As I've said before, I don't expect all of you to get excited about reading about gardening! But do take the opportunity this winter to learn about a topic that you do get excited about! I am a huge fan of continuing education and with easily accessible libraries, none of us have an excuse to not pick up a book, be it on history, or nutrition, or finances, or our Bible (that should have been listed first!) and learn something new!
In random order, here are some of the gardening books I've enjoyed. I'm not saying they are the best available on the subject, since I've only read a small fraction of the books printed! Some of these I've pored over since a teenager, and others I've read only this past year. But each one added to my gardening knowledge and were books that I plan to visit again.
by Dick RaymondAn oldie but goodie! I've been paging through this book for as long as I can remember! With clear photographs, Raymond shares details on about every facet of vegetable gardening. He was a pioneer in using cover crops as “green manure”. Composting, seed starting, wide row planting, and specifics for growing many vegetables are found in this large book. It may be the book I turn to most often!
This book has become a garden classic and it is simple to see why. In one small volume is packed a large amount of garden wisdom. In an easy to find alphabetical layout, the author specifies many different garden plants from vegetables, flowers, and trees and what each one likes best. She particularly spells out what plants are best to grow near each other, because of the pests they attract or detract and other factors. If the key to successful gardening is giving each plant what they prefer to grow their best, this book is a valuable resource!
If you have children in your life and even a small plot of land or pot of soil available, read this book! Lovejoy enthusiastically shares plans and tips for gardening with children. Twelve detailed plans for simple gardens that children would love such as a sunflower house, bean tunnel, and flower maze. Interspersed is many simple projects to allow children to experience the wonder of growing things! I liked the section on gardening basics. With it's simple explanations on things such as soil PH, it would be good for any beginning gardener, whatever their age! Lovejoy's charming watercolors are just icing on the cake and if you enjoy this book, look for her other books. In fact, I'll just need mention another favorite...
This Lovejoy book is packed with a lifetime of garden tips! Especially for someone who is attempting to garden organically, this is an invaluable resource. I started reading this book with pen and paper in attempt to write down things I wanted to remember, since I was reading a library copy. Within a few pages it became evident that there was far to much to take note of and I'd just need to add this book to my wish list! House plants, garden pests, seed starting, compost...when it comes to growing plants, this book doesn't miss anything! With Lovejoy's lovely illustrations, Trowel and Error is a joy to read!
by Mel BartholomewDid you ever wonder why you till and compost your entire garden, plant seeds in long rows with three feet of bare earth between that you fight to keep weed free the rest of the summer? That is the question Bartholomew asked as a new gardener and retired efficiency expert. His “new” method requires simple raised beds with a series of one foot squares, and greatly reduces the labor while adding to the productivity of your land. I've always loved the German Four Square Gardens and we'd like to build some raised beds sometime. His instructions make it sound quite simple. Maybe we'll get to it this spring, and if so I'll be sure to give updates. The only thing about his plans that I'm cautious about is his heavy use of peat moss. My experience with peat moss is that it is very difficult to wet if it dries out. I understand why he uses it because it is light, cheap and weed free. Maybe it would work better then I think! If you want to reduce your garden chores, especially if you have a very limited space to garden, check out this book!
by Barbara Kingsolver I can't believe I'm reviewing a Kingsolver book. No, I don't plan to ever read her novels, but I throughly enjoyed this book! Not a “how to” book like the others listed here, read this one just for inspiration and enjoyment! The book chronicles Kingsolver and her family's one year challenge to eat only food that they grew themselves or was raised in their local area in Virginia (with a few exceptions like coffee and spices.) Besides being a talented writer, Kingsolver is passionate about her subject and, if you skim the evolutionary garble, she gives a great appreciation for the wonder of home grown food! I read this book last August, in the midst of buckets of tomatoes and other produce, and it was just the shot in the arm I needed! Though I enjoy harvesting my own food, Kingsolver and her family, gave me even more motivation to know where my food has been! Though she doesn't do so in the book, I came away with an awe of the creative power of God who truly has provided for our needs abundantly! And I may never look at grocery store bananas the same again!
by Carla EmeryI've already reviewed this book in the past, so I'll just mention again that this large volume covers living off the land like no other book I've read!
So that is my favorites! I'd love to hear about yours! Maybe I can add some more to my list of books still to be read!
My present “to read” list includes...
Seed to Seed
by Suzanne Ashworth – how to save heirloom seeds
Four Season Harvest 
by Eliot Coleman– a Maine farmer describes how to extend the garden season
The Backyard Berry Book
by Stella Ott – to find out how to raise blueberries
Root Cellaring
by Nancy and Mike Bubel – to make better use of our basement
Sunflower Houses
by Sharon Lovejoy – because this is the only one of her books I haven't read yet!Two more articles worth reading –
Buying Seed
Easy to Build Compost Bin
1 comments:
I had been contemplating putting in a garden for about a year and after reading many books on the subject, I happened across the "All New Square Foot Gardening" book and I am so glad that I did. I love how practical and efficient the concept of Square Foot Gardening is. The illustrations are very clear. The author is very thorough with his instruction and his suggestions for modifying the square foot garden to fit your space are very useful. I am so looking forward to creating and maintaining my garden this year. I have shared this book with friends who have decided to convert to square foot gardening. Square Foot Gardening just makes sense!
Post a Comment