Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nation

by Andrea Wulf

A groundbreaking look at the Founding Fathers and their obsession with gardening, agriculture, and botany by the author of Magnificent Rebels and New York Times bestseller The Invention of Nature. • “Illuminating and engrossing.” — The New York Times Book Review

For the Founding Fathers, gardening, agriculture, and botany were elemental a conjoined interest as deeply ingrained in their characters as the battle for liberty and a belief in the greatness of their new nation.

Founding Gardeners is an exploration of that obsession, telling the story of the revolutionary generation from the unique perspective of their lives as gardeners, plant hobbyists, and farmers. Acclaimed historian Andrea Wulf describes how George Washington wrote letters to his estate manager even as British warships gathered off Staten Island; how a tour of English gardens renewed Thomas Jefferson’s and John Adams’s faith in their fledgling nation; and why James Madison is the forgotten father of environmentalism. Through these and other stories, Wulf reveals a fresh, nuanced portrait of the men who created our nation.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Gardening, Nature, Biography, American History, Historical

349 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Andrea Wulf is a biographer. She is the author of The Brother Gardeners, published in April 2008. It was longlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize and received a CBHL Annual Literature Award in 2010. She was born in India, moved to Germany as a child, and now resides in Britain.

Reviews

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers the period of time in which George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison helped to design a new country while simultaneously designing the landscapes of their estates. The author deftly weaves between dilemmas they faced such as “should states be represented equally by number or variably by population?” and “how can I get my hands on one of those fabulous Kentucky coffee trees that James Madison’s neighbor grows?“

This isn’t an especially fast read, but is a treasure well worth the time. Because of the importance in my life of my own gardening field trip trio, I especially enjoyed the friendship and botanical excursions of Washington, Jefferson, and Madison. The somewhat cantankerous Mr. Adams was usually excluded, which made it all the sweeter when he and Thomas Jefferson developed a close friendship at the end of their lives.

Of the four, Adams was the only one who did not own slaves. He also had the least wealth and property (hence, the crankiness?). Little attention was given to how much beauty must have been made possible by the work of slaves. I found myself ambivalent about this. As a reader it allowed me to romanticize the brilliant and creative minds of these men without having to dwell on such unpleasantness, but as a human being I thought it a terrible oversight.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a lovely book about Washington, Jefferson, Adams and Madison's approach to the natural environments in which they lived. Wulf writes about their differences in personal philosophies regarding nature, gardening, landscaping, crop cultivation and popular agricultural philosophies of their day. What I found of most interest was the degree of agricultural experimentation these presidents were participating in on their own farms/gardens(to the degree that they helped introduce what are considered some of today's more invasive plant species--oops!).

Wulf's writing style is creative and successfully makes what could have been very dry reading of a "historical" nature quite interesting. She is knowledgeable about gardens and clearly crosses over popular gardening trends in Europe with trends in America at the time; Wulf explains how they both influenced and played off of one another. I feel like I know these presidents better after reading Wulf's book. Overall, her approach to history is refreshingly interesting.

The only drawback to this book is the editing could have been better. Sometimes the sentence construction was a bit confusing and messy--it needed flushing out. There are more editorial/printing mistakes in this book than I've seen in a long time and it needed to be tightened up before printing. Stumbling over mistakes too often can annoy and distract the reader. Plus such mistakes call into question the author’s credibility. Barring this publishing oversight, I would definitely recommend Wulf’s book for her creative approach to a historical subject matter.

[Booknblues · Rating 4 out of 5]

Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nation is a merger of two of my interests, history of the founding fathers and gardening and with it Andrea Wulf has created a interesting twining of the founding of the United States and the gardening interests of the founders.

She reviews the gardening pursuits of Franklin, Washington, John Adams, Jefferson and Madison along with the backdrop of the founding of the nation. The reader discovers that all these men had a great interest in gardening in its broadest sense. Washington in patriotic fashion used only native plants in his gardens and arboretum at Mount Vernon; Jefferson and Adams toured famous English gardens together and both drew from the knowledge developed there in the design of their respective estates; Madison believed strongly in conservation and that man had the responsibility to use nature and its resources wisely.

If any of this appeals to you, I would encourage you to read it.

[Tuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit of a slog as wulf takes a fairly rigorous academic approach, but that said, what other way would she? an interesting way to think about english/n amer colonies and the explosion of enlightenment and science (and trading/publishing written material and botanical goods back and forth across atlantic) and the people who fomented revolution and set up a new govt in n amer. via their gardens, farms, and passions for growing things melded to idea of this making one free, or freeer (unless of course you were a woman, a black or otherwise enslaved, indian, poor uneducated sap, then....you were hoeing the garden, not contemplating the power of plants to make oneself free and independent [and rich{er}])
fun history book though, with lots of pictures and color plates.

[Sylvia Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very engaging storytelling about our founding fathers and how gardens and horticulture and adventures in botany reflected the philosophies and hopes of our early political leaders. I learned more about our founding fathers in this book than I ever did in school!

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A total surprise, this book about Washington, Jefferson, Adams and Maidosn and their relationship to plants and land and how it informed their governance was fascinating. Short but satisfying.

[J.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've read much about the founding fathers you hear a lot of little 'mentions' about their gardens. George Washington took time even while fighting the British to send instructions to his plantation manager regarding Mount Vernon. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson spent weeks touring gardens in England, and Jefferson and James Madison later did the same in America. And the gardens at Jefferson's Monticello and Madison's Montpelier are still famous and visited by many today. But all you get in most histories are the little 'mentions,' and it's always left the subject tantalizingly vague for me.

Washington was perhaps the most efficient gardener or farmer, abandoning tobacco early in favor of crops that weren't so destructive to the soil. He also experimented extensively with manures in an effort to replenish the soil. Adams returned home after the presidency and was happiest working on his humble Massachusetts farm. Jefferson was always on the lookout for seeds and plants that might be beneficial in America and traded continually with a large network of friends (as did Benjamin Franklin). Jefferson was especially interested in the new species brought back by Lewis & Clark when they explored the Louisiana Territory and spent much of his time experimenting and trying to grow new and better plants.

Andrea Wulf explores this aspect of the founders that we seldom see except in glimpses in her new book Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nation. All were extremely interested in the land almost to the point of obsession, and saw nature as a symbol of America's strength and potential. Wulf is clear from the beginning that she makes no distinction between "gardening" and "agriculture," and this occasionally makes it sound like she's forcing connections in presenting her thesis. But 200 years ago there wasn't as much of a difference between the two as in our day when we are much more divorced from the soil. She also acknowledges the large role slave labor played in the extravagant gardens built by Washington, Jefferson, and Madison (although Washington wasn't afraid to roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty), and looks at their different attitudes towards slavery. But overall, this is a fascinating look at their thoughts toward gardening and farming, and shows very convincingly just how fascinated they were in working with the soil. And it gives an interesting and more full perspective on who they were as people – beyond all their other accomplishments.

(Originally posted on my blog on 9/2/11: bookworm-dad.blogspot.com)

[Liana Van Zen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get past the first few chapters. The book really seems to idolize these "founding gardeners" to the point where their habits of ENSLAVING PEOPLE are entirely skimmed over.

To write a book about the sprawling gardens and estates of America's founding fathers, without really touching on the enslaved laborers who planted, tended, and stewarded (by force) these gardens with incredible botanical skill, is a complete disservice to American history.

I remember reading about when George Washington wanted his trees replanted in a blizzard, so he forced his enslaved gardeners to go out in incredible harsh conditions and do intense manual labor. This anecdote was phrased as if it was something cutesy-- "Oh, look at how much Washington loves his garden!" instead of the disgusting display of power and lack of empathy that is truly demonstrates.

This topic is fascinating, but this book failed to convey the nuance of these "founding gardeners." Are you really a gardener if you use enslaved labor to grow these gardens? I don't think so.

I don't think I'll ever try reading this book again.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this book...If you are a master gardener (which I am an intern) botanist or lover of history, this book is for you...Its so much fun to pour over the diaries and letters of the famous and peel back the layers to find out they shared a common love of gardening that is so popular today.....Wulf nicely weaves the story of historical gardening in the US with the Revolutionary War events and early history as backdrops...One sees the connection between the new ideals of the founding fathers and their love of farming and planting ....Washington refused to plant any flowers, trees or shrubs from England in his gardens, a radical move during a time when Britain dominated culture and society.....He created one of the first native plant gardens, searching for specimens on horseback along the Eastern Seaboard...Plus Andrea Wulf will be giving a talk at Adkins Arboretum next Monday at noon to discuss her new book!

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

[Julieann Wielga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Founding Gardeners (Knopf 2011) Andrea Wulf
Andrea Wulf lives in London, her degree is from London Royal College of Art, so it seems that her perspective on the Founding Fathers come from both sides of the Atlantic.
Her point is that gardening, farming, within our huge expanse of untame nature was integral with our founding fathers’ confidence in that we could become a nation independent of Britain. It is also the occupation, center, and preoccupation to which Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Adams , Madison returned when their political lives were at a pause or crossroads.
Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and James Madison had all visited or ordered plants form John Bartram, the American botanist and plant collector, just outside of Philadelphia. Their letters to each other and to others often talked of plants and landscapes. The city of Washington itself and each one of their homes, Mount Vernon, Monticello, John Adam’s home in Quincy, and Montpellier all were places where these men expended both their intellect and their physical natures. Franklin saw in each new seed renewed possibility for economic independence from England. ( He even had the recipe for Tofu, but the seeds that he obtained to make it, were alas, garbanzos.)
Washington and Adams had uniform personas. Jefferson continually appears to be a sphinx viewing the contradictions between his writings and his actions, his presenting himself as a poor country boy in his life in America and his flamboyant life style in Paris connected with flagrant overspending, his two families, one from his wife and one from his mulatto concubine. However, as a gardener, Wulf writes on page 183,”The sheer scale of the vegetable terrace made Jefferson the most extraordinary gardener in the United States…Jefferson’s approach to his gardening was of Enlightenment-observing, experimenting and recording.” (Wulf connected Jefferson’s extreme yearning for knowledge about nature to his purchase of the Louisiana Territory and Lewis and Clark’s exploration of it.) Despite their rancorous political disagreements it is their letters about gardening that brought John Adams and Thomas Jefferson back into a friendship for their old age.
Madison is the founding Father about which I have read the least. Madison was the first president of the Agriculture Society of Albemarle , a group of progressive Virgina farmers whos task was to improve agricultural practices and Virginia soil. A year after the society’s inception Madison ame a speech , calling for change in current agricultural practices explaining the “symmetry of nature” the interrelationship between earth and mankind.” Wulf says that Madison was the first to weave together a myriad of theories from different areas, combining political ideology, soil chemistry, ecology and plant physiology into one comprehensive idea. He brought together Thomas Malthus’s theories on population growth (and decline through disease and famine), Humphrey Davy’s recent writings on agricultural chemistry, Josephs Priestley’s discovery of oxygen and Jan INgenhousz’s understanding of plant respiration, as well as practical experiment recorded by the British Board of Agriculture. Just as he had digested two hundred books on morning and ancient republics into one succinct paper in preparation of r the Constitutional convention three decades previously, he now fused the latest theories into one voice, rallying Americans to safeguard their environment.” 206 He was an environmentalist before Thoreau.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book in paperback one frigid January day 2 years ago when a friend and I toured Mt. Vernon and its grounds. There aren't many people touring George Washington's home and gardens in winter. I got copies of Founding Gardeners for friends I knew would like it, too. I started to read it -- then lost it in my study. How do you lose a book in a small room? I've been straightening the room out but Founding Gardeners hasn't revealed itself. So I bought it on Kindle. It's a wonderful book, beautifully written. It's a perfect book for the current horrifying presidential election season. For one thing, it shows that nasty political dung slinging isn't only of 2016. The Founding Fathers slung dung themselves; but they were also agrarian visionaries who studied the rejuvenative properties of dung up close and personal themselves. Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and John Adams believed America's future strength lay in strong and progressive farming. In Madison's case, conservation was an explicit goal. Always farming was to be productive and beautiful. They left mercantile, manufacturing, and investing aspirations to Hamilton -- and opposed them. Andrea Wulf tells this story wonderfully. Not a petal, not a twig, not a blade of grass is uninteresting.

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gem this book is. Andrea Wulf opens our eyes to a secret love that several of the founding fathers shared, a love of gardening.
Wulf details that even as British ships gathered off Staten Island, George Washington wrote his estate manager about the garden at Mount Vernon; how a tour of English gardens renewed Thomas Jeffersons and John Adamss faith in their fledgling nation; how a trip to the great botanist John Bartrams garden helped the delegates of the Constitutional Congress break their deadlock.
She shows us how American trees and plants started to revolutionize the great English gardens.
Do you think that Henry David Thoreau was the first American to warn of the growing damage to America's environment? Wait till you read the chapter on James Madison , our forgotten father of American environmentalism.
If you are a serious gardener and a reader of history, then you need this book in your library. (I have lent my own copy out now three times, and have given another copy to a friend as a gift.)

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a newly obsessed gardener and as a lover of history, I found this book a wonderful read. I love this book! I will read it at least one more time. I'm going to buy a copy to have on a special shelf in my own personal Library along with The Encyclopedia of Dahias. ;-)

[Aalia Thomas]

I read this for work lol. The founding fathers all loved farming and freedom so much that they forced enslaved people to farm and garden for them. hate those guys

[Bailey Bridgewater · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never been particularly interested in Revolutionary War history or the founding fathers (perhaps because of the problematic way they're invoked in modern politics), but I AM particularly interested in gardening and all things botanical, so I gave this book a go. I'm so glad I did. This book has completely changed the way I think about Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison through its vivid, well-researched discussion of their gardens, their farms, and the revelation that they were thoroughly exasperated by political life and just wanted to get back to their land. Of course, reading this book is also frustrating because it makes clear just how little America has changed in the way it sees nature and its national priorities. The handling of slavery in this book is a little clumsy, largely because it feels like the author and/or editors weren't quite sure how to handle it. Slavery itself isn't the focus of the book, but slaves were the ones actually doing most of the work at the plantations/farms of the founding fathers. The author does acknowledge that on and off throughout. In the last chapter there's what appears to be some "but they were treated really well" nonsense that is quickly rescinded as the author shows that Madison wanted it to APPEAR that slaves were treated well when in reality, they obviously weren't. The overall effect is that the author dances around the subject instead of addressing it fully at the beginning. Overall though, an excellent read for people who love agriculture - it makes this era in American history much more accessible to those of us who hate reading about wars.

[Brianna Melick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diving into the thoughts and politics of four very distinct characters in our nation's founding is incredibly difficult, especially when it comes to their gardens, which are all similar yet very different. James Madison, John Adams, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson are all men of the Enlightenment, sharing different ideals regarding politics, slavery, and the future of our nation. This book chronicles the early stages of the founding of the United States and how all four of these men have something in common. They are begrudgingly involved with politics and would all rather be spending their time at their estates in their gardens. Wulf has a fascinating way of combining the political elements with that of gardens and how they are all the same. During the long days in the presidency and sitting in Congress or even Washington at Valley Forge, they compare what they use the garden and plant metaphors when discussing it. At times it can be dry when going into detail on political issues. It all ties back in some form to plants and seeds and gardens. The last few chapters get into the nitty-gritty of the gardens at their estates and discuss the how's and why's behind what is chosen and what they look like.

Highly researched after spending months at each location and reading letters in the national archive, this book is a perfect read when diving into the presidential gardens for the first time. The book is about half narrative and half notes which are just as interesting as the narrative, and I highly recommend reading them all and using them for further reading.

[Kathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a number of first-time realizations during this book about Presidents Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison.

One was how absolutely vital botany was to the Founding Fathers, both to their lives and to their pride in America.

I was amazed at the time they spent—hours and hours, and sometimes weeks and weeks, visiting gardens wherever and whenever they traveled in Europe, then later in America itself. These men made opportunities to better discover, order, share, and ultimately grow seeds, plants, and trees. The Fathers shared the outcomes of their experiments—and sometimes the experiments themselves—usually through the young postal service with each other and many other farmers of their times.

Below is one tidbit of American history from Andrea Wulf’s vast research. This made me not only marvel at our first president, but also sorry for him, because Washington loved Mount Vernon and his time there almost beyond Wulf’s, or anyone else’s, telling.

“As perhaps the most famous and beloved man of his day, Washington had many, many visitors. People came to Mount Vernon from all over America as well as from other parts of the world. Almost all came uninvited. Eighteenth century hospitality demanded that George Washington entertain and feed everyone who journeyed to see him and Mrs. Washington. This he did from his own funds. So many people came that one and a half years after his return to Mt. Vernon, Washington wrote in amazement in his diary that he: “dined with only Mrs. Washington which I believe is the first instance of it since my retirement from public life.”

In less than twice that time, Washington would be dead. Two years and nine months is the total time he had to appreciate his retirement at Mt. Vernon before our first president died. Much of it he spent welcoming and yet again, serving the people of America.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes a convincing case that the founding fathers (specifically Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison) were, first and finally, gardeners more than they were statesmen. The 100+ pages of notes (on a 200-page text) citing their letters on gardening make the case. Washington, for example, wrote to his foreman at length from the battlefield to give him instructions for planting Mount Vernon. All four men retired from the presidency to become glorified agricultural workers. They all felt that America’s special place in history stemmed from its roots as an agrarian republic.

Jefferson and Adams, stuck in London negotiating unsuccessfully for favorable trade agreements, toured English gardens together. They discovered that the finest English gardens were full of American trees, acquired decades earlier. They returned home to undertake patriotic plantings of only American native species on their estates. Jefferson’s Anglophobia had him seeking ways to disrupt the sugar trade with Britain, mainly by encouraging planting of maples across the newly independent country. Unfortunately, maples in Virginia don’t get the cold conditions to reliably produce sap.

Jefferson is well known for his meticulous records of seeds, germination times, and yield. In fact he was more interested in testing out cultivars for use broadly in the U.S., rather than in producing food for his estate. Washington was more successful at the latter. Jefferson was also pretty bad at feeding and managing his slaves, who were, of course, the real ‘founding gardeners’ of the country. Of the Virginian presidents, only Madison, at Montpelier, fed, clothed, and lodged his slaves decently, in a ‘model slave village’ in the center of the estate that became a major attraction for his visitors. Marie Antoinette playing at milking comes to mind.

Adams farmed in Braintree, later Quincy, without slaves. He was in the garden with a shovel himself, and was particularly concerned with manure and compost.

This is American history with a unique and fascinating perspective: the garden obsessions of four presidents of import. Really well done.

[Meki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating account tracking the evolution of American politics and gardening / agrarian philosophy in the early years of the nation. The recognition and embrace of native plants by the Founding Fathers of America seems to have come full circle with the current revival of interest in native species.

The book describes some amazing natural resources and old growth forests documented by Lewis & Clark and celebrated by Jefferson et al. in the 1800s. To consider how none but a few exist two centuries later is mind boggling.

This well researched book is also an engaging intro to the geography and botany of a few different states of America. Lots of plant ideas and a list of gardens & natural wonders to visit as well.

[Judy Masters · Rating 5 out of 5]

To think this country had founding fathers that found joy, peace and American values in gardening seems almost far-fetched.
I found this book interesting as I know very little of the history of the Revolutionary period of this country. The book provides far more history than just gardening.
The connections to Great Britain made the collection of plants that were actually originally found in the United States by John Bartram almost a little humorous, except is still occurs today.
It would be nice to see people finding connection to the earth as fulfilling vs. technology. One can dream.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For students of the founding era, FOUNDING GARDENERS offers a compelling study of the connection between agrarian ideas and the creation of the republic, examining the enlightened interest in nature of four of its most important figures (Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison), including interesting portraits of the founders in their home gardens. The book is heavy on botanical detail, which can make for slow reading, at times.

[Cathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because of the cover. The writing was entertaining, and I learned so much. The author weaved history of the founding fathers with their botanical interests so well it read like a novel, and I felt enriched with the information.

[Daniela Valentina · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can the founding fathers’ gardens tell you about them and early America? According to Andrea Wulf everything! Taking what could be a dry topic, Wulf digs into the botanical side of history to show how the farms and gardens of each of the founding fathers were microcosms of how they wished to shape America. Washington, the reluctant general and post-war president, focuses on popularizing native species and developing a distinctly American farm. Jefferson loves the theory of planning an elaborate plantation but struggles with the practicality of turning a profit. Adams, the sole non-slave owner, works side by side with his wife on their small working farm. Hamilton, the banker tries and fails to harness the power of the waterfalls in Paterson New Jersey to create an industrial town.

Each of these men was deeply aware of how their actions would shape America for centuries to come and all of them found inspiration and solace in the land as they worked to build the nation. Did you know that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, when they were serving as ambassadors to England and France, once took an almost buddy comedy-like month-long tour of English gardens? Or that Jefferson’s Monticello is on top of a mountain with no natural water source? Or that Jethro Tull is not just the name of a band but an actual farmer who made significant breakthroughs in agriculture? I did not and this may be one of the reasons I found Founding Gardeners enjoyable. My main criticism of this work would be that it fails to meaningfully engage in what these relationships to the land mean along with the existence of slavery. I believe that Wulf tries to wade into the hypocritical nature of Washington and Jefferson’s plantations but to mixed success. By not taking any time to talk about how Jefferson used his “American Farmer” ideal to cement racial and class divides between blacks and whites, Wulf loses a vital and interesting part of her thesis.

Pick this up if you are looking for a quick travel read or an audiobook for commuting. Hamilton fans be prepared to be slightly distracted trying to figure out what songs would be taking place during different parts of the book.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story about the founding fathers through their passion for plants and gardens. It sheds a new light on US origins.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting view of the founding fathers.

[Bdalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Focused on Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Madison, this book explains how these founding fathers shared a love of gardening. The term gardening is used broadly and includes agricultural studies, botany, and environmental science.

Author Andrea Wulf provides an overview of key events in the United States after the American Revolution, connecting gardening to each. Lewis and Clark expedition- a chance to ship back to Jefferson the flora and fauna of the new territory. The battle between Jefferson and Hamilton? Largely about agricultural interests vs bankers and industrialists. The creation of Washington, D.C. - the desire to place the seat of power away from the corrupting power of cities and near agrarian interests.

This book is timely as it discusses how important topics like the environment and science were to the founding fathers. These were subjects that united rather than divided these men of different political persuasions. Nature was often used as a metaphor to describe political topics, usually with the goal of instilling pride and unity. These men, despite their preoccupation with getting a fledgling nation launched, loved their land.

There is something very comforting in these troubled times to read about men who gave up power to garden.

[Piedad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I completely enjoyed this book. It tranported me to early american history and frankly was surprised by how very important botany was to the intellect of the founding fathers. In botany they found peace, ideas, philosophy, economic reform, exploration, revolution, independance and pure joy. I had taken for granted the enormous diversity of plants available to us now at the click of a mouse or a trip to homedepot, back then that was not the case. The treasures that the colonies, later early independent country, to further exploration of this country, is clearly the abundance of plants, we have such abundance . Gardening is the most basic of how we should see life in general. Nature is a universtiy. This book will fill you with patriotic fever and an urge to work on your garden.