Blacksburg garden reaches new heights
David Blackwell (right) created elevated gardens for his mother LaRue Blackwell of Blacksburg. Photo by Travis Williams | The Burgs
BLACKSBURG — LaRue Blackwell’s garden has made quite a few people stop in their tracks this year.
“They’d ask me what on earth I was doing,” Blackwell said.
That’s likely because the plants the 83-year-old tends to in her garden are rooted close to 3 feet off the ground, thanks to the creativity of her son, David Blackwell.
LaRue Blackwell said she was searching for an activity to pick up when her son, who had already begun gardening at his home, suggested she join in taking up the craft.
Because of his mother’s back problems, David Blackwell suggested planting in containers atop sawhorses to eliminate much of the bending over the practice requires.
While intrigued by the idea, Blackwell said at first she wasn’t completely sure she wanted to become a gardener.
“I wasn’t sure I’d really want it [the garden], … but once he got it all fixed up, I loved it,” Blackwell said.
Blackwell has planted a variety of vegetables and herbs in her garden this year, including purple hull peas, which she said are very popular in her native west Texas.
Along with keeping crops within reach, Blackwell said the garden has also allowed her to keep her plants within close proximity of her house, which she believes has encouraged her to stay active this growing season.
“It was so much fun to come out here and pick my lettuce and make a salad. I really enjoy it,” Blackwell said.
The Roanoke Times | 381-1643
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