Thomas Jefferson's birthdate recalls visiting Monticello, considered a Lab for Plants. We chat about the fascinating history of the plantation and Jefferson's Garden Book, which is filled with trials and tribulations. One is his remarkable Castor Bean Plants. 

We chat about Castor Bean Plants overcoming the concern of toxicity in the garden and how I used them to "Hide Uglies."  

The episode wraps up with a reflection on Thomas Jefferson's self-written epitaph, which suggests a sense of self-awareness and perhaps shame for offenses and imperfections. May we learn from history rather than erase or ignore it so that we continue to become better than we used to be.

Related Stories and Helpful Links:  

Jefferson's Monticello Lab for Plants – Blog Post

 Castor Bean Plants Hide Uglies – Blog Post 

Episode 29 Aphid Invasion - Beneficial Ladybugs

Beneficial Ladybugs – Blog Post

 Reasons to Prune – Blog Post

 8888

 I'd love to hear your garden and nature stories and your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at [email protected]. Thanks so much for tuning in.

 You can Follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone.

Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

 Thank you for sharing the Garden of Life,

Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer

                                        AskMaryStone.com

More about the Podcast and Column:

Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.

It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page