Seeds Across Oceans – Washington’s Noble Stewardship

June’s warmth and longer days are bringing the Revolutionary Era Garden at the Transylvania Heritage Museum into growth. Last month, we planted Beans and Squash in the Three Sisters mound, and they are growing nicely. The Provision Garden’s onions are bulking up nicely, the peas are producing sweet pods, and the lettuce, kale, and cabbage planted in April are ready for harvest. Our dedicated volunteers continue to keep everything watered and tended through the busy early-summer weeks.

In preparation for our June program, we are getting ready to plant Okra — a crop with deep roots in American history. According to a powerful story passed down through generations, enslaved African women braided okra seeds into their hair before the brutal Middle Passage. This quiet act of courage and hope allowed them to carry a vital piece of home and survival across the ocean. Once in America, these same seeds were planted in small provision garden plots, sustaining families and preserving cultural knowledge. Okra quickly became an important part of the Provision Garden and Southern foodways.

George Washington, our nation’s first president and a lifelong student of the land, declared, “It will not be doubted that with reference either to individual or national welfare, agriculture is of primary importance, most healthful, most useful, and most noble employment of man.” He collected seeds and plants from all places and carefully experimented with them at Mount Vernon. There, he practiced soil conservation, developed innovative farming methods, and maintained detailed records, always seeking to improve both yield and stewardship of the earth. His spirit of observation and improvement continues to inspire us today.

This June, we honor that legacy by planting Okra together and remembering the contributions of enslaved Africans who brought both seeds and agricultural expertise that helped shape early American gardens and tables.

Join us for the June Garden Program on Saturday, June 20th, as we plant Okra, share stories of its journey from Africa to America, and explore George Washington’s innovative practices at Mount Vernon. Expect hands-on gardening, engaging discussion, and a welcoming session for all ages. Please let us know in advance if you’re bringing a group so we can prepare accordingly.

June reminds us that growth often comes from seeds carried across oceans and generations, and that thoughtful cultivation — of both land and knowledge — yields far more than a single harvest. If you haven’t visited the garden yet this season, June is a beautiful time to stop by and watch it flourish.