Pennsylvania-German Four-square Garden
Common Methods of Corner Notching in Log Construction
Originating from the quadrant courtyards of German monasteries, the Pennsylvania German four-square kitchen gardens were divided into an even number of garden beds, usually four. They were raised, and divided by narrow paths. The garden was always fenced, with a pale or picket fence, allowing a free flow of air but keeping unwanted animals out.
The prime function of the raised beds was easy drainage and accelerated warming of the soil, producing earlier crops. The "kitchen garden" was close to the kitchen door and near a ready water supply.
Garden crops (peas, onions, lettuce, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, radish, lovage) as opposed to field crops (cabbage, potatoes, turnips, etc.) provided at least two crops per year. The most common seasonings were parsley, sage and dill. Many of the herbs were also used for medicinal purposes.
Flowers, per se, had no place in the kitchen garden, although some plants we consider ornamental were grown for their food value. Nasturtium buds were pickled to use as a caper substitute, "Pot Marigolds" eaten as a vegetable, and the "stinky flower," french marigolds were grown among beans to repel beetles.
Common Methods
this page online
Saddle · "V" · Full Dovetail · Half Dovetail · Corner Post · Square
· split-log house (flat inside) round on outside
chinked with "Wattle" (twigs and clay)
· V-notch
· corner post
· square notched, square-hewn logs
"chink-slabs" over the cracks
· flat-hewn dove tail
· saddle-notched (upper log grooved)
chinked with "Wattle" (twigs and clay)
· half dove-tail
Erected by Borough of Mifflinburg and Others.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Man-Made Features • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 40° 55.043′ N, 77° 2.777′ W. Marker is in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, in Union County. Marker is on Market Street west of 3rd Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mifflinburg PA 17844, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Exterior Clues to Identify a Town Log House (here, next to this marker); Story of Little Log House (here, next to this marker); Early Axes (here, next to this marker); Hints to Dating a Pre-1850 Building (here, next to this marker); Typical Floor Plan of Continental Central Fireplace Log House
Also see . . .
1. History uncovered as Little Log House unveiled. (The Daily Item, 2018) (Submitted on December 16, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. The Four-Square: A Classic Kitchen Garden Design (Simpson, 1998). Brooklyn Botanic Garden website entry (Submitted on December 16, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Log Cabin Notches for Beginners… Which Corner Notching System is Best?. Log Cabin Hub website entry (Submitted on December 16, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 642 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 16, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on December 15, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
