Mount Vernon near Alexandria in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Fruit Garden
"For every acre , an Apple tree of good grafted fruit is to be planted on the premises, in a regular orchard truly laid out in rows forty feet apart Between w[hi]ch, (also in regular order) rows of peach trees "
George Washington, February 1, 1796
George Washington established a fruit garden here shortly after the Revolutionary War. He filled it with apples, peaches, pears, cherries, and plums moved from his other gardens and acquired from neighbors and friends. The name "fruit garden" means that the fruit was intended for use in the kitchen rather than for cider-making or for food for livestock.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Horticulture & Forestry. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 1, 1796.
Location. 38° 42.428′ N, 77° 5.276′ W. Marker is near Alexandria, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is in Mount Vernon. It can be reached from George Washington Memorial Parkway east of Mount Vernon Memorial Highway (Virginia Route 235), on the right when traveling
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fence and Ditch (within shouting distance of this marker); Nursery Beds (within shouting distance of this marker); Seed Beds (within shouting distance of this marker); Powel Coach (within shouting distance of this marker); Peter Hardiman and Family (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Horses (about 300 feet away); Slavery at Mount Vernon (about 300 feet away); Fruit Garden and Nursery
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 250 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 26, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
