From Statesman to Seedsman: Thomas Jefferson’s Garden Bliss
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
April 25, 1809
On this day, dear garden enthusiasts, we find ourselves transported to the verdant slopes of Monticello, where a most remarkable transformation was taking place.
Thomas Jefferson, the venerable statesman and third President of these United States, had at last shed the weighty mantle of office to embrace his true passion: gardening.
Oh, what a sight it must have been! The great mind that had once grappled with matters of state now turned its full attention to the intricate dance of soil and seed. No longer consumed by the duties of the presidency, our dear Thomas found himself reveling in the simple joys of tending to his beloved garden.
We know, of course, that in the twilight of his presidency, Thomas had spent many an hour yearning for his garden, his thoughts straying from matters of governance to the promise of new plantings. His correspondence with the esteemed plantsman Bernard McMahon and other horticultural luminaries had only served to stoke the fires of his botanical passion.
And so, on this fine April day in 1809, we find Thomas Jefferson living what can only be described as a gardener's dream. His quill, once employed in drafting laws and treatises, now penned these delightful words to his friend, Etienne Lemaire:
I am constantly in my garden or farms. And am exclusively employed out of doors as I was within doors when I was at Washington.
I find myself infinitely happier in my new mode of life.
Ah, what a profound observation! One might easily overlook such a statement, but let us pause to consider the wisdom contained therein. This shift in habits, this embracing of the warmer seasons and the great outdoors, is indeed a powerful tonic for the soul.
Consider, if you will, the transformative effects of time spent in nature's embrace. The very act of stepping into our gardens, feeling the warm sun on our faces and the cool earth beneath our feet, has the power to lift our spirits and soothe our troubled minds. Is it any wonder that Thomas found himself "infinitely happier" in this new mode of life?
As we gardeners well know, this time of year brings with it a cornucopia of fresh, green delights. Can you not picture Thomas, perhaps, savoring the first tender spears of asparagus, or marveling at the tart tang of newly harvested rhubarb? And let us not forget the more unconventional offerings of the spring garden!
Have you, my dear readers, ever considered the culinary potential of the humble hosta? Those tightly rolled leaves, emerging like little green cigars from the warming earth, can be quite the delicacy when properly prepared. Cut them young and fry them as you would asparagus - a treat fit for a former president, I dare say! (And if they're good enough for the deer, well, they're certainly good enough for us!) The key, as with so many of spring's ephemeral treats, is to harvest them early - just as one would the delicate fiddleheads of ferns.
As we tend to our own gardens this spring, let us take a moment to channel the spirit of Thomas Jefferson. Let us revel in the simple joys of digging in the dirt, of nurturing new life, of watching our carefully tended plants reach for the sky. For in doing so, we not only cultivate our gardens but also our own well-being.
So, my fellow gardeners, as you feel the warm spring sun on your face and the cool earth between your fingers, remember the words of Thomas Jefferson. May we all find ourselves "infinitely happier" as we embrace this most noble of pursuits. After all, is there any office more rewarding than that of Chief Gardener of one's own little paradise?
Happy gardening, and may your spring be as joyous and fulfilling as Thomas Jefferson's was on this day in 1809!