Tend to your inner Green Thumb with these Great Reads
It’s never a bad time to try your hand in gardening. Now is actually the perfect time, spring, to get your hands in the dirt, whether it be to spruce up your garden in the way of planting flowers or growing your own produce.
Being outdoors and gardening is both peaceful and can be meditative, as well as a form of exercise. If you are new to the trade, gardening can be a bit of a learning process, from figuring out what are the essential tools you need and seeds to get, as well as any other supplies. So what better way to help and guide you than some gardening “bible” books, below we’ve chosen some of the best titles to get you started on your outdoor adventure.
The Flower Gardener’s Bible
Create the flower garden of your dreams. This comprehensive guide includes expert advice on everything from choosing an appropriate growing site to maximizing the lifespan of your plants.
Charming illustrations and photographs accompany helpful tips on how to improve soil, fight off pests, and make all your flowers bloom with radiant color.
Whether you’re a beginning gardener or a seasoned florist, The Flower Gardener’s Bible is a useful resource that will help you keep your garden healthy and beautiful for years to come.
Garden Maker
From the beginning God made a garden, so it’s no surprise if you feel closer to Him with your hands in the dirt and the sun on your back. There is something profoundly soul-satisfying about creating and cultivating beauty. If you long to experience more splendor in your life, you can grow some of your very own.
Join kindred spirit Christie Purifoy as she helps you unearth the simple delights of growing garden flowers, from preparing and planning to creating beautiful bouquets and other arrangements.
Lavishly photographed and lovingly written, this all-seasons guide invites you to discover the innumerable joys and wonders to be found in the flower garden.
The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible
Smith’s legendary high-yield gardening method emphasizes wide rows, organic methods, raised beds, and deep soil.
Succeed with fussy plants, try new and unusual varieties, and learn how to innovatively extend your growing season.
With thorough profiles of hundreds of popular varieties, The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible provides expert information and an inspiring roadmap for gardeners of all skill levels to enjoy abundant homegrown vegetables.
Best Perennials for Sun and Shade
Choosing perennials for a garden can be a daunting task, considering that there are thousands of choices. Yarrow? Columbine? Aster? To make the selection easier, this guide profiles the easiest-to-grow and best-performing perennials for both sunny and shady locations.
Each plant is shown in a beautiful color photo for easy identification. The photo is accompanied by information on where and how to grow the featured plant, along with horticultural tips to assist in making the perennial-gardening adventure an enjoyable endeavor. From controlling pesky bugs and deadheading to staking tall plants and taking root cuttings, everything a beginning gardener or new homeowner needs to start a garden is here. This colorful, photo-filled book takes the guesswork out of gardening. No trial and error–get it right the first time!
Rodale’s Basic Organic Gardening
In Rodale’s Basic Organic Gardening by Deborah L. Martin, general garden-building skills (from Do I need to dig? to Where do I dig?) and specific techniques (from How do I plant a seed? to How much should I water?) are presented in growing-season order–from garden planning and planting to growing and harvesting.
Many other need-to-know topics like soil, compost, seeds, pest control, and weeds are explained in simple language to ensure success, even on a small scale, on the first try. More than 100 common garden terms are defined, and Smart Starts sidebars offer doable projects to build confidence and enthusiasm for expanding a garden when a gardener is ready. A flower, vegetable, and herb finder highlights easycare plants with good track records. Plus, there are no-dig garden methods, simple garden layouts, and many more tips and hints.