Newton begins preparing the ground for his garden in early March and is occupied in some form or fashion until October Edith does her share in canning and freezing what the garden produces. Last year she canned over 220 cans of beans, tomatoes, kraut, and soup. In addition she froze over 300 quarts of peaches, strawberries, beans, and mustard.

Newton says he does most of his work in the garden in the early morning hours before it gets so hot this time of year. Newton grows several varieties of green beans which stand several feet above his head. The garden is as neat as can be with grass walkways mowed out between the rows.

Newton grew up on Campbell's Creek in what was one of the oldest houses in Graham County. Edith is also from Graham County. Her parents were Ben and Jetty Pannel.

The couple moved to Gastonia in 1945 where Newton worked for Firestone. They had no place to grow a garden in Gastonia and missed it very much. They moved back to Robbinsville in 1973 and have grown a garden every year since. Newton and Edith both grew up on farms and are accustomed to growing things

Newton is 84 and Edith is 79. There is no mention of not growing a garden. In the fall of the year as the garden work slows down, Newton likes to squirrel hunt.