Saturday, June 10, 2017

"A Rich Spot of Earth": Thomas Jefferson's Revolutionary Garden at Monticello

Author: Peter Hatch
Stars: 5
Review by: Shapoppa

 What an interesting read about Thomas Jefferson's experimental garden written by Monticello's Director of Gardens & Grounds Emeritus, Peter Hatch. If you're an avid gardener, it's a must-read. If you're like me, a lover of American history and someone who likes the idea of an expansive garden, but will settle for a couple of pots on the deck, it's still a must-read! Jefferson kept such detailed notes about his garden and Hatch describes the history of how Jefferson devised his garden, how seeds were tracked, and how the garden was organized, dug, and maintained back then, and today. He even writes about the restoration of the garden in later years. Part II of the book is a catalog of various "fruits, roots, and leaves" that were planted at Monticello. A horticultural achievement.

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