Long-time Shelbyville resident and County Commissioner Ed Castleman said he didn’t expect to grow another garden this year. But after “piddling around,” he now has several rows vegetables growing in his back.  

He and his wife of 67 years, Marie, like to try to grow a little of everything. In their Shelbyville garden are collards, Irish potatoes, onions, cauliflower, green beans, cabbage, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes.  

With those cucumbers, Marie likes to make bread and butter pickles. They give any extra of their crops to friends and family, while Ed may take some produce to the farmer’s market too.  

He’s been gardening for 30 years. His secret: make sure the dirt is exactly right. Then in the fall, he covers his garden with fallen leaves. He’ll add fertilizer, which he’ll turn under the soil and add Black Kow brand manure. It makes everything grow fast as well as increases nutrient content and retains moisture efficiently.  

Ed said, “It’s a seasonal thing. Given you have enough showers, the garden will produce itself.” It’s one of the reasons why he loves gardening so much. A gardener makes something out of nothing.  

Ed admits that he can’t keep still and likes to be active. Marie adds that their little garden “gives him something to do.”  

Both are Bedford County natives. Ed was raised in Shelbyville, while Marie is originally from Normandy. But both say they love living in Bedford County where they’ve been their entire lives.  

“We’re just country folk who like to do country things,” Marie said.