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Quote of the Day

April 20th, 2014

For Jefferson, plants were intimately associated with people-friends, neighbors, political allies-and the exchange of seeds, bulbs, and fruit scions represented a token of enduring friendship. This union for gardening and sociability is evident throughout the letters in the garden book. Jefferson would chide his daughters and granddaughters for their inattention to the flower beds around the house, while they in turn would report on the latest horticultural dramas taking place at Monticello. Jefferson also engaged in friendly competitions with his neighbors to determine who could harvest the first English pea in the spring. The winner then hosted a community dinner, sharing the winning dish (or teaspoon) of peas.

from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

light-pink-peony-in-sun
As gardeners we often offer cuttings of our favorite plants and receive the same in return. My garden in Ohio was filled with plants collected from friends and family members far and wide. I had peonies that were cuttings from one that was growing in the flowerbeds at my grandmother’s house when they moved there when my mom was a wee little girl.
comfrey
lily_of_the_valley
I’m also lucky to have a start of the old fashioned comfrey that also graced that garden along with a few starts from her lily of the valley.
Spring Sedum
I had a host of sedum plants collected here there and everywhere as well. A few of these plants made it to Maine with me, some of them I need to get starts from my mom once again. I’m now starting from scratch, hopefully I’ll find a few friendly gardeners here that are willing to share starts with me!

What plant do you think people would associate with you as a gardener?

6 Comments to “Quote of the Day”
  1. Nebraska Dave on April 20, 2014 at 8:53 am

    Susy, I never really thought about this much but not many of my friends are gardeners. The busy life of urban living and gardening just doesn’t seem to go together. I did have a request of Iris when I rejuvenated that flower bed. My friends are more interested in the harvest of the vegetables than the cultivation of the plants. It’s a symbiotic relationship. I like growing the plants and but not really preserving the harvest. They like eating the fresh produce and don’t like growing the plants. Some times they can’t grow the plants due to health or space restrictions. Any way it works out great for both of us.

    Have a great plant collecting day.

    P.S. Happy Easter to you and Brian. I hope your ham is the best.

    Reply to Nebraska Dave's comment

  2. Misti on April 20, 2014 at 9:56 am

    At one point in time when we had a ton of orchids, I think people would have associated us with orchids. Now, I’m not sure. Our garden is a cottagey/tropical mix that I can’t put a finger on it yet. I do think we tend to grow tomatoes quite well, generally, and I think my family always tries to figure out how we do so well with them.

    Reply to Misti's comment

  3. Lexa on April 20, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    I think it would be dahlias as a flower and Winter Squash as a vegetable. I suppose not too many nuts would grow 250+ dahlia a year, but there are just so many beautiful ones to grow. :) BTW, if you would like any tubers just let me know. I would be more than happy to put a box in the mail – just let me know your favorite dahlia forms and colors.

    Reply to Lexa's comment

  4. MN Reid on April 21, 2014 at 1:31 pm

    People know me for tomato and pepper seedlings, expecially at work.

    I am usually the go to when someone has a gardening question.

    Reply to MN Reid's comment

  5. cara on April 23, 2014 at 2:29 pm

    I came across your website as I was looking for a hummingbird feeder I broke a year ago and have been unable to find. The article was dated 9/15/2011 the photo a globe shaped feeder I am obsessed with as all others do not work in my environment I love your articles and photos but have o idea if I am doing this right. If u know where I can find this elusive jewel I would be so grateful for a reply!
    cara
    Scottsdale, Az

    Reply to cara's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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