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Curated News

5 Front-Yard Landscaping Secrets | Better Homes & Gardens

Botanical History On This Day

1943 Death of Nikolai Vavilov, a pioneering Russian botanist and plant geneticist who founded over 400 research institutes and led global expeditions to preserve plant genetic diversity. His vision to end hunger through genetic resource preservation led to the establishment of the St. Petersburg seed vault (now the Vavilov Institute). Tragically, Vavilov died of starvation in a Soviet concentration camp after being denounced by political rivals.

1905 Birth of Eloise Ray, Connecticut landscape architect, renowned for her estate gardens and delicate garden illustrations. Eloise knew how to outsmart groundhogs by growing only plants they found unpalatable. Reflecting on her career in 1978, she recalled designing formal gardens with intricate elements, which required a large team of gardeners to maintain them.

Unearthed Words

In today's excerpt, garden writer Katharine White shares her joy with bulbs in pots, especially with February Gold daffodils, which actually bloomed as early as New Year's Day. She praised the ease of growing such bulbs indoors, if kept in a cool cellar, noting that similar bulbs, like paperwhites, could be grown in bowls, bringing early flower cheer in winter.

Grow That Garden Library™

Read my review of The Joy of Botanical Drawing by Wendy Hollender, a 2020 guide teaching readers to create vibrant and realistic botanical illustrations. Wendy Hollender skillfully breaks down drawing and painting techniques using colored and watercolor pencils, covering a range of subjects including flowers, leaves, fruits, and more, inspiring botanical artists at all levels. The book features step-by-step lessons from an artist passionate about botanical subjects.

Buy the book on Amazon: The Joy of Botanical Drawing by Wendy Hollender

Today's Botanic Spark

January 26 is recognized as National Seed Swap Day, marking the first held during a global pandemic. Gardeners have creatively adapted by exchanging seeds through mail, porch drops, or neighborhood apps like NextDoor. A charming innovation is transforming Little Free Book Libraries into Little Seed Libraries, fostering community seed sharing safely and spreading seed-saving enthusiasm across neighborhoods.

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