Neeps and Tatties

Neeps and Tatties

by Lorraine Harrison “Neep” is the Scots term for the rutabaga, the root vegetable known as swede in Britain. Neeps and tatties (dialect for mashed potatoes) are the traditional accompaniment to haggis, served on Burns Night (January 25). Recipes vary, but butter and a little spice such as nutmeg or powdered ginger are common additions.…

Read More

Robert Burns

Robert Burns

Burns Night January 25, 1759 Today is the birthday of the Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns. Widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and celebrated worldwide, tonight is Burns Night. Each year Burns Night commemorates Robert, the beloved poet born into a poor Scottish family of farmers. A typical Burns Night includes live…

Read More

January 25, 2021 How to Grow Chillies, Robert Burns, the Star of Bethlehem Orchid, the Vegetable History of Neeps and Tatties, Botanica Magnifica by Jonathan Singer, and the Garden’s Three R’s of Renovation

20200101 The Daily Gardener Album Cover

Today we celebrate a poet who loved flowers and became the beloved poet-son of a country that celebrates him still today. We’ll also learn about an orchid that inspired a fabled true story about Charles Darwin. We’ll hear about some fascinating vegetable history that is celebrated every year on this day. We Grow That Garden…

Read More

Blooms in the Beltway: The Secret Gardens of 19th Century Senators

William R. Smith, portrait by Frances Benjamin Johnston, 1900

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. October 9, 1887 On this day in 1887, the Los Angeles Herald unveiled a treasure trove of horticultural delights, dear readers. William Smith, the esteemed superintendent of the botanical gardens, regaled us with…

Read More