Fruit Gardens

Jefferson’s large, eight-acre Fruit Gardens on the south side of Monticello Mountain enabled him to sample "the precious refreshment" of its produce while also serving as part of his garden laboratory, where he experimented with over 150 varieties of 31 of the finest temperate species of fruit. The North Orchard, on the other side of the "little mountain," was reserved for only three varieties of cider apple and peaches grown from seed. 

Both the Monticello fruitery — including the South Orchard, “berry squares”, vineyard, and plant nurseries — and the 400-tree North Orchard reflected the two distinct forms of fruit growing that emerged in eighteenth-century Virginia.  

The North Orchard was typical of the "Field" or "Farm" orchards found on most middle-class farms. The fruit was harvested for cider, brandy, or as livestock feed. The trees in these utilitarian orchards were often propagated from seed, resulting in unpredictable variations and a limited number of named varieties. As a result, the orchard received little horticultural attention, such as pruning or pest control. 

On the other hand, Monticello’s Fruitery resembled a gentleman's fruit farm in the European horticultural tradition. It was also similar to the diverse recreational plantings of other wealthy Virginians, such as George Washington. The trees, often purchased from commercial nurseries, were grafted and included a wide range of European varieties and unusual species, such as apricots and almonds. Fruit trees were mixed with small fruits and berries, sometimes vegetables, and even ornamental plants. The fancy fruit was often tended by trained gardeners guided by the directions of English and French writers. Like Jefferson himself, Monticello’s orchards represented the best of the European heritage combined with a distinctive New World vitality and personality. 

Although not elevated enough to cause general climatic changes, Monticello is high enough (867 feet) that, during the spring and fall, as cold air settles in the bottomlands, the warmer air rises over the mountain, helping to prevent frost damage to the trees. The Fruitery's southeastern exposure was a crucial factor in determining which species could be successfully grown. Tender trees, such as almonds and pomegranates, and fruits suited to a warm, sunny environment, like peaches and grapes, were ideal for such a setting. On the other hand, pears, apples, European plums, gooseberries, and currants suffered from the artificial climate that resembled a site hundreds of miles to the south. This partly explains why the sun-loving peach was Jefferson's favorite tree and why he was only successful in growing apple varieties acclimated to the South.  

Although not elevated enough for general climatic changes, Monticello is high enough (867 feet) that, during the spring and fall months as cold air settles in the bottomlands, the warmer air rises over the mountain -- effectively preventing frost damage to blooming trees.

Jefferson was especially attentive to the dates of the first spring frost, and one senses him gloat when describing how his lowland neighbors had lost their fruit while his remained unscathed. The Fruitery's southeastern exposure was a crucial factor in determining which species could be successfully grown. Tender trees -- almonds and pomegranates -- and fruits friendly to a warm, sunny environment like peaches and grapes were ideal for such a setting. On the other hand, pears, apples, European plums, gooseberries, and currants suffered from the artificial climate that resembled a site hundreds of miles to the south. This partly explains why the sun-loving peach was Jefferson's favorite tree and why he was only successful in growing apple varieties acclimated to the South. Hillside orchards were common in eighteenth-century Virginia because rich bottomland was reserved for more profitable crops like tobacco.