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Fourth of July Edition! βπThomas Jefferson: Author, President, Avid Gardener, & more! ππ΅
Published about 1 month agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
Hi, Desert Gardener,
With this Fourth of July also beingthe 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, I couldn't resist the opportunity to talk about Thomas Jefferson. History remembers him as the author of the Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States. But in his heart he was first and foremost a gardener, as is evident by his famous quote:
"No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden. I am still devoted to the garden. But though an old man, I am but a young gardener."
He kept mβeticulous gardening records so much is known about his gardening endeavors. He also exchanged over 20,000 personal letters with family, friends, and colleagues that discussed his gardening experiments.
When Jefferson retired from politics, he loved nothing more than improving his home and gardens at Monticello.
I've been surprised that some of the plants he grew and mentioned in his writings are common in southwest gardens. I've written about a few on SWG. You may recognize or grow some of these yourself:
βSnail vine, which Jefferson called βthe most beautiful bean in the world.β
βSweet acacia, which he referred to as βthe most delicious flowering shrub in the world,β and wrote that it was βthe only plant besides the Orange that I would take the trouble of nursing in a green house.β
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July Gardening Guide
In the desert southwest, July means the arrival of monsoon storms, which bring higher humidity and much-needed rain. Discover what you should and shouldnβt do in the garden, and things to watch out for during this changeable month. Get the details here ββ
Upcoming Tucson Events
There are lots of interesting garden events and classes coming up soon! Upcoming highlights include: * Identifying Mountain Wildflowers @ Pima County Master Gardeners (7/9, online) * Greywater Harvesting Class @ Watershed Management Group (7/9)
If you live in Tucson or are visiting this summer, check out Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum's "Cool Summer Nights" for food, drinks, & family fun. (Sat. evenings through August.) πΊπππ π
Be a successful desert gardener. Find everything you need to know to create and maintain a beautiful, carefree desert landscape in our weekly newsletter.
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