By Michele Buberniak, Bedford Branch Librarian
Time to get growing!
Here are some new gardening titles that you may enjoy while counting off the days until the danger of frost is past and it is safe to plant your own space. Some books on the list are the “how-to” type while others simply celebrate the love of plants, so enjoy!
Vegetables
The Wildlife-Friendly Vegetable Gardener: How to Grow Food in Harmony with Nature by Tammi Hartung, 2014
Thanks to the whimsical drawings of wildlife in this book, the animals look harmless, but as any gardener knows, many animals love plants as much as we do. As the title states, this author believes in harmony and offers great tips for attracting helpful predators as well as pollinators to the yard and using decoy plants and other methods to deter wildlife for consuming everything we grow.
The Vegetable Gardener’s Guide to Permaculture: Creating an Edible Ecosystem by Christopher Shein with Julie Thompson, 2013
“Permaculture,” or permanent agriculture, is defined as a method of growing vegetables in an efficient way by creating great soil using decomposed plant matter, efficient watering and other techniques in order to re-use the same space on a long-term basis. According to Shein, who grew up in Ann Arbor, the idea was first formalized in Australia in the 1970s. He is passionate on the subject and has written chapters on the basics of permaculture, garden designs, the best choices for plants and tips for seed saving and storing.
Flowers
Garden Rescue: First Aid for Plants and Flowers by Jo Whittingham, 2013
As with all Dorling Kindersley publications, this book has great photos and clear, large text that helps the reader or browser gather information at a glance. The book is written for those who are new to gardening and the problems that can come with it, but this book may also serve as a refresher for experienced growers. The book is divided into sections that include vegetables and fruits as well as ornamental plants and includes information on trees, shrubs, climbers, perennials, bulbs, bedding plants and lawns. The very first section is entitled “Know Your Garden” and it explains how plants work and the importance of the right site and soil. Especially helpful within this heading are the two page spreads that explain what is normal for the plant categories. The “Don’t Panic” pages will make you smile and may even teach you something you don’t already know. Although more academic diagnostic books have been published, this book is helpful with charts useful in identifying problems and info bites. The photos of the pests could have been larger for identification purposes but it is a start for further research.
Seeing Flowers: Discover the Hidden Life of Flowers. Photography by Robert Llewellyn, text by Teri Dunn Chace, 2013
Photographer Robert Llewellyn has produced stunning images of some flowers in 28 of the most common plant families using a variety of techniques. The photos have a white, backlit appearance reminiscent of botanical drawings and are quite striking. In many cases, this lighting makes the petals appear translucent, and it enhances the beauty of the blooms in a way we cannot visualize in a garden setting.
Teri Dunn Chase provided the text that accompanies the photos in each plant family section. As a writer and editor, she has contributed to many publications such as “Horticulture and North American Gardener” and books including “How to Eradicate Invasive Plants” and “The Anxious Gardener’s Book of Answers.”
Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life: The Plants and Places that Inspired the Classic Children’s Tales by Marta McDowell, 2013
If you love Peter Rabbit, gardening or watercolors, you will love this book and possibly want your own copy. Every page is a delight, filled with photos, sketches, paintings and most importantly, the story of Beatrix Potter.
Gardeners will appreciate the list at the end of the book of plants that Beatrix grew in her own gardens as well as those that are in her stories.
Syrup
The Sugar Maker’s Companion: An Integrated Approach to Producing Syrup from Maple Birch and Walnut Trees by Michael Farrell, 2013
Michael Farrell said this book is written primarily for those interested in actual syrup production, and those doing it for a hobby might prefer a more concise guide. If you want to start production, be sure to read one of the first chapters, “Is Sugaring for You?”
Other chapters are devoted to topics such as sugarhouse design and construction, gathering techniques and marketing. Readers may be surprised to learn that a wide variety of maples and black walnut trees also produce sap.
Small spaces
Fine Gardening Pocket Gardens: Design ideas for Small-Space Gardening by the editors of Fine Gardening Magazine, 2013
“Pocket Gardening” is a term loosely defined as planting in small spaces. This book contains great ideas from the folks at the reputable Fine Gardening Magazine. Gardening basics are included along with ideas and designs for ornamental and edible crops — yes, it is okay to mix in vegetables with flowers. Be sure to check out the list of plants for small places at the back of the book and the directions for pruning trees in order keep them small.
The author of the tree pruning tips is Janet Macunovich, a landscape designer, Michigan resident and a monthly contributor to the publication Michigan Gardener.
Community gardening
Community gardening is an idea that has become popular in many urban and some rural areas around the country. It provides a garden space for local residents to grow vegetables for healthy food options, especially on a limited budget.
In many areas, local government agencies have partnered with neighborhoods, churches and other organizations to turn vacant, overgrown lots into a shared productive garden space. In some communities, dedicated plots already exist and may be owned by an organization.
Community Gardening by editors Ellen Kirby and Elizabeth Peters, 2008
This title contains the success stories of various community gardens from around the country, including those that grow vegetables and those that are grown for area beautification. In addition to the benefit of healthy food, growing plants fosters a sense of personal satisfaction and in a shared space encourages cooperation among the participants. With great advice from the Brooklyn Botanical Garden for organic and sustainable gardening methods, all gardeners should enjoy this selection.
Be sure to stop in at the library as see our great collection of gardening and plant books.
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