• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Carol J. Michel

Award winner author of gardening humor books

  • About
    • Contact
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Shop
    • Gardening Humor
    • Children’s Books
    • New – The Halloween Hare
  • Social
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
  • The Gardenangelists Podcast
  • Gardening Humor
  • Children’s
  • All Books

May Dreams Gardens

More 100 Year Old Advice from Ida D. Bennett

January 7, 2011 By Carol Michel 15 Comments

I’ve been continuing to read bits and pieces of The Flower Garden by Ida D. Bennett, published in 1910.

After I posted Bennett’s seed buying advice, the genealogy detective gardener, Annie in Austin, did some searches and found some more information about our Ms. Bennett:

” … looks like she was a Michigan girl (although her parents were born in New York State). She shows up on several US Census records for Michigan, living at 480 Grand Street in Coldwater, first with her parents & siblings, later with widowed mother, and last one I found was in 1920 as ‘Head of Household’, occupation entered as writer for magazines. And very cool – in 1903 Ida invented and patented a removable window-shelf for window gardens! Bet we would have liked her.”

Yes, Annie, I do like her and I like that she included “A Chapter of Don’ts“, chapter 24, in her book, The Flower Garden.

Some of these “don’ts” are still useful today, I think. See if you agree…

“Don’t try to follow all the advice that is offered you; make up your mind what you want to do an go steadily ahead. If you fail you will know how, and why, which is in itself a distinct gain. It is a good rule never to take the advice of an unsuccessful person, no matter how reasonable it sounds. Distrust garrulous advice; the gardener with real knowledge is not inclined to force advice on others.”

“Don’t be cast down be adverse criticism unless your judgment tells you it is deserved. The person who “knows it all” is never so much at home as in some one else’s flower-garden, where the principal labour may be done with the tongue.”

Did you catch that last sentence? Know anyone who likes to come to your garden and tell you what you should be doing, but never offers to pick up a hoe and help you do it?

Don’t be too deeply impressed with the sudden friendship at gardening time of the woman who has managed to get along without your society all winter. Don’t be imposed upon by the chronic plant-beggar, but suggest to her that you will be glad to lend your catalogues…”

You mean someone might pretend to like me to get plants from me?

Don’t, on the other hand, be lacking in generosity of the right sort. Flowers may be given to rich and poor alike, and carry no hint of obligation, or unfitness.”

To that I say, yes, and I would add that the most generous people I know are gardeners.

Don’t be too greatly cast down by failures; they have their uses.  One failure, if it sets you to studying out the cause and remedy, is worth a dozen haphazard successes.

Though, I’ll admit, I like to have at least a dozen haphazard successes for each failure.

Don’t try to work in unsuitable clothing. Easy, broad, solid shoes — not any old run-down pair– should be considered as essential as a spade, or rake, and skirts that clear the instep, and hang comfortably.

I’ll skip the skirt advice, but she’s right about shoes. When someone actually buys a new pair of shoes just to wear in the garden, that’s the day they finally admit to themselves that they really are a gardener.

And finally,

“Don’t fail to take some good floral magazines, they are helpful in many ways, and keep you in touch with what other workers are doing.”

The 21st century version of that advice, 100 years later…

“Don’t fail to take up with some good garden bloggers, they are helpful in many ways…”

Thank you, Ida D. Bennett, for some good advice and good reading on a cold wintry night.

(Oh, the flower pictured above is a passalong Christmas cactus given to me several years ago.  Remember that other rule, don’t thank people when they give you plants, or the plants won’t grow. Instead say something like “I’ll give it great care…”) 

(More information on Ida D. Bennett. I’ve determined she was born in 1860 and died in 1925. Her middle name was Dandridge.)

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: books, gardening

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Houston Garden Girl says

    January 7, 2011 at 5:06 am

    Love it! You've inspired me to go check out our 1/4 price book store, I've heard they have very old and interesting books. Maybe I can find a gardening treasure there.

    Reply
  2. Lisa at Greenbow says

    January 7, 2011 at 8:49 am

    It is amazing how some advise is good no matter how old it appears to be. Ida is certainly someone I would like to get to know a little better.

    Reply
  3. Darla says

    January 7, 2011 at 11:48 am

    This is advice is spot on!!!

    Reply
  4. Gatsbys Gardens says

    January 7, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    I do try to listen to the garden bloggers, not being one that turns down good advice.

    Eileen

    Reply
  5. Anonymous says

    January 7, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    True words that stand the test of time, Carol.

    Reply
  6. Commonweeder says

    January 7, 2011 at 1:17 pm

    Just shows that wisdom – and wit – were not invented ten years ago.

    Reply
  7. Eliza @ Appalachian Feet says

    January 7, 2011 at 2:37 pm

    I love your addition of not failing to take up with other garden bloggers! The book you found sounds delightful. I couldn't help laughing about plant beggars, insistent advice, and skirts that clear the instep. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Jenna Gayle says

    January 7, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    Very good advice! I have a neighbor that fits in the "know it all" category… on everything!! Drives me crazy! I just shake my head and think "well, where's your _____ at?!?" LOL

    Reply
  9. Janet/Plantaliscious says

    January 7, 2011 at 4:47 pm

    Some things really don't change! I'm lucky in that so far no one pretends to like me just to get plants and no one is offering endless criticism of my garden or gardening. Long may it continue, and three cheers for the wonderfully supportive, educational, amusing and encouraging world of garden blogging!

    Reply
  10. Theresa says

    January 7, 2011 at 5:07 pm

    Hello, I am a new reader to your blog. I love your sense of humor. You caught my attention with your quotes from Ida Bennet. I will search for a copy of her book. I am a gardener in Coldwater, MI. My Garden Club would love to know there is a local published garden author who still has great advice for us.

    Reply
  11. Gail says

    January 7, 2011 at 8:14 pm

    carol, What a treasure Ida D. Bennett is~I would very much like to have lived near her garden. Thank you for sharing. gail

    Reply
  12. Kelly (The Sorry Gardener) says

    January 7, 2011 at 8:47 pm

    Now see, if Ida had been thinking, she'd have pawned off some of her extra seeds on the woman who was trying to get free plants from her. Great couple of posts, Carol.

    Reply
  13. Annie in Austin says

    January 7, 2011 at 10:45 pm

    Ida Bennett gives us hilarious insight into human nature & gardening – doesn't she, Carol? I'm glad you liked the genealogy stuff.

    Must say, "skirts that clear the instep, and hang comfortably" works for those of us who somehow find ourselves wandering around in nightgowns & robes.

    And wow to having a reader in Coldwater, Michigan!!

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

    Reply
  14. Pam's English Garden says

    January 8, 2011 at 12:52 am

    Dear Carol, What a delightful book! I love her statement, "the gardener with real knowledge is not inclined to force advice on others."

    Incidentally, I didn't know you shouldn't thank someone for a plant gift … is that why the poinsettia I was recently given died?

    Wishing you a happy and healthy gardening year! P x

    Reply
  15. Dee Nash says

    January 9, 2011 at 2:42 am

    She's a smart woman, that Miss Ida. I'm sorry I missed these posts till now. I love the parts about the tongue wagging critique. That could be applied to so many things.~~Dee

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Updates from Carol Michel

* indicates required
Email Preferences

Categories

  • Blog (3,053)
  • Internal (2)

Blog Tags

annuals Blogging books bulbs dr. hortfreud embrace fairies fall family flowers fruits garden bloggers bloom day garden bloggers book club garden design gardeners gardening gardening geek gardens hoes holidays hortense hoelove houseplants humor indoor gardening insects lawn letters to gardening friends perennials rabbits reviews Secrets seeds shrubs spring tools trees vegetable garden vegetable gardening vegetables weather weeding weeds when a gardener wildflower wednesday winter

The Gardenangelists Podcast with Dee Nash

Gardenangelists Podcast

Footer

Gardenangelists Podcast with Dee Nash

Gardenangelists Podcast

Connect

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • maydreams icon

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Contact
  • Books
  • May Dreams Gardens
  • Podcast

Updates from Carol Michel

* indicates required
Email Preferences

Newsletter Archive

Copyright © 2023 · CarolJMichel.com · Sitemap · Privacy Policy

Book purchase links are affiliate links and Carol earns a small commission if you make a purchase.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT