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.
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.
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.