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Carol J. Michel

Award winner author of gardening humor books

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Loudon’s Rules of Horticulture

March 25, 2011 By Carol Michel 8 Comments

Before I become too engrossed in spring gardening activities, (if it is possible to become too engrossed in gardening, and I don’t think it is) may I present one more treasure that I brought up from the rabbit hole of old gardening books.

Loudon’s Rules of Horticulture

(Who is Loudon? I believe he is John Claudius Loudon, a Scottish horticulturist from the early 1800’s.)

Without further ado, and restraining from adding my own comments, I present.

Loudon’s Rules of Horticulture

(Do these rules apply yet today? Well for the most part, though I think we are less diligent in picking bugs off plants – see rule no. 7.)

Here now for your enjoyment and education, I present

Loudon’s Rules of Horticulture

(Is this the last treasure for this season from that rabbit hole of old gardening books? No, I still have quite a bit of information to share about Ida Dandridge Bennett.)

And now, the latest in an occasional series of gleanings from old gardening books, I present.

Loudon’s Rules of Horticulture

Oops, I forgot to note that I got these rules from The Horticulturist’s Rule-Book by L. H. Bailey (1895)

Finally, as promised, advertised, and promoted…

Loudon’s Rules of Horticulture

1 Perform every operation in the proper season and in the best manner.

2 Complete every operation consecutively.

3 Never if possible perform one operation in such a manner as to render another necessary.

4 When called off from any operation leave your work and tools in an orderly manner.

5 In leaving off work make a temporary finish and clean your tools and carry them to the tool house.

6 Never do that in the garden or hothouses which can be equally well done in the reserve ground or in the back sheds.

7 Never pass a weed or an insect without pulling it up or taking it off unless time forbid.

8 In gathering a crop take away the useless as well as the useful parts.

9 Let no plant ripen seeds unless they are wanted for some purpose useful or ornamental and remove all parts which are in a state of decay.

(I would have made it a complete ten list of rules. Hmmmm… what should that tenth rule be?)

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: books, gardening

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp says

    March 25, 2011 at 11:22 am

    10. Try not to have too many rules of work and enjoy your time in the garden.

    Reply
  2. Lisa at Greenbow says

    March 25, 2011 at 11:41 am

    10. Make sure there is no bird do-do on the benches so you can relax and enjoy all that work.

    Reply
  3. Gail says

    March 25, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    10. Never take rules and guidelines so seriously~that they impede your enjoyment of gardening.

    Reply
  4. growingagardenindavis says

    March 25, 2011 at 2:29 pm

    Oh for a hot house or back shed! I have a long way to go to live up to some of those rules.

    Reply
  5. Mr. McGregor's Daughter says

    March 25, 2011 at 3:11 pm

    10. Secure help when needed before performing an operation?
    Rule #1 conflicts awfully with our GADS impulses.

    Reply
  6. Kathy says

    March 25, 2011 at 9:44 pm

    I think there is a lot of wiggle room in number one. What if you don't know what the proper season is or the best manner? If I followed this rule I would be paralyzed pondering these questions.

    Reply
  7. Patsy Bell Hobson says

    March 25, 2011 at 11:10 pm

    All gardens of merit shall have benches for resbite and adoration of horticultural acheivements

    Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    March 29, 2011 at 7:38 pm

    Yeah, I'll get right on that.

    Deirdre

    Reply

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