July Archives

Botany

A view through a heart-shaped opening in a hedge.

by Berton Braley There should be no monotony In studying your botany; It helps to train And spur the brain– Unless you haven’t gotany. It teaches you, does Botany, To know the plants and spotany, And learn just why They live or die– In case you plant or potany. You learn, from reading…

Celebrating Winthrop Mackworth Praed: the Clever English Writer, Nature Lover, and Gardener

“Winthrop’s home had a fine grove. He had an orangery and beautiful grounds overlooking a harbor. Winthrop tragically died at 37 from tuberculosis.” July 26, 1802 On this day, Winthrop Mackworth Praed, an English writer and politician, was born. Winthrop wrote, I remember, I remember how my childhood fleeted by. The mirth of its…

A Tale as Old as Time: Recycling Theater Bouquets in 1874

“When the man told her the flowers would cost twenty dollars, the actress said the price was too much for one night. But then the gentleman had an idea. He said twenty dollars could be sufficient for two nights and explained how his plan would work.” July 25, 1874 On this day, the Opelousas Courier…

Garden Help By Phone via a “Dial-A-Garden-Tipline” in Green Bay

“Readers could dial the number on various days of the week and hear a taped garden message.” July 24, 1975 On this day, the Green Bay Press-Gazette shared a little notice for their “Dial-A-Garden-Tipline.” Readers could dial the number on various days of the week and hear a taped educational garden message: July 17 Russian…

Zhuzh Up Your Salsa Verde with Radish Greens

Radish-Green Salsa Verde Since summer is the time for pesto-making, I wanted to share a recipe that I discovered called Radish, Salmon, and Green Salsa Verde Toasts by Amy Scattergood. Radish-Green Salsa Verde 2 cups radish greens, from approximately 2 bunches, chopped 1 cup cilantro 1/ 2 cup extra virgin olive oil 3 garlic cloves …

I Love My Garden, And I Love Working In It

by Lucy Maud Montgomery I love my garden, and I love working in it. To potter with green growing things, watching each day to see the dear, new sprouts come up, is like taking a hand in creation, I think. Just now my garden is like faith – the substance of things hoped for. Today’s…

Gardens Are Not Made by Singing

A European robin with an orange-red breast and greyish body perched on bare, slender branches, set against a softly blurred, wintry background.

by Rudyard Kipling Gardens are not made by singing ‘Oh, how beautiful!’ and sitting in the shade. Today’s Garden words were featured on the podcast: Words inspired by the garden are the sweetest, most beautiful words of all. Rudyard Kipling

Garden Failures

by Eleanor Perenyi It takes a while to grasp that not all failures are self-imposed, the result of ignorance, carelessness or inexperience. It takes a while to grasp that a garden isn’t a testing ground for character and to stop asking, what did I do wrong? Maybe nothing. Today’s Garden words were featured on the…

A Place at the Table

A close-up of fresh, ripe strawberries with green caps resting in a woven basket, placed on a patterned mat.

by Susan Rebecca White She keeps walking, so I keep following, making our way down a stone path that leads to a set of tiered gardens. It is magical back here, garden after garden, the first filled with herbs like Mama grows, rosemary and lavender and mint and sage. Beyond that is a rose garden.…

A Humorous Story Featuring Horticulture Teacher Louise Klein Miller

“Louise had been telling a crowd of pupils about the different insects that attack plants and warned them especially against the malevolent San Jose scale.” July 22, 1938 On this day, the St. Cloud Times ran a story about a horticulturist named Louise Klein Miller. Louise, at the age of 84, was retiring as supervisor…

Advice For Rose Care During the Hottest Part of Summer From 1951

“Giving roses an adequate water supply is probably the prime responsibility during these hot dry periods. A plentiful supply of water is important to keep up the blooming rate and growth and to build energy which will mean better plants next year.” July 21. 1951 On this day, the Lancaster Era newspaper, out of Lancaster,…

Deep Summer

by Sam Keen Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability. Today’s Garden words were featured on the podcast: Words inspired by the garden are the sweetest, most beautiful words of all. Sam Keen

Bed in Summer

A rope hammock tied between two trees in a shady, leafy garden setting.

by Robert Louis Stevenson In winter I get up at night And dress by yellow candle-light. In summer quite the other way, I have to go to bed by day. I have to go to bed and see The birds still hopping on the tree, Or hear the grown-up people’s feet Still going past me…

Remembering Katherine White through the eyes of her Devoted Husband Andy (the Celebrated Author E.B. White) and Fellow Garden Writer Elizabeth Lawrence

“Katherine just spent three days in bed, in pain, caused by a back injury brought on by leaning far out over a flower bed to pick one spring bloom – the daffodil Supreme. It seems a heavy price to pay for one small flower.” July 20, 1977 On this day, the garden writer Katharine White…