September 10, 2019 Time to Power Wash, David Hosack, Richard Spruce, George Bentham, Beverley Nichols, Oak by William Bryant Logan, Addressing Rot ASAP, and Plants on the Pill

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Monologue

Right about now is the perfect time to get out the power washer.

Clean your water features, edging, rocks, fountains, and your outdoor entertaining spaces. The reality is that once you start up that power washer, the list of things that you can clean with it goes on and on. As you work, you inevitably find more things to wash. When it comes to our maintenance-free decking, I'll add a little Dawn dish soap to help release the dirt out of the grooves.

And this week and next are the exact best times of year to get your ponds netted so you can catch those falling leaves and save yourself some major cleanup.

My neighbor has a huge maple tree that hangs over part of our yard. When that tree starts to the its helicopter seeds, I'll cover some of the raised beds and planters with wedding tulle to reduce the number of baby maples in the garden.

Botanical History On This Day

1806 David Hosack, physician-botanist and indefatigable seed-seeker, wrote to Thomas Jefferson with a request every gardener understands. He hoped Lewis and Clark might return with seeds from the western frontier.

1817 Richard Spruce, English botanist and heroic explorer of South America, was born. He later saved countless lives through quinine while quietly championing mosses, liverworts, and the underdogs of the plant world.

1884 George Bentham, one of Britain’s greatest systematic botanists, died on this day. He left behind a legacy of clarity, rigor, and foundational botanical texts written before breakfast.

Unearthed Words

This week continues with excerpts from the garden writer Beverley Nichols. From wartime London to suburban sanctuary, Nichols reminds us that if all men were gardeners, peace might finally take root.

Grow That Garden Library™

Read The Daily Gardener review of Oak by William Bryant Logan

Buy the book on Amazon: Oak by William Bryant Logan

Today's Garden Chore

Address rot in the garden immediately. Scout damp areas, rescue plants with wet feet, and restore balance with better drainage—because plants saved in time show their gratitude unmistakably.

Today's Botanic Spark

1981 A curious report from Cape Town suggested that hormones from a buried birth control pill could dramatically influence plant growth—proof that gardeners have always been willing to experiment, especially when curiosity takes the lead. Read the delightful oddity here.

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And remember: For a happy, healthy life, garden every day.