Jefferson’s agricultural pursuits were as integral to his life as breath itself, and Monticello remains as flourishing proof of this erudite man’s limitless enthusiasm for cultivating new and exotic varieties of plants. His architectural design skills are not only on display in his iconic neoclassical mansion but also in the winding walkway of the West Lawn, the oval flower beds, and the precise rows of the gardens. His meticulous record keeping—a precursor of today’s spreadsheet—shows detailed accounts of both successes and failures. Through the years, the ever-curious agronomist planted hundreds of varieties of flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
