Prescott Farm Garden
Prescott Farm’s landscape is typical of rural Aquidneck Island in the 18th and 19th centuries, with gentle sloping land, good soil, fields lined with stonewalls, and areas of scrub trees and brush. The farm is fortunate to have water on the property in the form of a brook and two small ponds, manifestly desirable in a “country seat” for a wealthy colonial gentleman.
Prescott Farm’s kitchen and herb gardens are living laboratories that showcase period horticulture as well as contemporary gardening practices. The plant varieties grown in the gardens represent what many Aquidneck Islanders may have used for food, medicine and other utilitarian purposes in the colonial era. Although certain design features evoke the historic time period, the gardens are maintained using 21st century sustainable techniques. Organic pest control and natural fertilizers, ample compost and mulch, as well as plenty of hands-on labor create this magnificent scene with delicious results.
The gardens are run by a dedicated team of Master Gardeners who give generously of their hard work and expertise. This partnership with the URI Master Gardeners program is a valuable contribution to the Prescott Farm educational experience, providing participatory learning opportunities for Master Gardeners and the general public.
Learn more
Several articles, websites, and other resources on period gardening and organic practices can be found on NRF’s Resources Page.
