time...

As part of the trifecta of essential foods, we also grow a fascinating variety of peppers. A few of those we are growing are Mariachi, Poblano, Pimento L, Yellow and Peach Habanero, Albino Bullnose,and Leutschauer Paprika.

And finally, our beds of purple, pink, orange and peach Asian Lilies, white, pink and red Coral Bells, Allium, Hostas, and Calla Lilies can be cut to adorn your wedding or anniversary parties.

At this point we would like to extend a special thanks to those of you who have visited this web site! The fastest way to find out what we have each week is to send us your email address at lyonscreekgardens@hotmail.com. I will do frequent mailings of what we are currently selling.

Thank you for your interest in Lyons Creek Gardens!

Paul and Naomi Pfeiffer