The Regenerative Gardener's Handbook by Briana Selstad Bosch – Helpful, Informative and Enjoyable Gardening Resource

I recently discovered Briana Selstad Bosch’s gardening YouTube channel and have enjoyed learning some gardening tips and techniques from a flower farmer.  That’s why I wanted to read her first book The Regenerative Gardener's Handbook - Essential Techniques for Growing a Garden That Leaves the Land Healthier Than You Found It.

 

The focus of this book is about building up and supporting the foundation of your garden, the soil.  It was helpful to understand the difference between organic gardening and regenerative gardening and how various practices and techniques can help improve soil.  That in turn will help you grow healthy plants. 

 

Understanding the ecosystem of your garden can help you make choices that will benefit your garden.  Choices in fertilizers, to pest and disease control, and what plants you want to include can make a difference.  Whether you are a home gardener or farmer, taking good care of the soil is essential to being able to grow and care for healthy plants.  

 

Briana helps the reader to understand what we introduce into our garden can impact the health of our soil and plants.  From mulching to cover crops and weed management we can make choices strengthen our soil.  What we plant in our garden and how we manage it can impact the biodiversity.  I appreciated the simple charts and comparisons to help me make good choices for our garden. 

 

As a home gardener on a small lot, I may not be able to do all the recommendations a flower farmer can do.  But as I learn and implement good practices, use new techniques, introduce beneficial products into our garden, I can continue learn to grow and enjoy the plants and garden we are blessed to tend. 

 

I enjoyed reading The Regenerative Gardener’s Handbook by Briana Selstad Bosch and look forward to continuing to learn about and implement practices that will benefit our garden.  If you are a home gardener or garden on a much bigger scale, you may enjoy and benefit on the information shared in this gardening resource. 

 

I would like to thank Storey Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of The Regenerative Gardener’s Handbook by Briana Selstad Bosch.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

 

All the Presidents’ Gardens by Marta McDowell – A Refreshing and Lovely Read

 

Maybe it was the winter season that piqued my interest in reading Marta McDowell’s book All the Presidents’ Gardens.  With our garden at rest, it was a lovely time to read about the history of the Presidents’ gardens at the White House over the last 235 years.

 

I absolutely loved reading this book.  It was a combination of history, gardening, with a little bit of biographies mixed-together.  It was refreshing to see the love of gardening from our Presidents, their wives, and families, and how they enjoyed the fruits of the labor of those who executed design plans.  What a huge task for the men and women who designed the gardens over the years.  I found it interesting to learn how everyone’s background, education, and experience influenced the designs, selection of plants, and the additions of other elements to make the gardens what they wanted. 

 

As a gardener, I found I connected with the Presidents and their families that had a love for gardening.  I appreciated their desire for seed and plant preservation.  I came away from reading this book with a new appreciation for how gardening is passed down from one generation to another.

 

If you love gardening, history, biographies, or design, I highly recommend All the Presidents’ Gardens by Marta McDowell.  This was a lovely and refreshing book to read. 

 

I would like to thank Timber Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of All the Presidents’ Gardens by Marta McDowell.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

 

Seeds of Murder by Rosie Sandler – Interesting Mix of Gardening and Mystery

 
After reading the description of Seeds of Murder by Rosie Sandler, I wanted to give this British novel a try. I was hoping it would be reminiscent of Rosemary & Thyme, a nice mix of gardening and mystery.  

Steph Williams needs a job and hopes to be hired as the gardener at Beaulieu Heights, a small wealthy estate in England. Wherever Steph goes, her faithful companion Mouse goes too. To say that the residents are quirky is an understatement. Some are more welcoming than others. It seems that all the homeowners have their secrets. But would any of them be willing to break the law to protect their secrets? To steal, blackmail, or even commit murder? Just as Steph is getting a handle on the various gardens, she receives a threatening note. To make things worse, the residents have accused Steph of blackmail. How in the world will she clear her name, much less keep her job?

It took me a little while to get used to the first-person writing style and the British terms. But once I did, I enjoyed reading this book. I liked Steph and her dog Mouse. Loved reading the descriptions of the gardens, about plants and the work to be done. I could almost visualize the settings. The people in Beaulieu Heights, both residents and workers, were an interesting group. A few were friendly and some you would want to avoid. Steph was a very likable character, as was her dog. 

The residents of Beaulieu Heights were an interest mix. Though very wealthy and seemingly in need of nothing, their lives were a bit of trainwreck. I liked some of the friendships that Steph developed with both the residents and staff members. I enjoyed Steph’s relationship with her brother and parents. There were lots of weeds to dig through to get to the bottom of the mystery. I did not guess who the bad guy was.  

There were a few moments that I found touching. Like the kindness and encouragement of a few people when Steph stood wrongly accused. Or the support and love from her brother and dad. The progress in her relationship with her mom. 

Not going to give away the ending. But I would have liked to have seen justice. One mystery not wrapped up is what happened to Steph’s ex-husband who seemed to disappear.  

There is some profanity in the book, as well as revealing sexual immorality that some of the characters had been involved with. Thankfully, it did not go into graphic detail.  

I enjoyed reading this mystery Seeds of Murder by Rosie Sandler. It was a change of pace from my regular reading. If you enjoy mysteries and gardening, you might enjoy this novel.

I would like to thank Embla Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Seeds of Murder by Rosie Sandler. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.  

 

 

Containers in the Garden by Claus Dalby – Beautiful, Inspiring and Gorgeous Photos

I was very excited to see that Claus Dalby has released a book on Container in the Garden.  I’ve been following his posts on social media for a couple of years now and enjoy the pictures and videos he shares.

 

Finally, we have a collection of pictures assembled from Claus Dalby’s beautiful and inspiring garden.  This book is filled with stunning photos of plants, flowers, and foliage in a variety of colors and combinations.  Claus begins with some of the basics of containers, soil, seeds, bulbs, planting and care. 

 

My favorite part of the book is when Claus goes through the color combinations, and assortment of plants that can be combined to reflect the seasons and holidays.  Also, how we can create or define different sections in our garden or outdoor rooms.  This book is very inspiring and gets a gardener’s creative juices flowing.  I appreciate the explanations on why certain plants were selected and combined with other plants.

 

I love this book and highly recommend it.  This book is a helpful resource for those new to gardening, and those who have gardened for many years.  It would be a lovely gift for those who enjoy beautiful pictures from the garden.  Reading through this book, I came across a number of plants that I would like try to grow.  I enjoyed Containers in the Garden so much that I plan to buy a copy of this book. 

 

I would like to thank Cool Springs Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Containers in the Garden by Claus Dalby.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.