A Rich Spot of Earth

Thomas Jefferson Foundation
  • 4.7 (13)
  • Home & Garden
  • Updated Monthly

A podcast about Thomas Jefferson, Monticello, gardening, and the natural world.

  1. 08/29/2024

    Peaches, Biennials, and Herbs

    It's August at Monticello. We’ve been grateful for a bit more rain than last month, but the heat continues to challenge us in the garden. On the bright side, August means it's peach-picking time. Or, as Jefferson once put it, "We abound in the luxury of the peach." In this episode of “A Rich Spot of Earth”, we talk about Jefferson’s quest to grow almost 40 different peach varieties. We also discuss biennial flowers and some of the interesting herbs cultivated at Monticello. Featuring Peggy Cornett, Curator of Plants; Michael Tricomi, Manager and Curator of Historic Gardens; Debbie Donley, Flower Gardener; and Robert Dowell, Senior Nursery Associate at the Thomas Jefferson Center Historic Plants.

  2. 07/19/2024

    Drought, Beneficial Critters, and Olive Dreams

    It's July at Monticello, and it’s been exceptionally hot and dry this year. We’ve got some gorgeous flowers in bloom—marigolds, blackberry lilies, globe amaranth, and hibiscus—but keeping things watered is a never-ending task. In this episode of “A Rich Spot of Earth”, we look at how periods of hot, dry weather have affected Monticello, both in Jefferson’s in time and at times in recent years. We also talk about beneficial insects and plants, and about Jefferson’s dream of cultivating olive trees in Virginia. Featuring Peggy Cornett, Curator of Plants; Michael Tricomi, Manager and Curator of Historic Gardens; Debbie Donley, Flower Gardener; and Robert Dowell, Senior Nursery Associate at the Thomas Jefferson Center Historic Plants.

  3. 06/18/2024

    Amaranths, Garden Pests, and Ginkgos

    June in the Monticello gardens offers a rich array of plants in bloom from Bachelors Buttons and Canterbury Bells to Chives and Cardoons. This time on “A Rich Spot of Earth” we focus in on another star of June, Amaranths, and discuss how to manage garden pests and diseases. We also take a special look at one of the oldest tree species in existence, the Ginkgo. Featuring Peggy Cornett, Curator of Plants; Michael Tricomi, Manager and Curator of Historic Gardens; Debbie Donley, Flower Gardener; and Robert Dowell, Senior Nursery Associate at the Thomas Jefferson Center Historic Plants.

  4. 05/11/2024

    Roses, Strawberries, Tulip Poplars and Fringe Trees

    This month we focus on a classic: the garden rose. We also talk tiny strawberries and look at two native trees that are flowering right now. Featuring Peggy Cornett, Curator of Plants; Michael Tricomi, Manager and Curator of Historic Gardens; Debbie Donley, Flower Gardener; and Robert Dowell, Senior Nursery Associate at the Thomas Jefferson Center Historic Plants.

  5. 04/20/2024

    Fruit Grafting and Jefferson's Favorite Garden Nurseries

    According to a gardening manual from Jefferson’s time, April is the month to graft fruit trees. So in this episode, we cut into the practice of grafting and explain it's critical to the fruit you eat every day. We also look at Jefferson's favorite nurseries along with the historic and modern nurseries at Monticello, and highlight the upcoming Center for Historic Plants Open Houses in April and May. Oh, there's pomegranates, too. Featuring Peggy Cornett, Curator of Plants; Michael Tricomi, Manager and Curator of Historic Gardens; Debbie Donley, Flower Gardener; and Robert Dowell, Senior Nursery Associate at the Thomas Jefferson Center Historic Plants.

  6. 03/19/2024

    Gardening Granddaughters, Hyacinths, and Tree Clumps

    It's March at Monticello and the natural world is starting to wake up. Bloodroot, Lenten rose, hyacinths, peach and pear trees are all in bloom. As Jefferson put it, "Spring" makes "a paradise of our country." It’s also Women's History Month and today we're going to talk about two of Jefferson's granddaughters who helped him in the garden. Featuring Peggy Cornett, Curator of Plants; Michael Tricomi, Manager and Curator of Historic Gardens; Debbie Donley, Flower Gardener; and Robert Dowell, Senior Nursery Associate at the Thomas Jefferson Center Historic Plants.

  7. 02/25/2024

    Gardens of Enslaved Families, Pruning

    This month we focus on the gardens enslaved families tended for themselves to supplement rations and provide additional income, and discuss how these small gardens figured prominently in the larger plantation economy. We also look at the beneficial practicing of pruning and offer tips for when and how to prune your plants. Featuring Justin Bates, Manager of Special Programs; Michael Tricomi, Manager and Curator of Historic Gardens; Peggy Cornett, Curator of Plants; Debbie Donley, Flower Gardener; and Robert Dowell, Senior Nursery Associate at the Thomas Jefferson Center Historic Plants.

  8. 01/19/2024

    Greenhouses, Historic and Modern

    The crew from Gardens and Grounds here discusses Monticello's modern, historic, and unrealized greenhouses, and share tips and techniques for caring for your plants during the winter. Featuring Michael Tricomi, Manager and Curator of Historic Gardens; Peggy Cornett, Curator of Plants; Debbie Donley, Flower Gardener; and Robert Dowell, Senior Nursery Associate at the Thomas Jefferson Center Historic Plants.

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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

A podcast about Thomas Jefferson, Monticello, gardening, and the natural world.

Information

  • Creator
    Thomas Jefferson Foundation
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc. 2023
  • Show Website
    A Rich Spot of Earth