August 2, 2019 Going to Seed, Thomas Gainsborough, Hawaiian Potatoes, Franklinia, Wallace Stevens, William Watson, The Cook and the Gardener by Amanda Hesser, Mint, and Longwood Gardens
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Monologue
Right about now, you might be thinking about doing a little garden cleanup and preparation for fall.
One of the questions I get from gardeners this time of year is whether to let some of their plants go to seed.
After spending most of the summer deadheading and illuminating all of the brown stuff on our foliage, it can be tough for some gardeners to let things go to seed.
But there are many benefits to letting some of the plants in your garden bolt in all their glory.
First of all, there is tremendous ornamental value in winter if you allow your perennials to keep their seed heads. (Think of the seed heads offered by cilantro, kale, arugula, basil, and so forth.)
Second, seeds offer food and habitat to native bees and other creatures.
Thirdly, saving seeds from the garden saves you money by eliminating the need to buy seeds for next year. (Think of your tomatoes and other edibles.) This practice also allows you to keep heritage plants alive for future generations. That’s precisely how the heirlooms we know and love have been passed down through the ages. The main thing is to allow nature to do most of the drying for you. Your seeds will have a much higher success rate if you let them dry as much as possible before collecting.
And finally, allowing plants to go to seed means that you will have less to plant in subsequent seasons, thanks to volunteer plants. Each year, my garden is blessed with Queen Anne’s lace, Indian Paintbrush, Columbine, Forget-Me-Nots, Lettuce, Dill, Foxglove, Valerian, Lovage, and Beets. All planted by God, all perfectly placed and happy as a result. My volunteers find a way to utilize the tiniest nooks and crevices in my garden.
Botanical History On This Day
1788 Thomas Gainsborough, landscape and portrait painter, died. He left behind not only masterpieces on canvas but a historic Suffolk garden anchored by a centuries-old mulberry tree.
1820 The First Potatoes in Hawaiʻi were planted after arriving aboard the American brig Thaddeus, quietly rooting themselves into island agriculture.
1938 Franklinia alatamaha made the news when an Illinois paper recalled John Bartram’s discovery of the tree named in honor of Benjamin Franklin.
1955 Wallace Stevens, modernist poet and devoted walker of Elizabeth Park, died. He spent a lifetime proving that poetry can thrive beside office hours and rose gardens alike.
Unearthed Words
1858 Poet William Watson was born, later composing verses that found human feeling mirrored in roses, lilies, and a humble daisy.
Three Flowers and Other Garden Verses
Grow That Garden Library™
Read The Daily Gardener review of
The Cook and the Gardener by Amanda Hesser
Buy the book on Amazon:
The Cook and the Gardener by Amanda Hesser
Today's Botanic Spark
2019 A Garden Day Reminder—a cheerful note inviting listeners to celebrate Garden Day at Longwood Gardens, complete with talks on variegation, hidden gems, and the pleasure of learning together.
Thanks for listening to The Daily Gardener
And remember: For a happy, healthy life, garden every day.
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