Plowing New Ground: The Legacy of Harry Ferguson

Harry Ferguson Statue at his Memorial Garden at his former home at Growell.

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. November 4, 1884 Today we celebrate Harry Ferguson [FUR-guh-sun], born on this day near Dromara [droh-MAR-ah] in County Down, Ireland. While we often think of gardening in terms of hand tools and intimate…

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Laura Ingalls Wilder: Pioneer Gardener and Writer of the Prairie

Laura Ingalls Wilder at 50 (colorized and enhanced)

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. February 7, 1867 Dearest Gardeners, On this day, we celebrate the birth of Laura Ingalls Wilder (books by this author), the beloved American author whose vivid tales of frontier life have charmed generations. But…

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Thomas Jefferson: A Young Gardener at Heart

A portrait of Thomas Jefferson, painted by Rembrandt Peale in 1800. This portrait was created when Jefferson served as Vice President under John Adams, before he became the third President of the United States in 1801.

Letter to the Monticello Naturalist On this day Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to the painter and naturalist Charles Willson Peale about his farming and gardening at Monticello (“MontiCHELLo”). Here’s an excerpt: “I have heard that you have retired from the city to a farm, and that you give your whole time to that. Does…

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Plough Monday: The End of Christmas and the Start of the Agricultural Year

A scene from Plough Monday, a traditional English holiday that marks the beginning of the agricultural year.

Starting the Agricultural Year Well, it’s official, the holidays are over – today is Plough Monday. Plough Monday is regarded as the traditional start to the agricultural year and the official end to the holiday season. Plough Monday is always the first Monday after the 12th night of Christmas, and it represented  “men’s work”. For…

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