This evening I was able to attend a lecture given by Peter Hatch about Thomas Jefferson’s vegetable garden at Monticello. Peter served as the director of gardens and grounds at Monticello for 35 years. After arriving there in 1977, he helped restore the gardens to their original, grand state with the aid of Jefferson’s meticulous garden and land survey notes and drawings.

Thomas Jefferson referred to the 8 acre vegetable garden as his “retirement garden.” The 1,000 ft long terrace was carved out of the side of a hill and overlooked a fruit orchard and berry patches. This unique location allowed year-around growing since it created a type of microclimate.

Within the vegetable garden, Jefferson planted according to which part of the plant was to be harvested. He kept a garden journal with detailed notes on when vegetables were planted, sprouted, blossomed, and bore fruit. From the slides we were shown of this journal, one could also see the word “failed” written in many columns. This did not seem to discourage him.

The vegetable garden became a type of “Ellis Island” for new and experimental plants from all parts of the world. Jefferson used the garden as a type of laboratory. He often grew vegetables not easily found elsewhere like potatoes, tomatoes, okra, pattypan squash, and peppers. He would document life cycles of garden pests and how the insects affected the plants. Jefferson’s Garden Book is available for browsing on the Massachusettes Historical Society’s website.