July Archives

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…

Joseph Sauriol

Garden Toad On this day, the Canadian Naturalist Charles Joseph Sauriol (“Sar-ee-all”) wrote about sharing his garden with a toad. He wrote, “One particular toad has taken quite a fancy to the Wild Flower garden. His den is alongside the Hepatica plant. There he sits half-buried, and blinks up at me while I shower water…

A July Afternoon by the Pond

by Walt Whitman The fervent heat, but so much more endurable in this pure air — the white and pink pond-blossoms, with great heart-shaped leaves; the glassy waters of the creek, the banks, with dense bushery, and the picturesque beeches and shade and turf; the tremulous, reedy call of some bird from recesses, breaking the…

Pigeon peas

Easy Peasy 1938 On this day, The Miami News published an article with the title “Tropical Peas Will Mitigate Relief Wants.” The article begins this way, “If English peas don’t suit your palate, plant pigeon peas. The suggestion is that of a Miami pioneer, Charles F. Sulzner, who through the years has pointed out to…

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…

Benning Wentworth

The New Hampshire State Flower It’s the birthday of the colonial governor of New Hampshire, Benning Wentworth, who was born on this day in 1696. American gardeners remember Benning because he brought the lilac along with other trees and shrubs when he immigrated to States from England. In 1750, the first lilac was planted at…

Henry Shaw

Shaw’s Garden It’s the birthday of the man who created the Missouri Botanical Gardens, also known as “Shaw’s Garden,” or “Hank’s Garden” – the great horticulturist and botanical philanthropist Henry Shaw. Henry is celebrated on the St. Louis Walk of Fame with this epitaph: “Henry Shaw, only 18 when he came to St. Louis, was…

Alexandre Dumas

Larger-Than-Life Author Today is the birthday of French author of “The Three Musketeers” and gourmet Alexandre Dumas (” Doo-Ma”). Alexandre also wrote the Count of Monte Cristo, which contains many passages about the garden. Here’s one for Chapter 44: “The garden was long and narrow; a stretch of smooth turf extended down the middle, and…

When To Sow

by Vita Sackville-West When skies are gentle, breezes bland. When loam that’s warm within the hand Falls friable between the tines. Sow hollyhocks and columbines. The tufted pansy, and the tall Snapdragon in the broken wall. Not for this summer, but for next. Since foresight is the gardener’s text. And though his eyes may never…

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 …

St. Phocas

The Gardener Today, Catholics honor St. Phocas the Gardener who lived in Turkey during the third century. A protector of persecuted Christians, Phocas grew crops in his garden to help feed the poor. Phocas is remembered for his hospitality and generosity; his garden played an essential part in living both of those virtues. When Roman…

Frances Ropes Williams

Hybridizing Hostas Today is the birthday of the woman who is remembered for one of the most popular hostas in American gardens: Frances Ropes Williams. Frances had a shady garden in Winchester, Massachusetts. And, what is the most-used plant by shade gardeners? Hostas. That’s right. And Frances had an appreciation for hostas before they became…

John Goldie

The Glasgow Botanist Today is the anniversary of the death of the Scottish-born botanist and author John Goldie. He led an extraordinary life. He started as an apprentice at the Glasgow Botanic Garden. As a young man, another botanist bumped him off what was to be his first plant exploration. However, the botanical gods were…

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. As…