From Enigma to Eden: The Extraordinary Life of Mavis Batey

Mavis Batey

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. May 5, 1921 On this day, dear friends of the green and growing, we celebrate the birth of a most remarkable woman: Mavis Lilian Batey. Imagine, if you will, a life that reads…

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A wartime taste of peaches: Del Monte’s turn from Victory Gardens

Canned peaches

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: February 8, 1944 Dearest reader, On this day, amidst the tumult of World War II, Del Monte launched a clever advertisement that pivoted from their earlier support of Victory Gardens to champion the convenience and quality of their canned and jarred fruit. Picture this:…

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Sir Edward Salisbury: Visionary Botanist and Kew Gardens Director

Sir Edward James Salisbury (1886-1978), a prominent English botanist and ecologist.

The Graveyard Garden April 16, 1886 Today is the birthday of the English botanist and ecologist, Sir Edward Salisbury. The youngest of nine children, Edward’s passion for plants started as a young boy. Edward loved to go out into the countryside to dig up plants to grow in his own garden patch at home. Once…

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Seeds of Sacrifice: The Heroes of the Vavilov Institute

Behind the equestrian statue of Nikolai I near St Isaac's Cathedral is No. 4 Building of the Institute of Plant Industry.

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. October 25, 2024 On this day, we turn our gaze to a dark chapter in horticultural history, one that intertwines the cruelty of war with the indomitable spirit of those who safeguard nature’s…

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