Gardening Books


Growing Perennial Foods: A Field Guide to Raising Resilient Herbs, Fruits & Vegetables, by Acadia Tucker – Book Review


You may think of perennials as ornamental, but this book guides you through the process of planting and harvesting perennial foods. Great for new and experienced gardeners alike, "Growing Perennial Foods" is worth the purchase for the recipes alone. The book starts with a short primer on general gardening topics, including composting, mulching, planting, pruning, and fertilizing, as well as watering, supporting plants, and pest management. That's followed by individual plant profiles for a wide Continue Reading


Mini Meadows: Grow a Little Patch of Colorful Flowers Anywhere in Your Yard, by Mike Lizotte – Book Review


Mini Meadows is a short but fun read, with beautiful photos to complement the text. It’s well organized and written in a conversational style that makes it very accessible. It is a basic book, but inspiring, especially for those to whom gardening is new. And although there’s a lot of information presented, it’s not overwhelming. Continue Reading


Gardening with Emma: Grow and Have Fun: A Kid-to-Kid Guide, by Emma Biggs – Book Review


12-year old author Emma Biggs intended this book to be a “Kid-to-Kid Guide,” featuring fun photography, appealing illustrations and no-nonsense advice. But whether you are young or old, new to gardening or very experienced, you will learn from and enjoy the gardening journey Emma has created. She does an excellent job reminding all of us why we garden – for the fun of it. But perhaps the biggest gift Emma gives with this book is Continue Reading


The Plant Listener, by Julie C. Kilpatrick – Book Review


“Plants are talking to us every day …. All we have to do is learn how to listen.” With that, Julie C. Kilpatrick takes us on a journey of discovery, showing us how plants have evolved and, given that, how best to care for them. There are no photographs or other images, but her words and explanations are clear (and sometimes humorous). The Plant Listener is a small book with a big story and I Continue Reading


Vegetables Love Flowers: Companion Planting For Beauty and Bounty, by Lisa Mason Ziegler – Book Review


This book is a combination love story, horticultural adventure, homestead preservation, and how-to about the triumphs and challenges of gardening from a veteran cut flower grower. It’s filled with colorful, high-resolution photography, appendices of garden plans, and a layman’s explanation of how and why nature works in sync with flowers and vegetables to reduce and eliminate the need for chemical intervention in the garden. I’ve put many of the recommendations to work in my own Continue Reading


The Guide To Humane Critter Control: Natural, Nontoxic Pest Solutions To Protect Your Yard And Garden by Theresa Rooney – Book Review


Theresa Rooney’s Guide to Humane Critter Control is filled with practical, pesticide-free ideas about how to prevent, or stop, annoying bugs and small mammals from damaging your garden. It’s a book that should be at the fingertips of novice gardeners, as well as more experienced gardeners who want to transition from the knee-jerk use of poisons to more eco-friendly methods. Expert gardeners may not find much new here, but it’s a nice refresher course. Continue Reading


‘Success With Hydrangeas, A Gardeners Guide’ by Lorraine Ballato – Book Review


This is an excellent book, both for the novice and the experienced gardener. It covers everything you need to know about successfully growing hydrangeas, including identification, care (fertilizing, watering, mulching and transplanting), handling insect and disease problems, and using hydrangeas in the garden. With beautiful photographs and well-organized, clear information it can be used a reference book when you have a specific problem or need specific information. Continue Reading


The Homeowner’s Complete Tree & Shrub Handbook – Book Review


While this book isn't a new release, it's a timeless resource for anyone interested in using more trees and/or shrubs on their property. It covers all the bases, from design considerations to choosing the right plant for the right spot to caring for your trees and shrubs after planting. Plus, there's a beautifully photographed dictionary of trees and shrubs that will have you eager to try new varieties in your own yard. Continue Reading