February 28, 2022 Michel Eyquem de Montaigne, Frederick William Beechey, Sumac, André Simon, Hill House Living by Paula Sutton, and Arthur William Symons

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Historical Events

1533 Birth of Michel Eyquem de Montaigne (books by this author), also known as Lord of Montaigne, French Renaissance philosopher. He was a prolific writer and was famous for his anecdotes. He once wrote,

I want death to find me planting my cabbages, neither worrying about it nor the unfinished gardening.”

1828 On this day, Frederick William Beechey (books about this person) wrote to William Jackson Hooker (books about this person) to apologize for sending an inferior collection of specimens. He explained that the expedition's collector opted to play the violin seven hours each day instead of exploring and gathering plants.

1844 The New England Journal published a little notice about a use for the milky sap of Sumac:

[It] is the best indelible ink that can be used.
Break off one of the stems that support the leaves, and write...
In a short time it becomes a beautiful jet black, and can never be washed out.

1877 Birth of André Simon (books by this author), French wine merchant, wine expert, and writer. In The Concise Encyclopedia of Gastronomy (1952), André wrote,

Beans... possess over all vegetables the great advantage of being just as good, if not better, when kept waiting, an advantage in the case of people whose disposition or occupation makes it difficult for them to be punctual at mealtime.

Grow That Garden Library™ Book Recommendation

Hill House Living by Paula Sutton

This book came out late in 2021, and the subtitle is The Art of Creating a Joyful Life.

Paula's book is a delight. It's part antique-hunting, part gardening, and part a celebration of the seasons.

A beloved British design and fashion influencer, Paula left her busy life in London at age 50 and started over in a gorgeous cottage home in the country.

Paula likes to say she traded catwalks for dog walks (she has a beautiful lab) and couture for manure.

A master of styling with vintage treasures in the home and outside in the garden, Paula shares all of her top tips and tricks for bargain hunting, repurposing, and incorporating old and new in a way that feels fresh, simple, and stylish.

As a person, Paula is positive, generous, and authentic. You will love following her on social and having a little bit of her genius right on your bookcase, coffee table, or bedside table (which is where mine is as I write this ;).

You can get a copy of Hill House Living by Paula Sutton and support the show using the Amazon link in today's show notes for $15.

Botanic Spark

1865 Birth of Arthur William Symons (books by this author), British poet, critic, and magazine editor. Here's an excerpt from his poem, Lillian, which appreciates the green powers of the hot-house:

This was a sweet white wildwood violet
I found among the painted slips that grow
Where, under hot-house glass, the flowers forget
How the sun shines, and how the cool winds blow.

Thanks for listening to The Daily Gardener

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