April 22, 2021 Plants and People of Vanuatu, J Sterling Morton, August Wilhelm Eichler, Spring Gratitude, Kitchen Garden Cookbook by Jeanne Kelley, and the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden
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Botanical History On This Day
1832 Birthday of Julius Sterling Morton, the Nebraska editor and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture who founded Arbor Day. Disturbed by treeless Nebraska landscapes, Morton proposed a “Sylvan Day” that evolved into Arbor Day—first celebrated in 1872 with over a million trees planted. His vision of tree planting as a hopeful investment for the future lives on in Arbor Day celebrations nationwide, typically observed each April, honoring the lasting value of trees to civilization.
1839 Birthday of German botanist August Wilhelm Eichler, pioneer of evolutionary plant classification. Eichler’s work on Flora Brasiliensis helped catalog Brazil’s rich plant diversity. He observed,
“The felling of the first tree is the beginning of human civilization. The felling of the last is his end.”
Honored today with a Dresden street in his name, Eichler’s efforts grounded botany in natural evolutionary principles.
Unearthed Words
Celebrate spring’s reward and joy with Barbara Kingsolver’s lyrical tribute to gratitude—the solid, enduring gift of a season’s renewal. Her words echo cultural and spiritual reverence for spring as a triumphant return of life and hope after winter’s pause.
Grow That Garden Library™
Read my review of Kitchen Garden Cookbook by Jeanne Kelley, a celebration of homegrown flavors and simple cooking from the garden. Jeanne offers over 100 recipes inspired by seasonal fruits, vegetables, eggs, and honey from your own kitchen garden, turning fresh harvests into delightful meals all year round.
Buy the book on Amazon: Kitchen Garden Cookbook by Jeanne Kelley
Today's Botanic Spark
1965 The Jacqueline Kennedy Garden was dedicated without Mrs. Kennedy present. The garden was a testament to her graceful humility and partnership with horticulturist Rachel “Bunny” Mellon. Designed as a gentle complement to the Rose Garden, this elegant space features soft plantings, circular beds, permeable basketweave brick paths, and an iconic Lutyens bench bearing a delicate silver plaque, all quietly honoring a first lady’s love of gardens.
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