Plants, Identity, and Gardening in the Early America

Okra patch at Stone Barns, the working farm located on Rockefeller estate Pocantico Hills, New York

As part of my spring gardening series going to review a book today. In her book The Founding Gardeners (Knopf 2011), British Historian Andreas Wulf reveals just how infatuated leaders of our new nation like George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson had become with horticulture. The book is a fascinating look at colonial British America and the early national period through the lens of gardening. What is most interesting is to learn how the founding fathers intentionally began to define their separation from England and North American identity through the selection of plants cultivated in their gardens and advocated other citizens to grow as a sign of their patriotism. These included plants native to North America as well as okra from Africa. As a historian of history and foodways I love exploring topics with lots of crossover appeal. That certainly is the case with Wulf’s book which catches the attention of the avid gardener, history buff, and foodie. 

The Founding Fathers and Gardens: [Listen 24 min 27 sec] http://www.npr.org/2011/07/01/137555246/growing-a-revolution-americas-founding-gardeners

Gardening Series with Related Recipes: http://www.foodasalens.com/search?q=Gardening