Garden Curiousities

I was at the pool today with the boys and a neighbor came up and asked, "What kind of amazing corn are you growing?!  It's higher than your roof line!" 

And, it is.

We grew broom corn for the first year as an experiment because we've become fascinated by the artistry of handmade brooms.  We first discovered such brooms when we met the owners of Justamere Tree Farm at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival many years ago.  Since then, we always buy our year's supply of maple syrup from them and admire their brooms.  In addition, we absolutely love and regularly read the children's book, Ox-Cart Man by poet Donald Hall which discusses the cycle of a small, family farm.  In that book, the boy makes birch brooms.

So, when we found some seed for broom corn at Colonial Williamsburg, we bought it and tried it out for fun.  We don't know enough (and honestly, probably didn't plant enough) to make our own broom (nor do we probably have the equipment).  But, we were curious and wanted to see what would happen. 

The answer is, simply, it grew well.

If you know how to turn broom corn into a broom, please fill us in on the process.  Or, if you know of other uses, that'd be great, too!  Otherwise, we are just enjoying the corn. 

And, while we are asking for advice, here's another question:  Does anyone know what kind of squash we are growing?

Thanks so much!