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Lewis Urick examines his tomatoes, some of which have ripened to perfection. The 74-year-old successful gardener continues to grow delicious fruits and vegetables since the onset of the macular degeneration that has left him legally blind.
Genie Collins / The Americus Times-Recorder


What an eggplant! Lewis and Shirley Urick have a talent for growing huge eggplants such as these.
Genie Collins / The Americus Times-Recorder


The pears on Lewis and Shirley Urick’s pear tree are abundant and weigh down the branches in their garden on Calvary Church Road. Lewis Urick continues his favorite pasttime in spite of the macular degeneration that has made him legally blind.
Genie Collins / The Americus Times-Recorder


Shirley Urick just examined the okra she and her husband planted.
Genie Collins / The Americus Times-Recorder


Published July 09, 2006 01:38 am - There is always something good growing in the garden of Lewis and Shirley Urick.

Tell us how your garden grows
Uricks grow abundant garden, despite his condition

Genie Collins
The Americus Times-Recorder

AMERICUS

There is always something good growing in the garden of Lewis and Shirley Urick.

At their home on Calvary Church Road, the Uricks grow corn, peas, okra, green beans, tomatoes, three kinds of squash, sweet potatoes and cucumbers. Three days a week, the Uricks take some of their produce and sell it at the Americus Farmer’s Market.

Despite his being legally blind from macular degeneration, Lewis Urick, 74, plants an abundant garden.

“I’ve been gardening for 40 years,” Lewis said. He got started after watching three of his neighbors work in their gardens, he said.

“I bought some books and planted a garden,” he said, adding that his neighbors then were asking him about how to plant the ideal garden.

Urick’s macular degeneration is hereditary, said Shirley Urick.

“His twin sister and mother have it,” she said. “He’s legally blind. He can’t read the paper or drive.”

But with a warm smile and a laugh she adds, “He can ride his tractor in the wide open spaces.”

Lewis’ secret is planting the rows far enough apart, so that he can maneuver the tractor between the rows, Shirley said.

“He drives Kabotas,” she said. “He has three different tractors for each implement.”

The implements include the mowing tool, the tiller and the cultivator, she explained.

“Shirley helps change the implements,” Lewis said, nodding at his wife.

For someone considering planting a garden, Lewis advises them to start with a soil test.

“Decide what you want to plant and don’t start too big,” he said. “Plant only what you can care for.”

Then, with a chuckle and smile, he added, “And watch plenty of HGTV.”



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