A Tour of Jefferson's Monticello Gardens With Historian Peter Hatch

by SeasonalWisdom

Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States, author of the Declaration of Independence and father of the University of Virginia. But in his heart, he was a gardener.
Few know this better than Peter Hatch, who for nearly 35 years maintained, interpreted and restored the 2,400 acre landscape at Jefferson’s Monticello. Recently, Seasonal Wisdom met the renowned historian — a month before he retired — to discuss the gardens, his new book and why Jefferson was our nation’s first foodie. Take a peek…

a tour of jefferson s monticello gardens with historian peter hatch, flowers, gardening, Thomas Jefferson was so proud of his kitchen garden at Monticello he used the term garden exclusively for his vegetable garden not his flower beds

Thomas Jefferson was so proud of his kitchen garden at Monticello, he used the term “garden” exclusively for his vegetable garden, not his flower beds.

a tour of jefferson s monticello gardens with historian peter hatch, flowers, gardening, Thomas Jefferson documented growing 330 varieties of 99 species of vegetables at Monticello including native seeds discovered on the Lewis and Clark exhibition

Thomas Jefferson documented growing 330 varieties of 99 species of vegetables at Monticello, including native seeds discovered on the Lewis and Clark exhibition.

a tour of jefferson s monticello gardens with historian peter hatch, flowers, gardening, Learn how Thomas Jefferson the third president of the United States was one of our first foodies He introduced many foods to America

Learn how Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, was one of our first foodies. He introduced many foods to America.

a tour of jefferson s monticello gardens with historian peter hatch, flowers, gardening, Freshly caught fish from nearby streams stayed in this pond near the house until they were ready to be enjoyed at the dinner table

Freshly caught fish from nearby streams stayed in this pond near the house, until they were ready to be enjoyed at the dinner table.

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2 of 9 comments

SeasonalWisdom on Jun 25, 2013
You will love it @A Nest for All Seasons, but you know I love Mt. Vernon too. I'm a big fan of those Colonial Revival gardens, and I feel in love with Washington's Kitchen Garden. I'll post some stories from there too. Who knew that Washington and Jefferson were America's first foodies?!

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CindyLeeand Ferguson on Jun 29, 2013
How I would love to stroll through these gardens, with a basket on my arm for picking.

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