Coal Gardens

Chickie · 11-20-2008, 03:30 PM

Does anyone remember coal gardens? The craze took hold in the mid 1940’s and just about every home had a coal garden growing somewhere, especially those with children. We would mix up a concoction and pour it over lumps of coal. I know a couple of the ingredients were ammonia and bluing, but there may have been others. The coals were dotted with iodine and the liquid was poured over them. In a few days it was blooming gloriously in various colors. I don’t know whether it was a phenomenon throughout the country or just an east coast or New England thing. Are there any other former coal gardeners in this forum?

11-20-2008, 03:30 PM	#1
Chickie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 370 Thanks: 0 Thanked 68 Times in 39 Posts	Coal Gardens Does anyone remember coal gardens? The craze took hold in the mid 1940’s and just about every home had a coal garden growing somewhere, especially those with children. We would mix up a concoction and pour it over lumps of coal. I know a couple of the ingredients were ammonia and bluing, but there may have been others. The coals were dotted with iodine and the liquid was poured over them. In a few days it was blooming gloriously in various colors. I don’t know whether it was a phenomenon throughout the country or just an east coast or New England thing. Are there any other former coal gardeners in this forum?