November 27, 2020 Plant Seed Spacing, Albert Etter, Karl Foerster, Phebe Ann Holder, The Vegetable Garden Cookbook by Tobias Rauschenberger and Oliver Brachat, and the Bicentenary at Kew

20200101 The Daily Gardener Album Cover

Today we celebrate a one of a kind American plantsman and breeder who gave us the red-fleshed Pink Pearl apple. We’ll also learn about the German nurseryman and breeder who we know from a ubiquitous feather-reed grass. We’ll hear some lovely botanical poems from a New England poet. We Grow That Garden Library™ with a…

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Founder of the Home Orchard Society: Pomologist Larry McGraw

Larry L. McGraw

“One day, Larry discovered an envelope that contained apple seeds that were a hundred years old. The letter inside the envelope referenced Marcus Whitman and his orchard.” January 29, 2005  On this day, the founder of the Home Orchard Society, Larry L. McGraw, died. His obituary stated that pomology was his passion for more than…

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One for the Record Books: Mr. Wait’s 14-inch Apple

Apple

“Mr. John Wait, of Whately, has presented… an apple weighing eighteen ounces, and measures fourteen inches in circumference.” October 25, 1843 On this day, the New England Farmer in Boston reported a record-sized apple from Mr. John Wait. The article was titled A Big One: Mr. John Wait, of Whately, has presented to the editor…

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How Breeding and Evolution have Improved the Taste of Vegetables

Celery

“The thesis is that most of our culinary delights have evolved from bitter-tasting ancestors in the vegetable kingdom.” June 28, 1843 On this day, the New England Farmer published an article called Effects of Culture. The thesis is that most of our culinary delights have evolved from bitter-tasting ancestors in the vegetable kingdom. Here’s what…

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Remembering, William Austin Dickinson, Big Brother of Emily Dickinson

William Austin Dickinson - colorized photo

“When they were young, Emily was very close to her brother. Emily’s letters reveal her admiration. One year, she wrote how even the apples would do his bidding.” April 16, 1829 On this day, Emily Dickinson’s brother, William Austin Dickinson, was born.   Although he tried his hand at teaching, William became a lawyer, following in…

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