September 19, 2019 Early Fall at the Botanic Garden, Mildred Mathias, Orville Redenbacher, Francis Darwin, Dr. James Duke, Louise Seymour Jones, The Backyard Homestead by Carleen Madigan, Moving Houseplants Back Indoors, Dr. Oliver Sacks and the New York Botanical Garden

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Monologue

There are some lines from a TS Eliot poem that go like this :

Oh, do not ask, 'What is it?'

Let us go and make our visit.

If you've never visited your local botanic garden this time of year, you really should go. A friend recently posted terrific pictures from her visit to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. She said:

"This is my PSA : Get yourself to the Arb ....now . Don’t wait to go just to see the change in color of the trees (like everyone else ) Go now ! The colors of the flowers are crazy ! This is just a couple quick snaps with my phone ( which doesn’t do justice) no filters, editing or enhancing. The colors are just THAT bright and bold.

I’ve never gone this time of year. I go in the spring, a few times mid summer then I wait like everyone else for the leaves to change and go again. I’ve even gone in the winter but never late late summer /early fall . For some reason I thought there wouldn’t be anything to look at. I thought the flowers would be half dead ( like my potted plants at home ) I won’t make that mistake again."

Botanical History On This Day

1906 Mildred Mathias, UCLA botanist and pioneer of ecotourism, was born. She was a tireless scholar of the Umbelliferae whose energy, mentorship, and “Green Dream” legacy still shade gardeners today.

1995 Orville Redenbacher died, remembered for transforming popcorn through agricultural science and turning a fluffy “snowflake” hybrid into a household name.

1925 Francis “Frank” Darwin, son of Charles Darwin, died. He is remembered for a life of teaching and gratitude and is proof that the finest coin in education is influence, not pay.

1991 James A. Duke was featured by The New York Times, sharing how plants for health and healing belonged not just to textbooks, but to the dinner plate and the daily walk.

Unearthed Words

As summer slackens its grip, Louise Seymour Jones captures the weary grace of the gardener whose steps slow as the season turns dusty and reflective.

Grow That Garden Library™

Read The Daily Gardener review of The Backyard Homestead by Carleen Madigan

Buy the book on Amazon: The Backyard Homestead by Carleen Madigan

Today's Garden Chore

As nights cool, begin moving houseplants indoors — easing them gently from summer sun to indoor light while windows can still offer a soft transition.

Today's Botanic Spark

Inspired by Oliver Sacks, we’re reminded that gardens are havens, libraries, and quiet incubators for thought — places where walking among plants can clarify the mind and heal the spirit.

Thanks for listening to The Daily Gardener

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