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Welcome to John’s Almanac

John Coykendall, master gardener for Blackberry Farm, shares gardening wisdom he’s gathered through years of hands-in-the-dirt experience.
Portrait of John Coykendall, master gardener for Blackberry Farm.

Photo by David Hillegas

I first visited Blackberry Farm, tucked in the foothills of the Tennessee Smoky Mountains, over the New Year’s holiday in 2009. The trip included all the Farm has to offer—a bucolic setting, wonderful dining, impeccable service, and exceptional hospitality with every possible need or want anticipated. A highlight of that stay was spending the day with John Coykendall, the Farm’s master gardener. At the time, I had no idea of the permanent imprint that experience would leave on me, but 15 years later, I still believe wholeheartedly that he is a bright soul on this earth. I was blessed to have the opportunity to soak in his wisdom and experience—both in the garden and in life.

Two hands holding kernels.

Photo by Artisanal Aperture

An advocate for saving and sharing heirloom seeds, John authored a book on the subject titled PRESERVING OUR ROOTS (LSU Press, 2019).

John doesn’t have a cell phone. He doesn’t answer to the same demands this world makes on most of us. He marches to the beat of his own drum and follows the rhythms of the seasons. John plans for the future and passionately learns from the past, but he resides thoroughly in the present. He’s not easily distracted, and when he chooses to take up a conversation with you, he’s in it completely. His words and his actions are heavily influenced by tradition and history, but he’s just as quick with a joke and always ready for a good laugh.

That January day, I sat alongside John and harvested seeds. I have no recollection of the type, but I do recall the anticipation and hope for what ultimately would emerge from them. We discussed upcoming plantings at the Farm and some of his favorite crops to grow. When I confessed my own experience with gardening was limited, his enthusiasm didn’t dampen a bit—he was excited about my potential and encouraged me, instilling a confidence I hadn’t yet earned. We spoke of my grandfather’s gardens and how much we both loved the lingering smell of tomato vines. He drew diagrams showing me exactly what to plant, where to plant, and when. He even shared seeds with me, labeling each in his distinctive handwriting.

“I am thankful that my children have grown up in an environment where they could run over to the garden, interact with John, pick vegetables straight from the ground, and embrace the enchantments of simpler times.”

—MARY CELESTE BEALL, OWNER OF BLACKBERRY FARM

A grey cat sits in an open window.

Photo by David Hillegas

Hyssop enjoys his own respite on a windowsill.

Pages of notes and drawings in a sketchpad

Photo by Sarah Rau

John has been keeping meticulous garden notes and sketches for decades.

As I write this, many a moon later, I look outside my rear windows over the dream garden I am currently creating and building. The time has finally come to put to good use the ideas, knowledge, and encouragement from John, and it was worth the wait. For admittedly selfish reasons, I imagined a way to continue to learn and grow from his wealth of experience, and it’s one I’m excited to share with FLOWER readers. Over the course of this year, John will create a seasonal guidebook, what I envision will become a step-by-step guide to growing a perfectly imperfect garden. I believe it will help all of us to become our own best versions of a backyard farmer. The act of gardening teaches us some of life’s greatest lessons—the need for patience, hard work, and optimism—and I can’t think of a better instructor to lead us down that path. We’ll try and possibly fail, try again and hopefully succeed, and unearth some of his wit and wisdom along the way. Welcome to John’s Almanac.

JOHN’S ALMANAC for 2025

 

January/Feburary: Planning and Preparing Your Garden

March/April: Companion Planting – Coming Soon!

 

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