Temps are rising and the days are getting longer...are you ready to think gardening? Here are some of my favorite books from 2024, sure to provide info and inspiration for whatever kind of garden you're dreaming of.
The complete guide to vegetable gardening : create, cultivate, and care for your perfect edible garden
Gardening Know How (Firm), author.
635 /Complete
"Gardening Know How - The Complete Guide to Vegetable Gardening is an all-encompassing guide to growing your own food, filled with creative tips and practical advice from the editors of the world's most-visited gardening website"--
Floral folklore : the forgotten tales behind nature's most enchanting plants
Davies, Alison, 1972- author.
398.368 /Davies
"Why do buttercups glow when held beneath your chin? Which blooms are sometimes called fairy phones? Why are foxgloves sometimes ominously referred to as 'Deadman's Bellows'? And what is the true meaning of a rose? Humans have given meanings and stories to plants and flowers for thousands of years, whether they're myths about Ancient Greek Gods who pecked out the eyes of anyone who dared move the sacred but thorny Peony plant, or 19th-century superstitions of how flowers could foreshadow love, life or death. After reading this book, you'll never look at a bunch of flowers the same way again! With details on the origins of the folklore behind each plant, and a beautiful ritual to help you better connect with the teaching each plant has to offer, this is the perfect gift for foragers, gardeners, and budding horticulturists looking to develop their knowledge of plants beyond the exterior."--
Bird-friendly gardening : guidance and projects for supporting birds in your landscape
McGuinness, Jen, author.
635.9268 /McGuinness
"With hundreds of North American bird species facing population decline or at risk of extinction, right now is the perfect time to create a home-based habitat garden that offers birds the resources they need to safely feed, migrate, breed, and thrive. Thankfully, making your outdoor space a secure and comfortable haven for many different bird species isn't a Herculean task. It's a matter of understanding the needs of our avian friends and how native plants, combined with purposeful garden design, can help meet those needs. And that's exactly the know-how you'll find here, outlined in a simple-to-follow, actionable format by author Jennifer McGuinness. Step beyond the seed-filled bird feeder and suet block, and learn how to further provide for birds."--Publisher.
Growing bulbs in the natural garden : innovative techniques for combining bulbs and perennials in every season
Kloet, Jacqueline van der, author.
635.9 /Kloet
Be inspired by nature's design! From the earliest snowdrops to alpine violet, tulips, and late autumn crocuses, bulbs add interest and color to the garden throughout the year. Renowned naturalistic garden designer Jacqueline van der Kloet has mastered a nonchalant and magical style, where bulbs emerge playfully, dancing among perennials and grasses. Growing Bulbs in the Natural Garden provides inspiration and insights gained from van der Kloet's career, using nature as a model. This exquisitely photographed guide offers advice on bulb varieties, planting methods, and handy tools for gardeners working in spaces large and small.
The fragrant flower garden : growing, arranging & preserving natural scents
Bittner, Stefani, 1969- author.
635.9 /Bittner
"Make your garden and home look and smell heavenly with this accessible gardening guide that explains how to grow fragrant flowers outdoors and bring natural scents indoors by creating floral arrangements, scented beauty products, and more"--
The gardening book : an accessible guide to growing houseplants, flowers, and vegetables for your ideal garden
Don, Monty, author.
635 /Don
"A practical, gorgeously photographed guide to the fundamentals of gardening from the ground up, with step-by-step instructions forgrowing 100 different varieties of plants--from the bestselling author of The Complete Gardener and host of BBC's Gardeners' World. Monty Don is on a mission to show everyone how joyful gardening can be. He starts with two important questions: What do you want from your garden? And how can it best serve your needs? The Gardening Book is Monty's most practical and accessible book to date, created to answer the most popular gardening questions Monty has received over the years. A revolutionary new guide to the basics, this book helps you learn how to: Grow your own veggies Better understand houseplant care Propagate plants Prune shrubs Handle pests Most importantly, you'll better understand what to plant, where and when to plant it, and how to plant it. With step-by-step photos that take you through dozens of garden projects much like a recipe would, this photography-filled tome arms you with knowledge and confidence. A new standard bearer for gardening, this is the essential book for any generation of gardeners and any size garden"--
The tulip garden : growing and collecting species, rare and annual varieties
Nicholson, Polly, author.
635.93469 /Nicholson
An inspirational introduction to growing and collecting tulips, set against the backdrop of a beautiful English garden, with expert tips and advice for gardeners.
Native plant gardening for birds, bees & butterflies. Lower Midwest
Daniels, Jaret C., author.
635.926 /Daniels
"The presence of birds, bees, and butterflies suggests a healthy, earth-friendly place. These most welcome guests also bring joy to those who appreciate watching them. Now, you can turn your yard into a perfect habitat that attracts them and, more importantly, helps them thrive. Acclaimed author and expert entomologist Jaret C. Daniels provides the information you need in this must-have guide for Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, southern Illinois, and southern Indiana. Learn how to landscape and create pollinator gardens with native plants"--
The ultimate wildlife habitat garden : attract and support birds, bees, and butterflies
Tornio, Stacy, author.
635.926 /Tornio
"For gardeners who are ready to take their efforts to the next level by planting for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife by focusing on restoring native habitat and using sustainable practices, this offers more than 200 recommendations of specific cultivars, sustainability tips, and facts about how to grarden organically. Regional recommendations are tailored to attracting specific pollinators; planting diagrams and plans show the possibilities with lush visuals"--
A year in a small garden : creating a beautiful garden in any space
Tophill, Frances, author.
635 /Tophill
'A Year in a Small Garden' follows Frances Tophill as she creates her new garden in a terraced house in Devon. Working in a small space, the book documents her journey to bring life to her garden, including tips and tricks for you to achieve similar results in whatever spaces you have at home. The book is structured around the stages of building her small garden, and branches out to include small community gardens Frances works with, as well as projects to create in small spaces at home - with a focus on growing food and planting in a sustainable, environmentally friendly way. Featuring new photography shot throughout the year, as well as Frances's own journal and garden notebooks, this book will not only give you an insight into Frances's journey creating her first garden - but will help you create a beautiful, productive, garden at home.
Container gardening : the permaculture way : sustainably grow vegetables and more in your small space
Tsimba, Valéry, author.
635.986 /Tsimba
"Based on the author's own experience growing a lush permaculture garden on her balcony, this book teaches anyone, anywhere to grow fresh, healthy produce in containers, free of chemical fertilizers or insecticides"--
The prairie gardener's go-to for grasses
Melrose, Janet, 1954- author.
635.9349 /Melrose
"Was ever there a prairie-er subject than grass? Important providers of habitat and food for numerous wildlife species, grasses also serve an integral role in erosion control. For the gardener they can open up a bounty of landscaping options, from the lawn to the pond. In the tenth installment of their popular gardening guide series, lifelong gardeners Janet Melrose and Sheryl Normandeau give you the skinny on everything from sod to sedges and raking to rushes. Following a primer on what exactly defines a grass, Sheryl and Janet take your questions on matters like clumpers vs spreaders, mulching and fertilizers, how to tackle problems like chinch bugs and fairy rings. The pair dedicate a chapter to lawns, providing a wide selection of alternatives to the tried and true commercial lawn species and answer questions on raking, aerating, laying sod, mowing, and dealing with dogs and all the damage they seem hardwired to do. Taking your questions on aquatic grasses, as well as edible species (like wheat, rye, and corn), and finishing up with a hall of fame of the best grasses for your every plan and purpose, the authors are sure to expand your knowledge on this truly homegrown topic!"--