Job Baster: Dutch Naturalist and Pioneer of Goldfish Breeding

Job Baster

Pond-Owner-Extraordinaire Today is the birthday of the Dutch naturalist and pond-owner-extraordinaire Job Baster. Baster was one of the first Dutch nature researchers to use a microscope to look at flora and fauna. He wrote down his findings in a book. He also wrote an excellent translation of Philip Miller’s work on horticulture. In 1758, Baster…

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April 2, 2020 Prospect Cottage, Pascua Florida, Maria Sibylla Merian, Job Baster, American Farmer, The Overstory by Richard Powers, and Max Ernst

The Daily Gardener Podcast Album Cover with a pot of rosemary - the herb for remembrance - beckoning gardeners to remember to listen to the show. Updated September 2025.

Today we celebrate the discovery and naming of the state of Florida. We’ll also learn about one of the best botanical illustrators ever born as well as the man who introduced goldfish to Holland. We celebrate the publication of the first successful agricultural journal. Today’s Unearthed Words feature words about April. We Grow That Garden…

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The Naturalist Who Brought Goldfish to Holland: Remembering Job Baster

Beeld Job Baster thumbnail image

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. April 1, 1711 On this day, Job Baster was born. This remarkable Dutch naturalist was among the first in his country to examine the minute details of flora and fauna through the revealing…

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