Written by Joan Tupponce Photography by Jen Fariello As published in Virginia Living Magazine Monticello’s head vegetable gardener grows traditional plants in a modern garden. Most people would not accept a job offer based on sea kale, but that’s exactly what Pat Brodowski did when she became head gardener of the vegetable garden at Monticello […]
posted by Monticello’s Debbie Donley and Jessica Bryars None of us anticipated the sudden need to stay close to home and ‘self-isolate’ to varying degrees. With little time to pre-plan, we find ourselves searching for ways to fill the many hours previously spent at work and in the company of others. Nature Journal: Food for […]
Posted by Peggy Cornett, Curator of Plants at Monticello The first daffodils still trumpet the arrival of spring each year at Monticello. During March and April, a succession of Narcissus varieties bloom in the Monticello flower beds, as well as in clumps in the surrounding fields and along woodland paths. In 1816, while away from […]
Posted by Keith Nevison, Monticello Manager of Farm and Nursery Operations Calling all avid gardeners – young and young at heart! With millions of America’s children currently ‘stuck at home’, we’d like to share some ideas for gardening, art, and nature-based projects that kids and parents can enjoy together. No kids? No problem! Several of […]
Posted by Jason Young Photographs by P. Cornett Though the ground may be hard and the bushes bare, winter is an all-important season of preparation for Monticello’s Gardens & Grounds team. We’ve been blessed with a few warm days this month – perfect for outdoor projects normally done with heavy mitts and wooly hats. Inside […]
Lengthening days and slowly rising temperature call out for early planting. Thomas Jefferson advised sowing a thimble-full of lettuce every Monday from February to September. We like that advice, and extend it a few weeks in each direction to harvest weekly fresh salad year-long. So in mid-January, get started with sowing lettuce and bulb onions […]