Read a Book
by Colette Malik
November
New Naturalist; Designing and Planting a Resilient, Ecologically Vibrant Home Garden, by Kelly D. Norris. Getting back to nature, what grows together naturally, and how to plant and treat those plants in ways they will be very compatible are the suggestions in this large, lovely book.
Eco-Gardening; Essential Know-How and Expert Advice for Gardening Success. DK Publishing has put out of series of "Grow" books. This one explains what to grow for the health of our planet, where to put plants in your garden, and how to plan for everything that is part of your garden.
Container; Essential Know-How and Expert Advice for Gardening Success (Another book in the "Grow" series). What plants are best for baskets? best for walls? best for rooftops? This great book is where you will find all the answers. Descriptions include - Why to plant that particular plant, where to plant it, and what to plant near it.
Eco-Gardening; Essential Know-How and Expert Advice for Gardening Success. DK Publishing has put out of series of "Grow" books. This one explains what to grow for the health of our planet, where to put plants in your garden, and how to plan for everything that is part of your garden.
Container; Essential Know-How and Expert Advice for Gardening Success (Another book in the "Grow" series). What plants are best for baskets? best for walls? best for rooftops? This great book is where you will find all the answers. Descriptions include - Why to plant that particular plant, where to plant it, and what to plant near it.
September
Floret Farm's A Year In Flowers; Designing Gorgeous Arrangements for
Every Season, by Erin Benzakein, with Jill Jorgensen and Julie Chai.
Before you begin arranging those flowers, arrange the space where
you will prepare them, making sure you have all your implements at
hand. This book is also arranged by season and within the season,
by color as well.
Plant Partners, Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the
Vegetable Garden, by Jessica Walliser. Plants actually send signals to
each other. To understand this and put it to good use, is to be a successful
gardener. Reading and following its guidelines will help you succeed as well.
40 Bird Boxes, Feeders and Birdbaths, Practical Project to Turn Your
Garden Into a Haven For Birds, by Jen Green. Now that summer is
starting to slip away, there will be time to prepare for the next growing
season. One way to look forward is to prepare a couple of new bird houses.
Whether you make a tradition nest box, or decide to use an old boot,
this book will inspire you...and comes with instructions.
August
Gardening doesn't have to be one person's enterprise. The following books encourage
inviting the whole family to join in.
The Little Gardener; Helping Children Connect with the Natural World, by Julie A. Cerny.
Although this book is found in the Children's Department, it is really a book to be used
by adults to inspire young children to garden, as well as a teaching tool for the parent
who has never gardened before. A good resource at the end of the book lists companion
planting...the plant, friendly plants and "enemy plants".
Get Growing; a Family Guide to Gardening Indoors and Out, by Holly Farrell. This is another
good book to use with children, filled with great advice as well as helpful illustrations.
The book is filled with ideas for growing things under many different conditions, indoors
as well as outdoors, flowers as well as vegetable and in all seasons.
The Kinfolk Garden; How to Live with Nature, by John Burns. "Gardens are art works that
escape the control of the maker". How true. One look at these pages and you will be
swallowed up by the enclosing gardens shown here, as well as fascinated by their
owners. Breathe deep and enjoy.
July
GrowVeg; the Beginner's Guide to Easy Vegetable Gardening, by Benedict Vanheems,
editor of GrowVeg.com. Another beautiful vegetable growing book filled with great
instructions and photos. One photo that made me smile was "Grow a Salad Basket".
I've heard of putting a salad IN a basket, but never growing it in one. Many great
ideas including growing potatoes in a sack, and creating a pail pond to tempt froggies
to visit.
Soil Science for Gardeners; Working with Nature to Build Soil Health, by Robert Pavlis.
This is a serious book on building good soil. It "takes us on a journey through
the microscopic levels of soil geology, chemistry and biology" and helps us redo
our soil in significant ways.
Small Gardens, by Peter McHoy. Here is another book filled with inspirational photos.
As the author says,”the smaller the garden, the more important is is design.” The
observer sees everything at once so attention to detail is very important. The author
reminds us to have focal points as well as challenges the idea of importance of
regular shapes ( as opposed to irregular). Inspirational with common sense
instructions.
The Backyard Homesteader, How to Save Water, Keep Bees, Eat Food From Your
Garden, and Live a More Sustainable Life, by Alison Candlin. An interesting read
if just for the information, or also if you are interested in keeping bees. Like any
project, planning is the first and most important step and this book will help you
do so.
editor of GrowVeg.com. Another beautiful vegetable growing book filled with great
instructions and photos. One photo that made me smile was "Grow a Salad Basket".
I've heard of putting a salad IN a basket, but never growing it in one. Many great
ideas including growing potatoes in a sack, and creating a pail pond to tempt froggies
to visit.
Soil Science for Gardeners; Working with Nature to Build Soil Health, by Robert Pavlis.
This is a serious book on building good soil. It "takes us on a journey through
the microscopic levels of soil geology, chemistry and biology" and helps us redo
our soil in significant ways.
Small Gardens, by Peter McHoy. Here is another book filled with inspirational photos.
As the author says,”the smaller the garden, the more important is is design.” The
observer sees everything at once so attention to detail is very important. The author
reminds us to have focal points as well as challenges the idea of importance of
regular shapes ( as opposed to irregular). Inspirational with common sense
instructions.
The Backyard Homesteader, How to Save Water, Keep Bees, Eat Food From Your
Garden, and Live a More Sustainable Life, by Alison Candlin. An interesting read
if just for the information, or also if you are interested in keeping bees. Like any
project, planning is the first and most important step and this book will help you
do so.
June
Best Perennials for Sun and Shade; Easy Plants for More Beautiful Gardens. Home Grown Gardening, the publishing group, has created a simple introduction of beautiful perennials in sun and shade order. A short section mid-book has growing tips as well.
The No-Till Organic Vegetable Farm; How to Start and Run a Profitable Market Garden that Builds Health in Soil, Crops and Communities, by Daniel Mays. His book is written for people
who want to do organic farming on a professional level, but many of the ideas apply to the personal garden, as well. There is a helpful list of resources at the end.
Floret Farm's Discovering Dahlias; A Guide to Growing and Arranging Magnificent Blooms, by
Erin Benzakein, with Jill Jorgensen and Julia Chai. Besides including instructions for growing
and care, this book has the most fantastic collection of every color of dahlia possible. The author grows over 800 varieties.
Taunton's All New Backyard Idea Book, by Sandra S. Soria. If you are up to the idea of revising
And revitalizing your backyard, here's inspiration for you!
May
Growing Good Food; A Citizen's Guide to Backyard Carbon Farming, by Andrea Tucker.
Most soils have been seriously depleted of carbon. Ms .Tucker carefully replenished
her soil, and believes if we all do, the way we grow food could help our planet.
Eco-Friendly Solutions to Improve Any Garden; NO WASTE Organic Gardening by Shawna
Coronado. The "No Waste" gardening tips in this book range from soil creation and
upcycled outdoor living ideas, to pest management and quick tips for starting seeds,
the use of wine bottle watering is a nice idea. There is also a chapter on pollinators...
how to attract them, and then keep them in your area.
Home Grown Gardening; Attracting Birds and Butterflies; How to Plant a Backyard Habitat
to Attract Winged Wildlife, by Barbara Ellis. Now, an entire book to achieve the purpose of
the previous mentioned chapter. Not only are trees, fruit bushes, and flowers included,
this is definitely a flora/fauna book with great photos.
Kitchen Garden Revival; A Modern Guide to Creating a Stylish, Small Scale, Low Maintenace
Edible Garden, by Nicole Johnsey Burke. This is a great step by step instruction book to
create a kitchen garden. Ms. Burke's gardens are in raised beds on the sunniest side of
her home and are both attractive and successful.
Most soils have been seriously depleted of carbon. Ms .Tucker carefully replenished
her soil, and believes if we all do, the way we grow food could help our planet.
Eco-Friendly Solutions to Improve Any Garden; NO WASTE Organic Gardening by Shawna
Coronado. The "No Waste" gardening tips in this book range from soil creation and
upcycled outdoor living ideas, to pest management and quick tips for starting seeds,
the use of wine bottle watering is a nice idea. There is also a chapter on pollinators...
how to attract them, and then keep them in your area.
Home Grown Gardening; Attracting Birds and Butterflies; How to Plant a Backyard Habitat
to Attract Winged Wildlife, by Barbara Ellis. Now, an entire book to achieve the purpose of
the previous mentioned chapter. Not only are trees, fruit bushes, and flowers included,
this is definitely a flora/fauna book with great photos.
Kitchen Garden Revival; A Modern Guide to Creating a Stylish, Small Scale, Low Maintenace
Edible Garden, by Nicole Johnsey Burke. This is a great step by step instruction book to
create a kitchen garden. Ms. Burke's gardens are in raised beds on the sunniest side of
her home and are both attractive and successful.
April
Fruit Trees for Every Garden, by Orin Martin with Manjula Martin. An Organic Approach to Growing Apples, Pears, Peaches, Plums, Citrus and More. Forward by Alice Waters. Again, the title tells you everything. This comprehensive book covers all you need to grow; growing zones,
as well as the types of trees to purchase. If you have fruit trees in your yard, or have decided
to grow some, this book is a must.
Container Gardener's Handbook; Pot Techniques and Projects to Transform Any Space, by Frances Tophill. First, Ms. Tophill covers all materials that pots can be made with, then the soil to fill them with, followed by the way to display them. One of the interesting pots she shows
involves concrete and an old wool blanket.
And on a similar subject:
Miniature Terrariums, Tiny Glass Container Gardens Using Easy to Grow Plants and Inexpensive Glass, by FOURWORDS (a division of Actus Interiors). In this book, the plant(s) inside the glass containers become works of art. Consider this.
A Year in My Garden, by Jacqueline van der Kloet. (To get strong for spring gardening, lift this book several times a day.) Starting in September, the author takes us through her own
large garden to see how it develops, from month to month.
The Wardian Case; How a Simple Box Moved Plants and Changed the World, by Luke Keogh.
By chance, in 1829, surgeon and naturalist Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward discovered plants
could grow and flourish is boxes with glass roofs and/or sides. Thus began the history of the
Wardian Case, in which you could "move" plants from one part of the "Planet Earth" to another without them perishing. (Even insects were transported with this method.)
as well as the types of trees to purchase. If you have fruit trees in your yard, or have decided
to grow some, this book is a must.
Container Gardener's Handbook; Pot Techniques and Projects to Transform Any Space, by Frances Tophill. First, Ms. Tophill covers all materials that pots can be made with, then the soil to fill them with, followed by the way to display them. One of the interesting pots she shows
involves concrete and an old wool blanket.
And on a similar subject:
Miniature Terrariums, Tiny Glass Container Gardens Using Easy to Grow Plants and Inexpensive Glass, by FOURWORDS (a division of Actus Interiors). In this book, the plant(s) inside the glass containers become works of art. Consider this.
A Year in My Garden, by Jacqueline van der Kloet. (To get strong for spring gardening, lift this book several times a day.) Starting in September, the author takes us through her own
large garden to see how it develops, from month to month.
The Wardian Case; How a Simple Box Moved Plants and Changed the World, by Luke Keogh.
By chance, in 1829, surgeon and naturalist Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward discovered plants
could grow and flourish is boxes with glass roofs and/or sides. Thus began the history of the
Wardian Case, in which you could "move" plants from one part of the "Planet Earth" to another without them perishing. (Even insects were transported with this method.)
February 2021
Wild Interiors, Beautiful Plants in Beautiful Spaces, by Hilton Carter. Hilton Carter has amassed a wonderful collection of plants in our everyday spaces, useful suggestions in this time of separation/isolation. Starting as a film director, Mr. Carter thought of plants as a background for the people living within their space. The marvelous multiple photos show how each home owner integrated multiple plants into their living space. The latter part of the book is filled with suggestions as to how to utilize these plants in your own home.
The Complete Language of Flowers; A Definitive and Illustrated History, by S. Theresa Dietz. It took 20 years for Ms. Dietz to assemble the information within this book. It is a plant book unlike any other I have seen, although you, the reader, may be more aware. It is an alphabetically arranged grouping of hundreds of plants, sometimes listing only a couple of lines of information, but sometimes including the synopsis as well as folklore and facts. The disturbing part of the introduction states that she is not including the toxicity of the plant she is describing. Be careful what you wish for.
Botanical Art Techniques; A comprehensive Guide to Watercolor, Graphite, Colored Pencil, Vellum, Pen and Ink, Egg Tempera, Oils, Printmaking and More, by the American Society of Botanical Artists. And no, that title is not larger than the book. This is a serious instructive book for the professional artist who wishes to paint, etch, draw with complete accuracy for professional use. It is fascinating to look through! The authors of each section are called "tutors". Besides precise tutorial directions the book includes details as to how long the professional artist took to complete the work ranging from 3 hours (a single lamb's ear leaf) to 125 hours (a watercolor of "Indian Pipes"). For professionals to learn, for amateurs to be awed.
And be aware, the "Old Farmers 2021 Almanac (Number 229)" (established in 1792 by Robert B. Thomas) is available in bookstores. It includes astronomical data, the best days and times for fishing, multiple historical date histories, a trove of information. Every month includes information for "The Farmer's Calendar". Enjoy.
The Complete Language of Flowers; A Definitive and Illustrated History, by S. Theresa Dietz. It took 20 years for Ms. Dietz to assemble the information within this book. It is a plant book unlike any other I have seen, although you, the reader, may be more aware. It is an alphabetically arranged grouping of hundreds of plants, sometimes listing only a couple of lines of information, but sometimes including the synopsis as well as folklore and facts. The disturbing part of the introduction states that she is not including the toxicity of the plant she is describing. Be careful what you wish for.
Botanical Art Techniques; A comprehensive Guide to Watercolor, Graphite, Colored Pencil, Vellum, Pen and Ink, Egg Tempera, Oils, Printmaking and More, by the American Society of Botanical Artists. And no, that title is not larger than the book. This is a serious instructive book for the professional artist who wishes to paint, etch, draw with complete accuracy for professional use. It is fascinating to look through! The authors of each section are called "tutors". Besides precise tutorial directions the book includes details as to how long the professional artist took to complete the work ranging from 3 hours (a single lamb's ear leaf) to 125 hours (a watercolor of "Indian Pipes"). For professionals to learn, for amateurs to be awed.
And be aware, the "Old Farmers 2021 Almanac (Number 229)" (established in 1792 by Robert B. Thomas) is available in bookstores. It includes astronomical data, the best days and times for fishing, multiple historical date histories, a trove of information. Every month includes information for "The Farmer's Calendar". Enjoy.
December
Christmas Trees & Holiday Greens; Decorating Ideas from the Common Sense Gardener, by Deborah and Michael Sweeton. This small book covers the holiday from the garden angle, right on target for us. Its subjects are multiple plants of the Season, fresh greens, garlands, wreaths, everything the gardener can use inside the home as well as outside.
Country Living Christmas at Home; holiday decorating, crafts, recipes, edited by Valerie Rains. Perhaps this has already been on a December list, but the book is a Treasure Trove of ideas
for decorating your home. Ornaments, elements, food, all in abundance here. (I ordered my own copy.) Enjoy!
Christmas on Nantucket, by Leslie Linsley. Since you probably won't get to Nantucket for a
Holiday visit this year, this book is the next best thing. Not only is it filled with beautiful photos taken on the Island, suggestions for decorating your own home are included.
The New Christmas Tree, 24 dazzling trees and over 100 handcrafted projects for an Inspired
Holiday, by Carrie Brown. Do you want a unique tree for this year? A tree covered by ornaments crafted by you and/or your children (grown or otherwise) or grandchildren? This unique book is definitely the book for you!
And for after the Holiday, there is still time to preserve goodies worth preserving: Canning in the Modern Kitchen; More than 100 recipes for canning and cooking Fruits, Vegetable, and Meats, by Jamie DeMent. Exactly what it says, including multiple delicious recipes.
Home Preserving; Making the Most of Your Home Produce, by Lucy Cornell. Home preserving includes multiple techniques including drying, canning, freezing and pickling. Lots of great recipes included.
Christmas Trees & Holiday Greens; Decorating Ideas from the Common Sense Gardener, by Deborah and Michael Sweeton. This small book covers the holiday from the garden angle, right on target for us. Its subjects are multiple plants of the Season, fresh greens, garlands, wreaths, everything the gardener can use inside the home as well as outside.
Country Living Christmas at Home; holiday decorating, crafts, recipes, edited by Valerie Rains. Perhaps this has already been on a December list, but the book is a Treasure Trove of ideas
for decorating your home. Ornaments, elements, food, all in abundance here. (I ordered my own copy.) Enjoy!
Christmas on Nantucket, by Leslie Linsley. Since you probably won't get to Nantucket for a
Holiday visit this year, this book is the next best thing. Not only is it filled with beautiful photos taken on the Island, suggestions for decorating your own home are included.
The New Christmas Tree, 24 dazzling trees and over 100 handcrafted projects for an Inspired
Holiday, by Carrie Brown. Do you want a unique tree for this year? A tree covered by ornaments crafted by you and/or your children (grown or otherwise) or grandchildren? This unique book is definitely the book for you!
And for after the Holiday, there is still time to preserve goodies worth preserving: Canning in the Modern Kitchen; More than 100 recipes for canning and cooking Fruits, Vegetable, and Meats, by Jamie DeMent. Exactly what it says, including multiple delicious recipes.
Home Preserving; Making the Most of Your Home Produce, by Lucy Cornell. Home preserving includes multiple techniques including drying, canning, freezing and pickling. Lots of great recipes included.
November
Farm the City, A Toolkit for Setting Up A Successful Urban Farm, by Michael
Ableman. Not everyone is fleeing metropolitan areas these days. For those
who cannot leave, or those who want to "shelter in place", Mr. Ableman
helps the "city dwellers" situate in a healthier place mentally and physically.
This book is not only helpful in the way it teaches us to grow, it is also helpful in
navigating municipal rules and regulations. "His" garden in Vancouver covers
four acres, produces 25 tons of food and meaningful work for many.
Be inspired.
How to Create an Eco Garden, A Practical Guide to Sustainable and Greener
Gardening, by John Walker. Mr. Walker has a great attitude concerning biodiversity
in your garden, as well as inviting all types of insects to aid the plants reproduction -
butterflies, bees, etc. His book illustrates wonderful ideas for a dry garden and a rain
garden; you will find much to learn.
How to Store Your Garden Produce: the Key to Self-Sufficiency, by Piers Warren. Included here are methods of storing and preserving produce, among them freezing, drying, pickling, fermenting, etc. Very little photos here, mostly practical methods.
October
Now that we are going into the season of autumn, here are three "growing books", all the same size, with the word "grow" in the title, colored similarly, looking like siblings on the shelf but by three different authors and three different publishers. Enjoy.
Home Grown Gardening: Container and Fragrant Gardens; How to Enliven Spaces with Containers and Make the Most of Scented Plants, by Peter Loewer and others. The authors cover types of pots, types of soil, variety of ways and places to display annuals, perennials, herbs and shrubs. Because of the multiple authors, it seems as if the information is not always in one place. Don't let that discourage you from finding some new possibilities.
Grow Your Soil! Harness the Power of the Soil Food Web to Create Your Best Garden Ever, by Diane Miessler. Ms. Miessler writes simple instructions with a great sense of humor, and also a great depth of knowledge on what your plants really want and need, and how you can supply it.
Growing Good Food; A Citizen's Guide to Backyard Carbon Farming, by Acadia Tucker. The author started farming on a large scale on the West Coast. Later in life, she moved to New Hampshire, on a smaller property and an entirely different climate. Who better then to explain the all-round necessities for a successful organic vegetable farm, in any area?
August
Vegetables Love Flowers; Companion Planting for Beauty and Bounty, by Lisa Mason Ziegler.
This is a first-hand experience of a gardener learning a new way of gardening, integrating
flowers with vegetables. What brought the whole garden to life, was the heavy cutting of the flowers which encouraged more flowers, and more beneficial insects, and a whole new life. Chapters include "Pollinators", "Beneficial Predators", AND the yard around the garden, including rock piles and brush piles, ("what snakes?").
Grow Great Vegetables in New York, When to Sow and Harvest in the Empire State, by Marie Iannotti. Written with enthusiasm and humor, this great book for any area of New York has detailed instructions for practically everything you ever need to know, including a
do it yourself soil test in which you need a glass jar and lid, water, powdered dishwashing
soap, and a bit of your soil. She includes a planting and harvesting schedule for every climate zone in the state of New York. If you plan on growing your own veggies, this is the book for you.
Garden Design Master Class, 100 Lessons from the World's Finest Designers on the Art of
The Garden, edited by Carl Dellatore. This tremendous and inspirational book covers six topics with essays from 100 different authors/experts. Each topic is illustrated with a huge one- page photo. Sit in that easy chair and enjoy. The introduction includes a quote that hangs in a room in my home: "If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need."
Marcus Tullius Cicero.
Librarian Mary Jane Hunt, a gardener herself, who finds the books for this column, has suggested a website that she often uses: joegardener.com It is Joe Lamp'l who has podcasts and a program on PBS. Enjoy.
July
The bee-friendly Garden; Design an abundant flower-filled yard that nurtures bees and supports bio-diversity, by Kate Frey and Gretchen Le Buhn. This book was published about 4 years ago, but someone recently brought it to my attention again. "Bees are a critical link in the global food chain", and as you know, their numbers are decreasing. There are chapters on designing for edible gardens, as well as visually amazing ones and also plant lists by region.
Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening; A Gardener's Guide to Growing Flowers From Today's Favorites to Unusual Varieties, by Matt Mattus. Mr. Mattus concentrates on the spring, summer and autumn seasons, and has arranged the season contents by the flower names. It's a book to peruse, and also to check the index occasionally.
The Garden Source; Inspirational Design Ideas for Gardens and Landscapes, by Andrea Jones. This is one magnificent garden photo book. Almost every page left me with a gasp (yes maybe I have been in the house too long). Marvelous, imaginative settings abound, from backyards to front yards to sweeping views. (I bought a copy for myself.)
Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening; A Gardener's Guide to Growing Flowers From Today's Favorites to Unusual Varieties, by Matt Mattus. Mr. Mattus concentrates on the spring, summer and autumn seasons, and has arranged the season contents by the flower names. It's a book to peruse, and also to check the index occasionally.
The Garden Source; Inspirational Design Ideas for Gardens and Landscapes, by Andrea Jones. This is one magnificent garden photo book. Almost every page left me with a gasp (yes maybe I have been in the house too long). Marvelous, imaginative settings abound, from backyards to front yards to sweeping views. (I bought a copy for myself.)
April
Orchid Modern, Living & Designing with the World's Most Elegant Houseplants, by Marc Hachadourian, Curator of the Orchid Collection, New York Botanical Garden.
Here is a new book on one of the most beautiful flowers we can enjoy at home. The
history of the cultivated flower goes back to Chinese texts from 500 BC. The book covers every
thing you would want to know…history, growing instructions, multiple fantastic varieties.
The orchid is now the most grown houseplant in the United States.
The Kitchen Garden, A Month-by Month Guide to Growing your own Fruits and Vegetable,
New Edition, written by Alan Buckingham.
The first half of this book covers the planting year, detailing garden work and specific plants
that need care that particular month. The second half is a "crop planner" covering different
types of plants, some of which grow below and some above the ground. A small section at
the back called "Troubleshooter" guides you when things don't turn out quite as you expected.
The Flower-Powered Garden, Super Charge Your Borders and Containers with Bold, Colourful Plant Combinations, by Andy Vernon.
Put on your sunglasses. This book contains multiple vibrant color and color combinations.
Many of the plants are annuals, and Mr. Vernon suggests multiple ways of dividing/multiplying
them. One of the author's ways to pull you into the book, besides these lovely photos, are
the chapter titles: "Chocolate Limes, Mexicolour, Sherbet Spring into Summer......". Enjoy the
photos and the suggestions. Be forewarned, the author is very chatty. I hope that doesn't keep you from enjoying the book--you can always skip pages.
March
The Scentual Garden, Exploring the World of Botanical Fragrances, by Ken Druse. This well-known author and photographer has a fantastic sense of smell. He has detailed definitions of flowers, plants, etc. throughout this book. If you find the book too detailed, just browse the photographs which are always lovely, and now and then pause to read the primary and secondary scents emitted by those flowers and plants you are attracted to.
The Tree Book, Superior Selections for Landscapes, Streetscapes, and Gardens, by Michael A. Dirr and Keith S. Warren, (published by Timber Press, of course). Emphasizing the importance of trees at this time, the authors remind us that trees not only keep the planet healthy, but us as well. The authors do not present a positive guide to the future. They do list and give information on 2400 tree species and cultivars.
The Complete Book of Ferns, Indoors, Outdoors, Growing, Crafting and Lore, by Mobee Weinstein. Whether you have your ferns indoors in a pot, outdoors in the garden, or hanging from the ceiling, this book covers all forms of ferns, their care and their propagation as well as using their leaves in various artistic creations.
December
Christmas At Home, Holiday Decorating, Crafts and Recipes (from Country Living Magazine). Written in a breezy manner, this book covers every room, every type of holiday/or not. (Find the kitchen where double rolls of paper towels are part of the decoration.) This very enjoyable book is a great lesson for those who enjoy Country Living.
The New Christmas Tree, 24 Dazzling trees and over 100 Handcrafted Projects for an Inspired Holiday, by Carrie Brown. Would you like to make your own trimmings, or collect them...at the department store, or the antique shop? All are possibilities. Don't start decorating until you've seen this book.
Wreaths, With How-To Tutorials, by Laura Dowling. Here is another great wreath book with ideas to use year-round. Would you like to make a wreath using only green ribbon? Or try one with small
potatoes, cherries, sweet pea vine, and a few flowers? Not your run-of-the-mill wreath book.
A Taste of the World, What People Eat and How They Celebrate Around the Globe, by Beth Walrond. Do you know about the Maple Syrup Harvest in Canada, the Three Kings Day in Spain, Guy Fawkes' Night in the UK, Diwali (Festival of Lights) in India, and Weihnachten (Christmas) in Germany? The year and the world are filled with wonderful holidays to enjoy.
Celebrations Around the World, by Helen Gregory. A little book , from Fall to Summer, a quick and colorful summary.
November
Houseplants for a Healthy Home; 50 Indoor Plants to Help You Breathe Better and Feel Better All Year Round, by Jon VanZile. Here is another houseplant book but with many new angles starting with basic plant needs. The houseplant listing from A to Z includes health benefits from each plant including "removes airborne toxins", "promotes healthy hair", "reduces cold and flu symptoms"-- Who wouldn't want these plants?
Countertop Gardens; Easily Grown Kitchen Edibles Indoors for Year-Round Enjoyment, by Shelley Lewis. "The innovative products designed for counter-top gardening are changing how and what we grow" (page 11). Her book offers a variety of suggestions of growing mediums, and unusual growing containers as well. There are directions for mushrooms and ginger if you are interested. This book is for serious indoor vegetable gardeners.
Practical Houseplant Book; Choose Well, Display Creatively, Nurture and Maintain (includes) 175 Plant Profiles, by Fran Bailey and Zia Allaway. This is one of the most wide-ranging books on houseplants that I have seen. It covers design, including creative multiple or single placement and artistic innovation. If you can choose only one houseplant book for information and inspiration, choose this.
October
Gardentopia, Design Basics for Creating Beautiful Outdoor Spaces, by Jan Johnsen. The author began her career in Japan and Hawaii, and later worked in the Mohonk House in upstate New York, before starting her own business.
September
A Way to Garden, a hands-on primer for every season, by Margaret Roach.
Twenty-one years later, Margaret Roach has updated her primer. All new
but reflective, it is a book to own, read sections, skip and come back to.
Filled with beautiful photos of her garden, it will probably take every
season to read and enjoy.
Crops in Tight Spaces, Growing Amazing Fruit and Vegetables Wherever
You Are, by Alex Mitchell. What to grow, where and in what container
to grow it: ledges and sills, roofs and balconies, all the information you
will need for your individual way of gardening.
Practical House Plant Book, Choose Well, Display Creatively, Nurture &
Maintain, 175 Plant Profiles, by Fran Bailey & Zia Allaway. "Science
has proved that houseplants make us happier and healthier". Whether
houseplants are your only gardening effort- or secondary to the outdoors,
this book is a great way to expand your knowledge and creativity. This
is a great starter book for working with houseplants.
Twenty-one years later, Margaret Roach has updated her primer. All new
but reflective, it is a book to own, read sections, skip and come back to.
Filled with beautiful photos of her garden, it will probably take every
season to read and enjoy.
Crops in Tight Spaces, Growing Amazing Fruit and Vegetables Wherever
You Are, by Alex Mitchell. What to grow, where and in what container
to grow it: ledges and sills, roofs and balconies, all the information you
will need for your individual way of gardening.
Practical House Plant Book, Choose Well, Display Creatively, Nurture &
Maintain, 175 Plant Profiles, by Fran Bailey & Zia Allaway. "Science
has proved that houseplants make us happier and healthier". Whether
houseplants are your only gardening effort- or secondary to the outdoors,
this book is a great way to expand your knowledge and creativity. This
is a great starter book for working with houseplants.
August
The Gardens of Bunny Mellon,* by Jane Holder. From her earliest memories, trees, flowers, gardens were a life blood for her. Her involvement seemed inevitable, as in 1987 she received The Landscape Design Award from the American Horticultural Society. In her lifetime not only did she redo the gardens in her multiple homes, but among others, the gardens at the White House during the Kennedy Era and those of Christobal Givenchy. One important non-gardening project was the creation (recreation) of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville, Virginia, a church that relied strongly on the past historical architecture of Norman France.
Gardenlust, a Botanical Tour of the World's Best New Gardens, by Christopher Woods. Since summer is the season most people decide to vacation in, this is a wonderful collection of places to go and see. The book covers every continent (almost) with the author limiting his scope to gardens created in the last two or so decades. (You might want to skip the intro and just enjoy the gardens.)
Climate-Wise Landscaping, Practical Action for a Sustainable Future, by Sue Reed, and Ginny Stibolt. The authors, one a landscaper, one a botanist are both sincere in their concern for climate change and the natural gardening way to approach it. Among the many suggestions for growing in this book, is an emphasis on the use of native plants.
For the Kids:
Organic Gardening for the Kids, by Elizabeth Scholl. Written directly to the young gardener, this fully illustrated book begins by inspiring and then becomes practical. It even has Internet offerings at the end. Gr. 4-6
Let's Garden: A Step by Step Introduction, by Clara Lidstrom and Annakarin Nyberg. This is an interesting book, originally published in Sweden, covering some issues I have a feeling U.S. writers might not have thought of, including planting the poop of wild rabbits to see what they have been eating. Maybe you should supervise this reading.
Gr. 3-6
Grow It, Cook It, Simple Gardening Projects and Delicious Recipes, by Jill Bloomfield, Food Consultant. This is a large size beginner's book with beautiful double page spreads for each topic ranging from vegetables to herbs to fruits and with a delicious recipe with each topic.
Gr. 3-5.
Gardenlust, a Botanical Tour of the World's Best New Gardens, by Christopher Woods. Since summer is the season most people decide to vacation in, this is a wonderful collection of places to go and see. The book covers every continent (almost) with the author limiting his scope to gardens created in the last two or so decades. (You might want to skip the intro and just enjoy the gardens.)
Climate-Wise Landscaping, Practical Action for a Sustainable Future, by Sue Reed, and Ginny Stibolt. The authors, one a landscaper, one a botanist are both sincere in their concern for climate change and the natural gardening way to approach it. Among the many suggestions for growing in this book, is an emphasis on the use of native plants.
For the Kids:
Organic Gardening for the Kids, by Elizabeth Scholl. Written directly to the young gardener, this fully illustrated book begins by inspiring and then becomes practical. It even has Internet offerings at the end. Gr. 4-6
Let's Garden: A Step by Step Introduction, by Clara Lidstrom and Annakarin Nyberg. This is an interesting book, originally published in Sweden, covering some issues I have a feeling U.S. writers might not have thought of, including planting the poop of wild rabbits to see what they have been eating. Maybe you should supervise this reading.
Gr. 3-6
Grow It, Cook It, Simple Gardening Projects and Delicious Recipes, by Jill Bloomfield, Food Consultant. This is a large size beginner's book with beautiful double page spreads for each topic ranging from vegetables to herbs to fruits and with a delicious recipe with each topic.
Gr. 3-5.
July
Here is some reading material for the Gardener in You..
The Little Veggie Patch Co. Presents: Grow Food Anywhere, the New Guide To
Small-Space Gardening, by Dillon Seitchik-Reardon and Mat Pember. Although the introduction says "All You Need is Love", this book is filled with facts as to how to successfully grow as well as how to discourage pests and eliminate plant diseases.
Wreaths, with How-To Tutorials, by Laura Dowling. Whether from "The Woods, the Meadows, the Garden, the Market, the Islands" or dreams, Ms. Dowling has beautiful creative ideas for your walls, windows and doors.
Niki Gabbour's Veggie Garden Remix; 224 New Plants to Shake Up Your Garden and Add Variety, Flavor, and Fun. Tokyo Bekana? Mache? Romanesco? If you are adventurous in your veggie growing, get this book! Unfortunately, it does not list many sources. That will be your assignment.
It's Summer so for the Kids..
Gardening Lab for Kids: Theme Gardening, Fun Experiments to Learn, Grow, Harvest, Make, and Play, by Renata Fossen-Brown. Ideas for more creative gardening include a Solar Garden, a Color Wheel Garden, and a Mini-Pizza Garden.
Plant a Tiny Seed, by Christie Matheson. Here is a picture book for the young gardener, with just the barest instructions for a flower garden with a little magic.
The Little Veggie Patch Co. Presents: Grow Food Anywhere, the New Guide To
Small-Space Gardening, by Dillon Seitchik-Reardon and Mat Pember. Although the introduction says "All You Need is Love", this book is filled with facts as to how to successfully grow as well as how to discourage pests and eliminate plant diseases.
Wreaths, with How-To Tutorials, by Laura Dowling. Whether from "The Woods, the Meadows, the Garden, the Market, the Islands" or dreams, Ms. Dowling has beautiful creative ideas for your walls, windows and doors.
Niki Gabbour's Veggie Garden Remix; 224 New Plants to Shake Up Your Garden and Add Variety, Flavor, and Fun. Tokyo Bekana? Mache? Romanesco? If you are adventurous in your veggie growing, get this book! Unfortunately, it does not list many sources. That will be your assignment.
It's Summer so for the Kids..
Gardening Lab for Kids: Theme Gardening, Fun Experiments to Learn, Grow, Harvest, Make, and Play, by Renata Fossen-Brown. Ideas for more creative gardening include a Solar Garden, a Color Wheel Garden, and a Mini-Pizza Garden.
Plant a Tiny Seed, by Christie Matheson. Here is a picture book for the young gardener, with just the barest instructions for a flower garden with a little magic.
June
Looking Back...
Grandmother's Garden; the Old-Fashioned American Garden 1865-1915, by May Brawley Hill. Although most gardening books concerning the Early American history tended to emphasize the European influence, May Brawley Hill found that early painting of American Gardens had a very different style. Through extensive research she found the background for "Grandmother's Garden". Well researched and beautifully illustrated, this book is one that the Asharoken Garden Club sponsored in our library (1999). Re-discover it.
Landscapes and Gardens for Historic Buildings; a Handbook for Reproducing and Creating Authentic Landscapes, by Rudy J. Favretti and Joy Putman Favretti (third edition). Covering similar ground, this book researches American Landscape Design, beginning in 1620. It's first illustration is a Dutch House on Long Island. Fascinating lists (Flowers 1600-1699) as well as other plants from the same period, and the authors take the flowers into the following centuries. Wonderful resource for creating or sustaining historical gardens.
Looking Forward...
Gardens of the High Line, Elevating the Nature of Modern Landscapes, by Piet Oudolf and Rick Darke. Describing early use of local plants and trees, this book also covers the research in the U.S. and Europe for grasses, native plants, and assimilated foreign plants. Fantastic background information, fantastic photos.
For the kids...
It Starts with a Seed, Watch a Tiny Seed Grow into a Wildlife Wonderland, by Laura Knowles.
Here is a simple picture book showing the life of a tree from seed to tree to seed.
Wangari Maathai; the Woman who planted Millions of Trees, by Franck Prevot. Written in picture book form, this is a biography of Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Wangari Maathai.
Overcoming extreme difficulties, she began the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, and she and her supporters planted more than thirty million new trees.
Grandmother's Garden; the Old-Fashioned American Garden 1865-1915, by May Brawley Hill. Although most gardening books concerning the Early American history tended to emphasize the European influence, May Brawley Hill found that early painting of American Gardens had a very different style. Through extensive research she found the background for "Grandmother's Garden". Well researched and beautifully illustrated, this book is one that the Asharoken Garden Club sponsored in our library (1999). Re-discover it.
Landscapes and Gardens for Historic Buildings; a Handbook for Reproducing and Creating Authentic Landscapes, by Rudy J. Favretti and Joy Putman Favretti (third edition). Covering similar ground, this book researches American Landscape Design, beginning in 1620. It's first illustration is a Dutch House on Long Island. Fascinating lists (Flowers 1600-1699) as well as other plants from the same period, and the authors take the flowers into the following centuries. Wonderful resource for creating or sustaining historical gardens.
Looking Forward...
Gardens of the High Line, Elevating the Nature of Modern Landscapes, by Piet Oudolf and Rick Darke. Describing early use of local plants and trees, this book also covers the research in the U.S. and Europe for grasses, native plants, and assimilated foreign plants. Fantastic background information, fantastic photos.
For the kids...
It Starts with a Seed, Watch a Tiny Seed Grow into a Wildlife Wonderland, by Laura Knowles.
Here is a simple picture book showing the life of a tree from seed to tree to seed.
Wangari Maathai; the Woman who planted Millions of Trees, by Franck Prevot. Written in picture book form, this is a biography of Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Wangari Maathai.
Overcoming extreme difficulties, she began the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, and she and her supporters planted more than thirty million new trees.
May
How to Window Box; small-space plants to grow indoors or out, by Chantal Aida Gordon & Ryan Benoit. "A window box can change how you see the world. When you add plants to your line of sight, everything gets greener, brighter." Whether it is indoors or outdoors, this book helps you to see beauty.
Storey's Guide to Keeping Honey Bees, second edition: honey production, pollination, health,
by Malcolm T. Stanford. (How I love subtitles.) Beginning beekeeping includes hints like
"start with two bee colonies, not one" (and make certain they are Italian). And no, you cannot
set everything up and then expect the colony to thrive on its own.
Long Island Landscapes and the Women Who Designed Them, by Cynthia Zaitzevsky. "Over a
thousand estates were to be built east of (the New York) city line on Long Island in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.... And research shows that half of all the gardens out on Long Island (1890-1940) were designed by women landscape artists." What an inspiration.
Garden Magazines available at the East Northport Library are: Better Homes and Gardens; Fine
Gardening; Mother Earth Living natural home, health, life; and Mother Earth News.
Many magazines available may have large sections on flowers and gardening, please check through them, you might find a surprise favorite. Happy searching.
Storey's Guide to Keeping Honey Bees, second edition: honey production, pollination, health,
by Malcolm T. Stanford. (How I love subtitles.) Beginning beekeeping includes hints like
"start with two bee colonies, not one" (and make certain they are Italian). And no, you cannot
set everything up and then expect the colony to thrive on its own.
Long Island Landscapes and the Women Who Designed Them, by Cynthia Zaitzevsky. "Over a
thousand estates were to be built east of (the New York) city line on Long Island in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.... And research shows that half of all the gardens out on Long Island (1890-1940) were designed by women landscape artists." What an inspiration.
Garden Magazines available at the East Northport Library are: Better Homes and Gardens; Fine
Gardening; Mother Earth Living natural home, health, life; and Mother Earth News.
Many magazines available may have large sections on flowers and gardening, please check through them, you might find a surprise favorite. Happy searching.
April
Three for April
The Grumpy Gardener, An A to Z Guide from the Galaxy’s Most Irritable Green Thumb, by Steve Bender. Grumpy Gardener has monthly article in the Southern Living magazine as well as a blog. This book begins with African Violets and ends with Xeriscaping to ZZ plant. Feel free to dip in.
Happy Cactus; Cacti, Succulents, and More, edited by John Pilbeam. Not too much blooming outside yet. This is a good time to refer back to those wonderful plants that stand at the windowsill. Very visual, with care and other tips included.
The New Organic Grower, A Master’s Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener, (30th Anniversary edition) by Eliot Coleman. This is a thorough “how to” book, with history thrown in.
For supplemental information the Northport Public Library carries the following magazines, the back issues can be checked out. The East Northport garden magazine collection will be in next month’s newsletter.
Northport: Better Homes and Gardens, Birds and Blooms, Fine Gardening, Garden Gate, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture Magazine.
The Grumpy Gardener, An A to Z Guide from the Galaxy’s Most Irritable Green Thumb, by Steve Bender. Grumpy Gardener has monthly article in the Southern Living magazine as well as a blog. This book begins with African Violets and ends with Xeriscaping to ZZ plant. Feel free to dip in.
Happy Cactus; Cacti, Succulents, and More, edited by John Pilbeam. Not too much blooming outside yet. This is a good time to refer back to those wonderful plants that stand at the windowsill. Very visual, with care and other tips included.
The New Organic Grower, A Master’s Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener, (30th Anniversary edition) by Eliot Coleman. This is a thorough “how to” book, with history thrown in.
For supplemental information the Northport Public Library carries the following magazines, the back issues can be checked out. The East Northport garden magazine collection will be in next month’s newsletter.
Northport: Better Homes and Gardens, Birds and Blooms, Fine Gardening, Garden Gate, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture Magazine.
March 2019
Garden Renovation: Transform Your Yard into the Garden of Your Dreams, by Bobbie Schwartz.
Whether you have lived in your home for decades or have recently relocated, the garden
you live in may no longer be appropriate or easy to manage. Inspiration for change is here;
it covers everything.
Terrain, Ideas and Inspiration for Decorating the Home and Garden, Greg Lehmkuhl, editor.
Terrain is the name of a local nursery in Pennsylvania, which has thrown itself into being a
beautiful learning experience, as well as nursery. The book is filled with ways to decorate
outdoor containers and also do lovely indoor floral arrangements.
Creating Sanctuary, Sacred Garden Spaces, Plant Based Medicine, and Daily Practices to
Achieve Happiness and Well-Being, by Jessi Bloom.
This book is definitely "New Age" (which may, in itself, be old), but for those interested, it is
truly a treasure trove of knowledge; well-illustrated.
For additional reading pleasure, visit Barnes and Noble and peruse thru their collection of gardening magazines.
December 2018
HOLIDAY READING
Artful Christmas; 30 Elegant Craft Projects, by Susan Wasinger. Using felt, balloons with antique doilies, polymer clay, metallic tissue papers, dozens of lovely projects can be done for the holidays.
Handmade Wreaths, Decorating Throughout the Year, by Arlene Hamilton Stewart. You may be concentrating on the upcoming holidays, but this book will inspire you to think of year-round creations.
Christmas with Southern Living-2018, Inspired Ideas for Holiday Cooking and Decorating, Katherine Cobb executive director. Southern Living Magazine is known for their wonderful recipes and their newest book is a prime example. Indulge!
Kwanzaa Crafts; Gifts & Decorations for a Meaningful and Festive Celebrations, by Marcia Odle Mc Nair. Kwanzaa, an African-American Holiday is celebrated from December 26 through January 1st, with specific purposes for each day. Multiple crafts directions are included.
Jams & Jellies Our Very Best Sweet and Savory Recipes, by the staff of Better Homes and Gardens. If you are someone who loves making jams and jellies and giving them as presents during the Holiday, this is your venue.
Although there are multiple holidays in the month of December, including Hanukkah and St. Lucia's Day, the Library has no adult books that include other holidays, their celebration, decorations or recipes. At Barnes and Noble I found only two magazines which included other holidays : Prevention Guide's "Stress Free Holidays", and "Teatime Holidays" published by Hoffman Media. Look at them if you have a chance.
Artful Christmas; 30 Elegant Craft Projects, by Susan Wasinger. Using felt, balloons with antique doilies, polymer clay, metallic tissue papers, dozens of lovely projects can be done for the holidays.
Handmade Wreaths, Decorating Throughout the Year, by Arlene Hamilton Stewart. You may be concentrating on the upcoming holidays, but this book will inspire you to think of year-round creations.
Christmas with Southern Living-2018, Inspired Ideas for Holiday Cooking and Decorating, Katherine Cobb executive director. Southern Living Magazine is known for their wonderful recipes and their newest book is a prime example. Indulge!
Kwanzaa Crafts; Gifts & Decorations for a Meaningful and Festive Celebrations, by Marcia Odle Mc Nair. Kwanzaa, an African-American Holiday is celebrated from December 26 through January 1st, with specific purposes for each day. Multiple crafts directions are included.
Jams & Jellies Our Very Best Sweet and Savory Recipes, by the staff of Better Homes and Gardens. If you are someone who loves making jams and jellies and giving them as presents during the Holiday, this is your venue.
Although there are multiple holidays in the month of December, including Hanukkah and St. Lucia's Day, the Library has no adult books that include other holidays, their celebration, decorations or recipes. At Barnes and Noble I found only two magazines which included other holidays : Prevention Guide's "Stress Free Holidays", and "Teatime Holidays" published by Hoffman Media. Look at them if you have a chance.
November
The Backyard Gardener, Simple, Easy and Beautiful Gardening with Vegetables, Herbs, and Flowers, by Kelly Orzel. Growing strong healthy plants is definitely an important point for Ms. Orzel. She suggests "Lasagna Gardening" which includes multiple layers of mulch, and straw bale gardening which is self-explanatory as well as other forms of composting. She also has ideas for pest management without chemicals, (see page 66+).
A valuable source. Grow. Food. Anywhere. Text by Mat Pember and Dillon Seitchik-Reardon. (Australian origin). This large size book is a good general primer on raising veggies, et. al.
Garden Insects of North America, by Whitney Cranshaw and David Shelar. The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Bugs, 2nd edition. EEUW! But beautifully photographed reference with SO MANY baddies, you will be quickly able to identify your culprits; ending with predators of insects and mites. (Fascinating).
Gardening Under Lights, The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers, by Leslie F. Halleck. (The latest tools and techniques for growing seedlings, Orchids, Cannabis, Succulents, and more.) "The fusion of art and horticulture is natural" begins the author. Explanations of the importance of type of light (including LED, etc.) as well as managing your environment is included; subjects also include veggies, fruits, and herbs.
A valuable source. Grow. Food. Anywhere. Text by Mat Pember and Dillon Seitchik-Reardon. (Australian origin). This large size book is a good general primer on raising veggies, et. al.
Garden Insects of North America, by Whitney Cranshaw and David Shelar. The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Bugs, 2nd edition. EEUW! But beautifully photographed reference with SO MANY baddies, you will be quickly able to identify your culprits; ending with predators of insects and mites. (Fascinating).
Gardening Under Lights, The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers, by Leslie F. Halleck. (The latest tools and techniques for growing seedlings, Orchids, Cannabis, Succulents, and more.) "The fusion of art and horticulture is natural" begins the author. Explanations of the importance of type of light (including LED, etc.) as well as managing your environment is included; subjects also include veggies, fruits, and herbs.
October
How to Window Box: Small Space Plants to Grow Indoors and Out, by Chantal Aida Gordon and Ryan Benoit. This is a small scale book filed with unusual ideas for veggies, shade gardens in boxes, and other interesting possibilities.
The Well Tended Perennial Garden; the Essential Guide To Planting and Pruning Techniques, by Tracey DiSabato-Aust (completely revised and expanded). This is another basic book on perennials. Especially apt is the section on fall pruning and prep for the spring.
Leaf Supply; A Guide to Keeping Happy Houseplants, by Laura Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan. This is a quick overview of houseplants that may encourage you to add a few new types to your collection.
And to celebrate Queen Elizabeth of England's 92nd Birthday, check out her Royal Garden in PBS's CD, "The Queen's Garden" which covers a year in the Buckingham Palace Gardens and also its five century history.
How to Window Box: Small Space Plants to Grow Indoors and Out, by Chantal Aida Gordon and Ryan Benoit. This is a small scale book filed with unusual ideas for veggies, shade gardens in boxes, and other interesting possibilities.
The Well Tended Perennial Garden; the Essential Guide To Planting and Pruning Techniques, by Tracey DiSabato-Aust (completely revised and expanded). This is another basic book on perennials. Especially apt is the section on fall pruning and prep for the spring.
Leaf Supply; A Guide to Keeping Happy Houseplants, by Laura Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan. This is a quick overview of houseplants that may encourage you to add a few new types to your collection.
And to celebrate Queen Elizabeth of England's 92nd Birthday, check out her Royal Garden in PBS's CD, "The Queen's Garden" which covers a year in the Buckingham Palace Gardens and also its five century history.
September
Books to inspire travel:
Rescuing Eden; Preserving America's Historic Gardens, text by Caroline Seebohm. From New Hampshire to California, this book spotlights wonderful gardens and begs for a road trip.
Garden Guide: New York City, Revised Edition, by Nancy Berner and Susan Lowry. Once more, a guide book for Manhattan and the Greater New York Area.
Thinking of what to do next year?
The Practical Step-by-Step Guide to Patio, Terrace, Backyard and Courtyard Garden, an inspiring sourcebook of classic and contemporary garden design with ideas and techniques to suit enclosed outdoor spaces of every shape and
size, by Joan Clifton and Jenny Hendy. The title says it all.
On your mark, get set, grow vegetables!
August
To finish up your summer reading at the beach or on the porch here are a few for you and the kids.
For Adults:
Composting For A New Generation; Latest Techniques for the Bin and Beyond, by Michelle Balz. Composting isn't new, George Washington did it, and there are indications that some ancient cultures did it as well. Old and new techniques are included in Ms. Balz's knowledgeable book.
Summer Garden Murder, A Gardening Mystery, by Ann Ripley. This is the eighth entry in the Louise Eldridge series, wherein a released murderer that Eldridge help convict, suddenly ends up dead in her garden (and it's not the only corpse).
The Cranefly Orchid Murders, A Martha's Vineyard Mystery, by Cynthia Riggs. Victoria Trumbull, a ninety two year old gets involved in a murder after an off-island developer turns up dead. Can she and her 11 year old sidekick save the native orchid AND solve the murder? (second in a series).
For Children:
The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This is the classic story of Mary Lennox who befriends a magical boy who talks to animals; and a few other secrets in the house. (for the avid reader Grade 5 and up).
Flowers For Pudding Street, by Christine Mannone Carolan. Who is planting those Sunflowers in the village? (Preschool reading).
Tiny And The Big Dig, by Sherri Duskey Rinker. Gardening involves digging and this involves one big dig! (Preschool reading).
July
Martha's Flowers; A Practical Guide to Growing, Gathering and Enjoying, by Martha Stewart with Kevin Sharkey. If you are a fan of Martha Stewart you will certainly enjoy reading the information as well as seeing the great photos. Her book, divided into 3 growing seasons, describes flowers of each season including sections on the zone, soil, and light needed, and some trouble shooting. She also gives tips on arranging individual flowers.
Miniature Bonsai; The Complete Guide to Super-Mini Bonsai, by Terutoshi Iwai. Although you may be familiar with Bonsai, these intriguing Super-Minis are thimble pot size, and with care, can last for years. All the information you need is right here.
The flower-powered Garden; Super Charge Your Borders and Containers with Bold, Colourful Plant Combinations, written by Andy Vernon. When you come up my front steps you can see I am a proponent of Mr. Vernon's ideas. He arranges his book by color first, and then alphabetically. ("a florapedia of marvelous plants"). Enjoy.
Butterfly Gardening, The North American Butterfly Association Guide, by Jane Hurwitz. The contents of this book will allow you to segue your present garden into a butterfly habitat. There are articles on choosing plants for your eographic area, as well as each butterfly's basic needs.
container gardening,complete; Creative Projects for Growing Vegetables and Flowers in Small Spaces, by Jessica Walliser. Has the amount of space you use for gardening decreased? Ms, Walliser has ways to inspire you and aid you, sometimes with multiple pots in one large container....that's one I'll try next year. Also the idea of using one pot to entice bees and butterflies.
Martha's Flowers; A Practical Guide to Growing, Gathering and Enjoying, by Martha Stewart with Kevin Sharkey. If you are a fan of Martha Stewart you will certainly enjoy reading the information as well as seeing the great photos. Her book, divided into 3 growing seasons, describes flowers of each season including sections on the zone, soil, and light needed, and some trouble shooting. She also gives tips on arranging individual flowers.
Miniature Bonsai; The Complete Guide to Super-Mini Bonsai, by Terutoshi Iwai. Although you may be familiar with Bonsai, these intriguing Super-Minis are thimble pot size, and with care, can last for years. All the information you need is right here.
The flower-powered Garden; Super Charge Your Borders and Containers with Bold, Colourful Plant Combinations, written by Andy Vernon. When you come up my front steps you can see I am a proponent of Mr. Vernon's ideas. He arranges his book by color first, and then alphabetically. ("a florapedia of marvelous plants"). Enjoy.
Butterfly Gardening, The North American Butterfly Association Guide, by Jane Hurwitz. The contents of this book will allow you to segue your present garden into a butterfly habitat. There are articles on choosing plants for your eographic area, as well as each butterfly's basic needs.
container gardening,complete; Creative Projects for Growing Vegetables and Flowers in Small Spaces, by Jessica Walliser. Has the amount of space you use for gardening decreased? Ms, Walliser has ways to inspire you and aid you, sometimes with multiple pots in one large container....that's one I'll try next year. Also the idea of using one pot to entice bees and butterflies.
June
The Grumpy Gardener: An A to Z Guide from the Galaxy's Most Irritable Green Thumb, written by Steve Bender. Mr. Bender has had a "Grumpy Gardener" column in the magazine "Southern Living" for years, as well as a blog. His advice covers flowers, plants, trees, snakes, et.al. in both serious and humorous manners. ("A" includes "Awful Plants")
Niki Jabbour's Veggie Garden Remix: 224 New Plants to Shake Up Your Garden and Add Variety, Flavor, and Fun. Ms. Jabbour planted her 2,000 square foot garden after researching hundreds of vegetables from around the world and encourages you to try different "exotic" things, as well.
Practical Organic Gardening, the No-Nonsense Guide to Growing Naturally, by Mark Highland. "Organic Gardening improves the health of the broader ecosystem surrounding your home and landscape." Technical information but not dryly written.
Mushroom Cultivation: an Illustrated Guide to Growing Your Own Mushrooms at Home, by Tavis Lynch. Have you wondered how mushrooms grow? Well they grow on other living beings, or on dead things. Doesn't sound appetizing, but continue reading and YOU may want to grow your own. A few recipes are at the end of the book. (Did you see "The Phantom Thread"?)
The Grumpy Gardener: An A to Z Guide from the Galaxy's Most Irritable Green Thumb, written by Steve Bender. Mr. Bender has had a "Grumpy Gardener" column in the magazine "Southern Living" for years, as well as a blog. His advice covers flowers, plants, trees, snakes, et.al. in both serious and humorous manners. ("A" includes "Awful Plants")
Niki Jabbour's Veggie Garden Remix: 224 New Plants to Shake Up Your Garden and Add Variety, Flavor, and Fun. Ms. Jabbour planted her 2,000 square foot garden after researching hundreds of vegetables from around the world and encourages you to try different "exotic" things, as well.
Practical Organic Gardening, the No-Nonsense Guide to Growing Naturally, by Mark Highland. "Organic Gardening improves the health of the broader ecosystem surrounding your home and landscape." Technical information but not dryly written.
Mushroom Cultivation: an Illustrated Guide to Growing Your Own Mushrooms at Home, by Tavis Lynch. Have you wondered how mushrooms grow? Well they grow on other living beings, or on dead things. Doesn't sound appetizing, but continue reading and YOU may want to grow your own. A few recipes are at the end of the book. (Did you see "The Phantom Thread"?)
May
Beginning Beekeeping, Everything You Need to Know to Make Your Hive Thrive! by Tanya Phillips. Living on Long Island, we are fortunate to have access to organic honey grown locally. If the thought of having your own hives intrigues you, Ms. Phillips' book will help you achieve this end.
The Garden in Every Sense and Every Season, by Tovah Martin. Once again, Ms. Martin invites us to her home in Connecticut, this time for an in depth sensual experience. Her book covers all four seasons and within these, the sight, smell, sound, touch and taste of each.
Peony, the Best Varieties for Your Garden, by David C. Michener and Carol A. Adelman. One reason to love peonies is that deer, most often, ignore them. Of the 200 species described here, whether you prefer tree peonies to herbaceous, your garden will be better for their inclusion.
No Dig Organic Home and Garden; Grow, Cook, Use & Store Your Harvest, by Charles Dowding & Stephanie Hafferty. One more book on growing harvesting, preserving....information to fill up your curiosity on what would happen, if ever you were in this situation...including recipes!
Don't Forget!!
In May the Northport Library Children's Room will be advertising our garden backpack to be borrowed, including books, seeds, tools, everything that young gardener you know will need.
April
For those of you who would love to travel the world to see its beautiful gardens, have I got a book for you!
The Gardener's Garden, by Madison Cox, et al contains photos of extraordinary gardens all over the world - those begun in ancient times through to recent years. The scope is fantastic, the photos superb, and the information most helpful.
For more inspiration:
Visions of Paradise, Themes and Variations on the Garden. Photos by Marina Schinz. Text by Susan Littlefield and Marina Schinz. Among the themes in this book are: the kitchen garden, the herb garden, Italian school, the naturalized garden, and others. Instructions concerning special requirements are also listed.
The Secret Gardens of Paris, by Alexandra d'Arnoux and Bruno de Laubadere.
Just breathe it all in.
More hands-on:
Wildlife in Your Garden; Planting and Landscaping to Create a Backyard Sanctuary, ed. by Karen Lanier. Insects, reptiles, birds, mammals, they are all here if you want them and especially important if you are interested in the environment. The book contains a great section on hummingbirds, and how to keep critters where you want them.
If you received baby chicks at Easter:
Gardening with Chickens, Plans and Plants for You and Your Hens, by Lisa Steel, can be your guide. Includes raised beds, wire cloches, things you need to know, some things you may not want to know.
March 2018
Sowing Beauty, Designing Flowering Meadows from Seed, by James Hitchmough. This book shows how a naturalistic view can be achieved by sowing seeds of desired species in combination with small amounts of plantings, whether you want to replicate a wild area in central Asia, Montana, England, or at home.
The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Growers Handbook; Organic Vegetable Production Using Protea Culture; Best Practices for the eight most profitable table crops, by Andrew Mefford. Basically a text for market growers, it still makes interesting reading.
Raised Bed Revolution: Build It, Fill It, Plant it...Garden Anywhere! by Tara Nolan. If you want to change the way you grow vegetables, peruse this book filled with do-it-yourself ideas...while there is still time for planning.
How to Grow More Vegetables (and fruits, nuts, berries, grains and other crops) than you ever thought possible on less land and with less water than you can imagine. by John Jeavons. With this 9th edition and a forward by Alice Waters, Mr. Jeavons urges you on to achieve more, and encourage others to do the same.
And on a slightly different tone:
Bugged: the Insects who Rule the World and the People Obsessed with Them, by David MacNeal. There are 1.4 billion bugs for every human on earth. Entomologists do things you and I typically wouldn't do...in order to decode the marvelous workings of insects. Not for the squeamish.
Gardening for Mindfulness, by Holly Farrell. "Creating a mindful garden is not the same as making a therapeutic garden." Plant for the senses, for sharing with wildlife, recognizing the specialness of each season and its elements and then be still, breathe, watch.
Sowing Beauty, Designing Flowering Meadows from Seed, by James Hitchmough. This book shows how a naturalistic view can be achieved by sowing seeds of desired species in combination with small amounts of plantings, whether you want to replicate a wild area in central Asia, Montana, England, or at home.
The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Growers Handbook; Organic Vegetable Production Using Protea Culture; Best Practices for the eight most profitable table crops, by Andrew Mefford. Basically a text for market growers, it still makes interesting reading.
Raised Bed Revolution: Build It, Fill It, Plant it...Garden Anywhere! by Tara Nolan. If you want to change the way you grow vegetables, peruse this book filled with do-it-yourself ideas...while there is still time for planning.
How to Grow More Vegetables (and fruits, nuts, berries, grains and other crops) than you ever thought possible on less land and with less water than you can imagine. by John Jeavons. With this 9th edition and a forward by Alice Waters, Mr. Jeavons urges you on to achieve more, and encourage others to do the same.
And on a slightly different tone:
Bugged: the Insects who Rule the World and the People Obsessed with Them, by David MacNeal. There are 1.4 billion bugs for every human on earth. Entomologists do things you and I typically wouldn't do...in order to decode the marvelous workings of insects. Not for the squeamish.
Gardening for Mindfulness, by Holly Farrell. "Creating a mindful garden is not the same as making a therapeutic garden." Plant for the senses, for sharing with wildlife, recognizing the specialness of each season and its elements and then be still, breathe, watch.
December
Indoor Edible Garden; Creative Ways to Grow Herbs, Fruit and Vegetables in Your Home, written by Zia Allaway. Have you thought of growing edibles all year in your own home? Ms. Allaway and many others have put together a carefully researched book - even breaking down areas of the home into growing zones from 1 to 8 - a fascinating, well written book.
The Holiday Season is coming too fast! The following books will help you decorate your home in traditional and non-traditional ways:
The New Christmas Tree by Carrie Brown. Ideas for clever tree trimmings abound.
The Wreath Recipe Book; Year-round Wreaths, Swags, and Other Decorations to make with Seasonal Branches, by Alethea Harampolis and Jill Rizzo of Studio Choo. - 267 pages of possibilities.
Country Living Christmas Joys; Decorating, Crafts, and Recipes. Whether it is decorating, hosting, cooking, the Country Living magazine staff have it all.
And from last year's list:
Beautiful Winter; Holiday Wreaths, Garlands & Decorations for Your Home & Table, by Edle Catharina Norman. No matter how you are celebrating Winter, here are some more inspiring ideas.
Then, in January and February, when winter has thoroughly settled in:
Miraculous Abundance: One Quarter Acre, Two French Farmers, and Enough Food to Feed the World. Written by Perrine and Charles Herve-Gruyer. A naive couple buy a farm and over the years perfect microfarm culture - a lesson in creativity and a new possible future in agriculture for countries around the world.
Indoor Edible Garden; Creative Ways to Grow Herbs, Fruit and Vegetables in Your Home, written by Zia Allaway. Have you thought of growing edibles all year in your own home? Ms. Allaway and many others have put together a carefully researched book - even breaking down areas of the home into growing zones from 1 to 8 - a fascinating, well written book.
The Holiday Season is coming too fast! The following books will help you decorate your home in traditional and non-traditional ways:
The New Christmas Tree by Carrie Brown. Ideas for clever tree trimmings abound.
The Wreath Recipe Book; Year-round Wreaths, Swags, and Other Decorations to make with Seasonal Branches, by Alethea Harampolis and Jill Rizzo of Studio Choo. - 267 pages of possibilities.
Country Living Christmas Joys; Decorating, Crafts, and Recipes. Whether it is decorating, hosting, cooking, the Country Living magazine staff have it all.
And from last year's list:
Beautiful Winter; Holiday Wreaths, Garlands & Decorations for Your Home & Table, by Edle Catharina Norman. No matter how you are celebrating Winter, here are some more inspiring ideas.
Then, in January and February, when winter has thoroughly settled in:
Miraculous Abundance: One Quarter Acre, Two French Farmers, and Enough Food to Feed the World. Written by Perrine and Charles Herve-Gruyer. A naive couple buy a farm and over the years perfect microfarm culture - a lesson in creativity and a new possible future in agriculture for countries around the world.
November
In this November selection I'm diverting a bit from the usual fare.
The Humane Gardener; nurturing a backyard habitat for wildlife, written by Nancy Lawson. Read this book at your own peril. It is contrary to most gardening instructions and suggests letting weeds, dead tree stumps, and even "harmful" insects take over sections (or perhaps all) of your yard. Ms. Lawson includes stories involving dedicated people who garden with only indigenous plants, as well as those who encourage wildlife in many forms. If you want to look at gardening from a new angle, this is the book for you.
Garden Friends; animals and wildlife that are good for your garden, by Ed Iken. This is a similar book, but more direct and no personal stories for inspiration. It includes websites and a bibliography.
The Children's Garden, loads of things to make and grow, by Matthew Appleby. Bring on your children and your grandchildren! Appleby's book is arranged by season and is filled with loads of ideas for kids and great photos, There is much to inspire. You may not agree with everything in the book (I certainly didn't), but it does get projects started.
Gardenista; the definitive guide to stylish outdoor spaces, by Michelle Slatalla, along with the editors of "Gardenista" (a face-book site). Here you forget everything mentioned in the three first books. It includes photos of thirteen beautiful gardens in the U.S. and elsewhere. Absolutely lovely to look at. (An important word here is "stylish".)
In this month of Thanks - thanks to all the members, all those who garden and appreciate gardens. May your own Thanksgiving overflow with goodness.
October
The Beginner's Guide to Starting a Garden: 326 fast, easy, affordable ways to transform your yard, one project at a time, by Sally Roth. Again, the book subtitle says just about everything. Ms. Roth uses her own experiences as a basis for beginners. You may not always agree with her color arrangements, but her ideas and suggestions are well done.
Fresh from the Garden: an organic guide to growing vegetables, berries and herbs in cold climates, by John Whitman. This book is centered on the author's 50 years of experience and is encyclopedic in coverage. A long list of plant suggestions is in the table of contents so the reader will immediately find their choices. This may be the only book you need for the homegrown edibles you consume.
Glorious Shade: dazzling plants, design ideas and proven techniques for your shady garden, by Jenny Rose Carey. Many of us, after living with our garden for years, no longer have multiple sunny areas. The trees, the bushes, have grown, and now rethinking the garden plants is the next step. Ms. Rose knows the way to incorporate old and new ideas.
And here are some books to help keep the edible "fruits of your labor".
Harvest: unexpected projects using 47 extraordinary garden plants, by Stephanie Bittner and Alethea Harampolis. The authors are presenting a book which lists fruits, vegetables, trees, and herbs in blooming succession and each individual description is followed by a recipe for pickle, salads, salad dressing, integrating into butter or cosmetics, or something completely different. An unusual approach to your gardening.
Put 'em up! Fruit: A preserving guide and cookbook; creative ways to put 'em up, tasty ways to use 'em up, by Sherri Brooks Vinton. Jams and jellies for your scone or your lamb; a book to prolong the season of fruits.
Mrs. Wheelbarrow's Practical Pantry: recipes and techniques for year round preserving by Cathy Barrow. Ms. Barrow's memories of preserving are deeply embedded in her family history; later in life, walking through a marvelous farmer's market with her husband peeked her desire to keep those beautiful goodies for more than just a few days.
We can learn from her example.
September
Home Grown Pantry: a gardener's guide to selecting the best varieties and planting the perfect amounts for what you want to eat the year-round, by Barbara Pleasant. The title says it all and does it all. Perfect for the active gardener.
Plantiful: start small, grow big with 150 plants that spread, self-sow, and overwinter, by Kristen Green. Whether you are starting a seed garden, or hoping that many of your plants will self-sow, this book is a keeper. Warning, in this book "overwintering" often means "bring it in the house."
Herb Garden: how to prepare the soil, choose your plants and care for, harvest and use your herbs, by Melissa Snyder. Whether you want herbs for cooking, tea, or sachets, this book will help you out.
The Winter Garden: over 35 step-by-step projects for small spaces using foliage and flowers, berries and blooms, and herbs and produce, by Emma Hardy. Succulents, bulbs, conifers, here with suggestions. (I love the way these secondary titles do the work for me.)
Before summer and summer vacation are gone, the next suggestion is a great new book for inspiration. A Year of Picnics: recipes for dining well in the Great Outdoors, by Ashley English. Beautifully illustrated and concerned with all types of picnics, a great book that involves the whole family.
Home Grown Pantry: a gardener's guide to selecting the best varieties and planting the perfect amounts for what you want to eat the year-round, by Barbara Pleasant. The title says it all and does it all. Perfect for the active gardener.
Plantiful: start small, grow big with 150 plants that spread, self-sow, and overwinter, by Kristen Green. Whether you are starting a seed garden, or hoping that many of your plants will self-sow, this book is a keeper. Warning, in this book "overwintering" often means "bring it in the house."
Herb Garden: how to prepare the soil, choose your plants and care for, harvest and use your herbs, by Melissa Snyder. Whether you want herbs for cooking, tea, or sachets, this book will help you out.
The Winter Garden: over 35 step-by-step projects for small spaces using foliage and flowers, berries and blooms, and herbs and produce, by Emma Hardy. Succulents, bulbs, conifers, here with suggestions. (I love the way these secondary titles do the work for me.)
Before summer and summer vacation are gone, the next suggestion is a great new book for inspiration. A Year of Picnics: recipes for dining well in the Great Outdoors, by Ashley English. Beautifully illustrated and concerned with all types of picnics, a great book that involves the whole family.
August 2017
The Adult Section:
New Small Garden by Noel Kingsbury. This marvelously informative book covers everything you'd ever want to know-- about plants and their situations for a small garden, including a "master class" in each category. The book is European and the advice is just fine.
Home Garden Pantry by Barbara Pleasant. If you decide to grow what you eat, Ms. Pleasant has it all written for you, from veggies and how to grow them, to herbs and fruit and preservation methods (if you don't eat them all first). We've seen this before but the information is good and inspiring.
Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzakein and Julie Chai. If floral arrangement is your thing, this book takes you from planting right onto the table.
The Bold Dry Garden Lessons from the Ruth Bancroft Garden by Johanna Silver. Ruth Bancroft is a fascinating woman; half biography, half photographic essay of her tremendous life's work in her succulent garden. This is a gardener's delight.
The Children's Section (for those of you fortunate enough to spend summertime with youngsters):
My Garden by Kevin Henkes. With soft pastel colors Kevin Henkes draws what a little girl would have in her "if only" garden. Good for preschoolers.
Linnea's Windowsill Garden by Christina Bjorn. Linnea loves plants - she grows them all over her bedroom. Good for elementary school readers...worth searching for.
Try This! Gardening by Stephanie Turnbull. This is a primer that includes topics such as growing with no soil, rock garden, and fairy gardens. It includes websites. There are lots of photos and is written for those in elementary school.
The Northport Library has Suffolk County "Nature Programs" pamphlets that list July, August and September
Programs for Tiny Tots to Adult Ed-ventures, throughout the County. Check them out.
The Adult Section:
New Small Garden by Noel Kingsbury. This marvelously informative book covers everything you'd ever want to know-- about plants and their situations for a small garden, including a "master class" in each category. The book is European and the advice is just fine.
Home Garden Pantry by Barbara Pleasant. If you decide to grow what you eat, Ms. Pleasant has it all written for you, from veggies and how to grow them, to herbs and fruit and preservation methods (if you don't eat them all first). We've seen this before but the information is good and inspiring.
Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzakein and Julie Chai. If floral arrangement is your thing, this book takes you from planting right onto the table.
The Bold Dry Garden Lessons from the Ruth Bancroft Garden by Johanna Silver. Ruth Bancroft is a fascinating woman; half biography, half photographic essay of her tremendous life's work in her succulent garden. This is a gardener's delight.
The Children's Section (for those of you fortunate enough to spend summertime with youngsters):
My Garden by Kevin Henkes. With soft pastel colors Kevin Henkes draws what a little girl would have in her "if only" garden. Good for preschoolers.
Linnea's Windowsill Garden by Christina Bjorn. Linnea loves plants - she grows them all over her bedroom. Good for elementary school readers...worth searching for.
Try This! Gardening by Stephanie Turnbull. This is a primer that includes topics such as growing with no soil, rock garden, and fairy gardens. It includes websites. There are lots of photos and is written for those in elementary school.
The Northport Library has Suffolk County "Nature Programs" pamphlets that list July, August and September
Programs for Tiny Tots to Adult Ed-ventures, throughout the County. Check them out.
June 2017
Here are more books about succulent gardens and garden dishes.
Terrariums, Gardens Under Glass, Designing, Creating and Planting Modern Indoor Gardens, by Maria Colletti. This is a good instructional book concerning creating terrariums, many of which contain succulents.
Terrarium Craft , Create 50 Magical, Miniature Worlds, by Amy Bryant Aiello and Kate Bryant. This is another step-by-step workbook often using succulents.
And once more: The Complete Book of Cacti and Succulents by Terry Hewitt.
Someone from the Club suggested the author Debra Lee Baldwin (C.F.?). Succulents are her mainstay. Her books, Succulents Simplified and Designing with Succulents, (including outdoor landscapes), are basic books. If you are succulent-addicted, please think of purchasing Succulent Container Gardens by Ms. Baldwin. She also has a "blog". Just google her name and you will be whisked away into the arid, beautiful world of a myriad of beautiful, fascinating plants.
The Library Corner is taking a respite in July. Please feel free to email me personally with your very favorite gardening book title. I'm collecting them for August.
Weed, sit back, and with a glass of iced tea, enjoy your labors.
May 2017
Mary Jane Hunt at the Northport Library again reminds us not to forget that garden DVD's are available. She suggested:
"The DVD Encyclopedia of Garden Plants", the author’s five point plan will help you perfect your gardening, .and....
"Rebecca's Garden", Volume 3--Spring Gardening, involving both flowers and vegetables.
Also check the Open Garden Schedule, book and on line, where private gardens all over the country open to the public for a few days. And there is a wonderful website "Long Island Garden Events" which lists things going on that the public is invited to. This may result in a few garden trips for us.
“The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Own Food: Save Money, Live Better, and Enjoy Life with Food from Your Garden or Orchard” by Monte Burch covers a lot of ground, as you can tell by that very long, descriptive title. Another book to enjoy!
For those of you who, for various reasons, spend much less time outside gardening, there is a new book titled “Indoor Green: Living with Plants". This is a marvelous book where the author visits interesting homes all over the world, and interviews the occupants and creative indoor gardeners about how and why they chose to do what they have done.
Another two books I highly recommend are based in England. The first is "The Writer's Garden: How Gardens Inspired our Best-Loved Authors". Of the 19 authors included, from Jane Austen to Roald Dahl, each is a treasure and beautifully photographed.
The second is "Capability Brown and His Landscape Gardens", the eighteenth century landscape genius.
As the saying goes, "so many books, so little time", and then there is planting and weeding, too.
Mary Jane Hunt at the Northport Library again reminds us not to forget that garden DVD's are available. She suggested:
"The DVD Encyclopedia of Garden Plants", the author’s five point plan will help you perfect your gardening, .and....
"Rebecca's Garden", Volume 3--Spring Gardening, involving both flowers and vegetables.
Also check the Open Garden Schedule, book and on line, where private gardens all over the country open to the public for a few days. And there is a wonderful website "Long Island Garden Events" which lists things going on that the public is invited to. This may result in a few garden trips for us.
“The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Own Food: Save Money, Live Better, and Enjoy Life with Food from Your Garden or Orchard” by Monte Burch covers a lot of ground, as you can tell by that very long, descriptive title. Another book to enjoy!
For those of you who, for various reasons, spend much less time outside gardening, there is a new book titled “Indoor Green: Living with Plants". This is a marvelous book where the author visits interesting homes all over the world, and interviews the occupants and creative indoor gardeners about how and why they chose to do what they have done.
Another two books I highly recommend are based in England. The first is "The Writer's Garden: How Gardens Inspired our Best-Loved Authors". Of the 19 authors included, from Jane Austen to Roald Dahl, each is a treasure and beautifully photographed.
The second is "Capability Brown and His Landscape Gardens", the eighteenth century landscape genius.
As the saying goes, "so many books, so little time", and then there is planting and weeding, too.
April 2017
Before you decide to go to Italy to view their gardens, here are a few suggestions closer to home:
Sidewalk Gardens of New York, by Alicia Whitaker
New York is a wonderful place to visit and Ms. Whitaker offers old and new green spaces to visit, from simple streets and front yards to community gardens, to the rivers's edge. Enjoy "walking" through the book and in the spring take that trip to New York City and enjoy the sights.
Central Park: Trees and Landscapes, A Guide to New York City's Masterpiece, by Edward Sibley Barnard and Neil Calvanese.
In 1980 the Central Park Conservancy was formed, necessary because of decades of underfunding and neglect. In that same year Mayor Edward Koch appointed Elizabeth Barlow Rogers as Park Administrator and it all changed for the better. The chapters begin with the Laurentide Ice Sheet, and goes into the denuding of Manhattan as it became populated.
In the 1850's New York State designated approximately 800 acres for a Greensward. The next 300 pages cover the history, as well as the plants contained within the Park.
Gardenwalks, by Marina Harrison and Lucy D. Rosenfeld.
"Gardenwalks" covers "101 of the best gardens from Maine to Virginia and recommends gardens throughout the Country." An excellent reference, Harrison and Rosenfeld's book covers 12 states and D.C. and ends with a reference area called "Choosing an Outing" with topics such as Artists' Gardens, Asian Gardens, Colonial and Federal Period Gardens, Gardens that Children Will Especially Enjoy...these also covering the entire northeast.
A Heads-Up, To Get the Feel for a Succulent Display:
Crazy About Cacti and Succulents, part of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden All Region Guide.
This book covers growing succulents indoors and out, as well as preparing them for exhibitions.
Succulents Simplified, Growing, Designing, and Crafting with 100 Easy-Care Varieties, by Debra Lee Baldwin.
Baldwin's book includes growing healthy plants, projects that showcase succulents, and 100 easy care succulents for those who go on vacation often (just kidding, but I am buying this one myself).
The Complete Book of Cacti and Succulents: a definitive practical guide to cultivation, propagation and display, by Terry Hewitt
This is a DK publication so you know it is going to be full of helpful photos. Hewitt begins by explaining what succulents are, and with each type, gives height and spread for the plants growing indoors vs. outdoors. The latter part of the book covers propagation, repotting, problems, as well as plant selection guides.
March 2017
Here are some new library books to start your gardening year:
The Complete Guide to Landscape Projects. Late winter is a good time to evaluate your yard and consider addition or alternate landscape possibilities. Divided into "Landscape Design " and "Greenscapes and Gardens", this Black and Decker volume is filled with detailed "do it yourself" projects. Considering the new interest in ecological gardening, there is a section on how to build a Rain Garden as well as Xeriscaping. Directions for building arbors, ponds, and fire pits are also included.
Gardening with Less Water: Low -Tech, Low-Cost Techniques, written by David A. Bainbridge. Mr. Bainbridge separates his book into two sections, as well. Part 1 includes "Super-Efficient Irrigation Systems" using many innovative techniques. Part 2, "Taking It to the Next Level", involves an overview, as well as specific directions and suppliers.
A Short History of Gardens, by Gordon Campbell.
For the history minded, Mr. Campbell has written a small book. Interestingly, much of it covering Islamic and Asian gardens, followed by a good sized section on European gardens, with a few pages dedicated to the America, Africa and Australia.
For those interested in more local fare there is:
Mid-Atlantic Gardener's Handbook. (covering Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington ,D.C.)
Your Complete Guide to Select, Plan, Plant, Maintain, and Problem Solve written by Katie Elzer-Peters. This book covers annuals, bulbs, vines, and turf grasses. If it grows, it will be here. Great for the beginning gardener.
Your First Garden, A Landscape Primer for the New Home Owner by Judith Adam.
The title tells it all. Another good basic book for beginners.
And last but not least two great new nature books are:
The Hidden Life of Trees, What They Feel, and How They Communicate, written by Peter Wohlleben.
One Wild Bird at a Time, Portraits of Individual Lives, written by Bernd Heinrich.
Enjoy.
Here are some new library books to start your gardening year:
The Complete Guide to Landscape Projects. Late winter is a good time to evaluate your yard and consider addition or alternate landscape possibilities. Divided into "Landscape Design " and "Greenscapes and Gardens", this Black and Decker volume is filled with detailed "do it yourself" projects. Considering the new interest in ecological gardening, there is a section on how to build a Rain Garden as well as Xeriscaping. Directions for building arbors, ponds, and fire pits are also included.
Gardening with Less Water: Low -Tech, Low-Cost Techniques, written by David A. Bainbridge. Mr. Bainbridge separates his book into two sections, as well. Part 1 includes "Super-Efficient Irrigation Systems" using many innovative techniques. Part 2, "Taking It to the Next Level", involves an overview, as well as specific directions and suppliers.
A Short History of Gardens, by Gordon Campbell.
For the history minded, Mr. Campbell has written a small book. Interestingly, much of it covering Islamic and Asian gardens, followed by a good sized section on European gardens, with a few pages dedicated to the America, Africa and Australia.
For those interested in more local fare there is:
Mid-Atlantic Gardener's Handbook. (covering Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington ,D.C.)
Your Complete Guide to Select, Plan, Plant, Maintain, and Problem Solve written by Katie Elzer-Peters. This book covers annuals, bulbs, vines, and turf grasses. If it grows, it will be here. Great for the beginning gardener.
Your First Garden, A Landscape Primer for the New Home Owner by Judith Adam.
The title tells it all. Another good basic book for beginners.
And last but not least two great new nature books are:
The Hidden Life of Trees, What They Feel, and How They Communicate, written by Peter Wohlleben.
One Wild Bird at a Time, Portraits of Individual Lives, written by Bernd Heinrich.
Enjoy.
December 2016
When you are looking for ideas to decorate your home for the Winter Holidays, our librarians suggested the following (all but one is found in the library's decorating section).
Designing Life's Celebrations, by DeJuan Stroud.
Inspired by the celebratory floral arrangements his grandmother made with local flowers, Mr. Stroud eventually found his calling in floral design (after working in Wall Street). His decorations cover areas indoor and outdoor, using flowers, tableware, food, single color as well as multiple color designs. The latter chapter also includes simple workbook instructions, making this user friendly.
More Decorating with Flowers, by Ronaldo Maia.
Mr. Maia has been one of New York City's top floral designers. In this volume Mr. Maia creates designs massive and teeny, sometimes arranging small bouquets to echo larger b
Beautiful Winter; Holiday Wreaths, Garlands & Decorations for Your Home & Table, by Edle Catharina Norman.
In this step by step photographic instruction book each page lists materials and directions. The designs vary from the very simple to the simply complex. Choose your project!
Judith Blacklock's Flower Recipes for WINTER; Simple and stylish designs for the home.
This book follows the same instructional format as "Beautiful Winter" with the addition of cranberries (yay!), brussel sprouts (you were going to eat those?) miniature red peppers, etc. that add bits of life to the arrangements.
And last:
What's Wrong With My Houseplant; save your Indoor Plants with 100 % Organic Solutions, by David Deardorff and Kathryn Wadsworth.
The lengthy first chapter gives detailed instructions pertaining to all houseplant needs. Then the book covers nine different types of houseplants from Herbs to Trees.
Librarian Mary Jane Hunt has printed out some podcasts for interested Gardeners. Copies will be available at the December meeting. Thanks to Mrs. Hunt for her help all year.
The Library Corner will be put to rest until the March Newsletter.
In Ronaldo Maias book introduction, he emphasizes the precept: “Never stop creating.”
Take this precept for your own.
November 2016
Tending Your Garden; a year round guide to garden maintenance, by Gordon and Mary Hayward. Starting with winter and a quote from Voltaire, the Haywards go through the four seasons and each season's gardening requirements. The photos taken are from their own land in Vermont, so there will be photographs involving real snow.
How to Prune Trees, Shrubs and Climbers, by Richard Bird. This book is filled with multiple diagrams and photos for shaping plants (as well as perennials and annuals) in a healthy and attractive manner.
What to do at the end of the veggie gardening season? The Joy of Pickling; 300 flavor-packed recipes for all kinds of produce from garden or market, 3rd revised edition. Written by Linda Ziedrich, the book has endless ideas. It begins with a history of pickling and directions for fermenting as well. No photos here, just page after page of sweet or sour or both...delicious pickle concoctions from all over the world.
Another way of keeping your garden produce fresh is...The Joy of Keeping a Root Cellar; canning, freezing, drying, smoking, and preserving the harvest second edition), by Jennifer Megyesi. Ms. Megyesi includes successes and a few failures, but offers a marvelous amount of ways to keep that food available all through the year.
Tending Your Garden; a year round guide to garden maintenance, by Gordon and Mary Hayward. Starting with winter and a quote from Voltaire, the Haywards go through the four seasons and each season's gardening requirements. The photos taken are from their own land in Vermont, so there will be photographs involving real snow.
How to Prune Trees, Shrubs and Climbers, by Richard Bird. This book is filled with multiple diagrams and photos for shaping plants (as well as perennials and annuals) in a healthy and attractive manner.
What to do at the end of the veggie gardening season? The Joy of Pickling; 300 flavor-packed recipes for all kinds of produce from garden or market, 3rd revised edition. Written by Linda Ziedrich, the book has endless ideas. It begins with a history of pickling and directions for fermenting as well. No photos here, just page after page of sweet or sour or both...delicious pickle concoctions from all over the world.
Another way of keeping your garden produce fresh is...The Joy of Keeping a Root Cellar; canning, freezing, drying, smoking, and preserving the harvest second edition), by Jennifer Megyesi. Ms. Megyesi includes successes and a few failures, but offers a marvelous amount of ways to keep that food available all through the year.
July 2016
In July, the new library books that were shown, are informative tomes.
Homegrown Harvest, edited by American Horticultural Society's Rita Pelczar,
A season-by-season guide to a sustainable kitchen garden.
This book goes thru each season with what to plant, what pests to look out for, watering, placement, et.al...everything you want to know including why you should grow your own.
Grow Vegetables, by Alan Buckingham, another DK book.
This book also goes thru the seasons, with many great photos as is usual with this publisher. This book includes hand pollination of veggie flowers, and easy to read graphs on when to plant outdoors, and when to harvest.
How to Plant a Garden, by Matt James, under the logo of the Royal Horticultural Society was one of my favorites, with info on the types of soils WITH PHOTOS, climate and microclimate details, a great chapter on combining colour, and hardiness ratings for North American, Europe, and Australia.
Gardening on Long Island with Irene Virag, is an older book, but if you aren't familiar with it, definitely take a look. It begins with a history of gardening on Long Island, goes thru the Island and the garden month by month and has photos of gardeners living on Long Island that you might know. An oldy but goody.
May 2016
"The Bee-Friendly Garden" by Kate Frey and Gretchen LeBuhn, and "Gardening for Butterflies" by the Xerces Society (multiple authors).
Both of these are long on detail, and filled with full color photos.
Next, a book on a private turned public access garden, near Philadelphia: "The Art of Gardening" by R. William Thomas, and multiple others, describing the history and present work of the beautiful estate "Chanticleer".
Another book mentioned was "Year-Round Indoor Salad Gardening", by Peter Burke, on how to sprout multiple types of seeds.
The last book is "The Gardener's Year," put out by DK Press, a beautifully illustrated book on what to grow when.
"The Bee-Friendly Garden" by Kate Frey and Gretchen LeBuhn, and "Gardening for Butterflies" by the Xerces Society (multiple authors).
Both of these are long on detail, and filled with full color photos.
Next, a book on a private turned public access garden, near Philadelphia: "The Art of Gardening" by R. William Thomas, and multiple others, describing the history and present work of the beautiful estate "Chanticleer".
Another book mentioned was "Year-Round Indoor Salad Gardening", by Peter Burke, on how to sprout multiple types of seeds.
The last book is "The Gardener's Year," put out by DK Press, a beautifully illustrated book on what to grow when.
April 2016
The first was "Books to read at your leisure" and that included:
"Antique Garden Ornament: Two Centuries of American Taste", by Barbara Israel;
"Nantucket Cottages and Gardens: Charming Spaces on the Faraway Isle", by Leslie Linsley, and
"The Reason for Flowers: Their History, Culture, Biology, and How They Change Our Lives", by Stephen Buchmann.
The next selection was "Books to get down and dirty" and that included:
"How to Mulch, Save Water, Feed the Soil, and Suppress Weeds", by Stu Campbell and Jennifer Kujawski;
"Designing and Planting a Woodland Garden; Plants and Combinations that thrive in the Shade", by Keith Wiley, and
"Easy to Grow Vegetables: Greens, Tomatoes, Peppers and & More", from the Editors and Contributors of Fine Gardening.