6 Plants Thomas Jefferson Grew That You Can Grow Today

Ready to add a bit of Jefferson’s influence to your garden? Start small by sowing a few of his favorite seeds in your plots. You can purchase seeds for the following varieties at monticelloshop.org.

“Tennis Ball” Lettuce

Jefferson advised sowing a thimble full of lettuce seed every Monday. He touted “Tennis Ball” among his favorites because “it does not require so much care and attention” as other types.

Related Recipe: Strawberry, Mozzarella and Walnut Salad

West Indian Gherkin

Jefferson’s home in Washington, D.C., had a pickle barrel for guests, and the gherkin, grown at Monticello, was included among these delicacies.

English Peas

Always up for a healthy competition, Jefferson and his neighboring farmers competed to see who would be the first to harvest peas in spring.

Related Recipe: Minty Peas

Purple Calabash Tomatoes

In Jefferson’s day, many regarded tomato plants as poisonous, but he was one of the first to plant them. He had a fondness for Calabashes, which are a ribbed and scalloped variety that work well in pastes and sauces.

Related Recipe: Fresh Ricotta Tomato Salad

Okra

Jefferson edged his tomato garden with okra, perhaps provoking the idea of cooking the two vegetables together for a savory dish.

Related Recipe: Okra Oven Fries

Sesame Seed

Jefferson used these seeds to create salad oil and proclaimed them “among the most valuable acquisitions our country has ever made.” Due to their ornamental nature, he often planted them as a border to his garden.