Early Texas Homestead Gardens
“If you were looking for where a home was located on a given piece of property, would you know what to look for? Certainly a run-down building or broken fence line would be a clue. Maybe there would be a chimney left from a house. Or, there might be a filled-in well hole as a clue where the house was. Maybe you have information in an old letter or journal about the placement of a house or barn. Perhaps if you dug down a bit in a certain location you might find part of a stone foundation. But, did you ever think to look for the remnants of a flower garden, kitchen garden or orchard? Would you know what plants to look for that might have survived many years of neglect, drought or flood?
Knowing what plants were grown in and around the homesteads and communities in the various parts of Texas would definitely help you in your search. By learning about the plants people grew in their flower beds, as vines up a porch post or as introduced shrubs or shade trees can help you locate a house on a piece of property. “
The booklet, Early Texas Homestead Gardens, contains the pictures and information on the plants mentioned in my presentation on Early Texas Homestead Gardens.
Purchase the PDF digital book for download or to print out.
$7.99
If you have any problems with the download, please call, text or email me!
Phone and Text: 361-258-1192
ABOUT THE PRESENTATION:
My talk on Early Texas Homestead Gardens is appropriate for garden clubs, genealogy and historical groups.
The Presentation will introduce people to the plants grown on early homesteads in various areas of Texas. Discussion includes the diverse plants grown by settlers and which of those plants were likely to survive until today.
From the earliest homesteaders in the early to middle 1700’s through the late 1800’s and beyond, Texas settlers loved their gardens and tended them as best they could amid the harsh realities of homesteading. Many of the tough, tenacious plants grown in early Texas have survived to give us clues where homes and other buildings were located on a given piece of property.
Restoring gardens and landscapes around historic homes is a popular endeavor. If one lives in the mid-Atlantic states, New England or even the ante-bellum deep South, there is much information to help design a historic garden. But, when it comes to Texas, the information is sketchy and difficult to find. My presentation will aid those looking to find buildings on homesteads through horticulture as well as those looking to enhance the historic value of a home or farmhouse.
The Presentation contains a visual program of the plants discussed and includes ideas for those wishing to restore gardens and landscapes around historic homes. Handouts include plant lists, resources and bibliography for further study by participants.
If you’re interested in the Early Texas Homestead Gardens program, please contact me via phone, text or email.
phone and text: 361-258-1192
email: cindy@theherbcottage.com