Gardening

We are the ark : returning our gardens to their true nature with acts of restorative kindness book cover

We are the ark : returning our gardens to their true nature with acts of restorative kindness

Mary (Gardener) Reynolds

630.2086 /Reynolds
Gardening

"We Are the Ark asks readers to have a sweeping change of vision for our relationship with our gardens. To inspire people to look at what we can do for the earth and all her kin, rather than seeing our patches of the planet as 'outdoor rooms' for our pleasure or 'blank pallets' for our creative visions. To Ark their land and restore a network of native plants instead of 'low maintenance' burdens. It aspires to get all schools on board. From the smallest children up to university level. To inspire them to give their unused land and corners here and there back to nature. To get local governments and commercial and corporate landowners onboard to return unused 'maintained' land back to its true nature, to support life. Ultimately, We Are the Ark asks people to build a patchwork quilt of healed land and water that will wrap its way around the globe and to reform the world of gardening into a network of nature sanctuaries. In a matter of a few short years this will reach a critical mass that will shift the consciousness of the rest of our planet's humans, giving us a real shot at restoring the earth back to health and harmony"--

Victoria's picture

Although this book is a little simplistic for the avid gardener, it is a great primer for young people and new gardeners. The advice whilst sage, sometimes comes off as a little preachy but overall, this book has a great hopeful message about the positive impact home gardeners, ecologists and those interested in conservation can have on protecting our planet. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and it's worth picking up the book for these alone. -Victoria

No nibbling! book cover

No nibbling!

Beth Ferry

jE Ferry
Picture Books, Gardening, Humor

Derwood the goat has planted a garden and is prepared to defend it from all nibblers, including Tabitha the bunny, whom Derwood is convinced has designs on his growing vegetables; she teases him as the months go by, but after she helps him with the weeding the two become friends and share the feast.

Casey's picture

Puns galore and adorable illustrations make perfect storytime fare! -Casey

Fairy houses : how to create whimsical homes for fairy folk book cover

Fairy houses : how to create whimsical homes for fairy folk

Sally J. Smith

635.967 /Smith
Nature, Nonfiction, Crafts, Gardening

Create the ultimate fairy houses, made with natural materials - just the way real fairies build their homes! Have you ever seen a real fairy house? Not the ceramic ones you purchase, but a real fairy house made from natural elements? Well, now you can build your own miniature magical abode - the perfect addition to your garden. Revealed in Fairy Houses for the first time are the step-by-step instructions for constructing exquisite fairy houses, explained by master fairy house architect Sally Smith. From her home on the edge of the Adirondacks, Smith has been creating one-of-a-kind fairy residencies for years. She uses natural artifacts such as butterfly wings for stained-glass windows, twigs for window frames, and birch bark for walls. Smith reveals her building secrets in Fairy Houses. Readers begin their fairy house project by flipping through an inspiration gallery, deciding what kind of house they wish to create and considering where in nature they'll put it. From there, readers learn about building materials (found and natural), on-site fairy house construction, how to light a fairy house, and how to incorporate stonework into the design. All of Smith's secret tips and techniques are then showcased in a series of step-by-step photos, making fairy house creation easy. The ones featured in Fairy Houses were designed especially for this book and are meant for longer-lasting installations. With this book, fairy houses move beyond "cute" and into beautiful nature-woven works of art. When you're through, you'll find yourself in an enchanted land where a Lord of the Rings-esque mood is magically evoked.

Melody's picture

This beautiful book is just the whimsy I need on this rainy day! It's a nice hardcover loaded with colorful photos and helpful instructions. I have ZERO crafty skillz, but that doesn't stop me from looking at this cute mini houses made from bark, sticks, and leaves that you can stumble upon in your backyard. -Melody

Tom Waits book cover

Tom Waits

Matt Mahurin

779.2 /Mahurin
Political, Black Lives Matter, Black History, Gardening

"A collection of portraits of musician Tom Waits, the result of a 30-year collaboration with photographer and illustrator Matt Mahurin This book is a testament to the unique collaboration, going back three decades, between the photographer and illustrator Matt Mahurin and the musician Tom Waits. Having shot magazine portraits, album covers, and music videos of Waits, Mahurin was inspired to resurrect 100 dormant film negatives as a jumping off point to explore his own surreal, poetic, and occasionƯally dark vision. The images vary from traditional porƯtraits to ones that capture Waits in concert--but the majority are imagined scenes in which Waits is more muse than musician. In addition to the diverse images, the book includes a foreword by Waits, an essay by Mahurin on their longtime collaboration, and 20 original paintings, drawings, photographs, and digital images inspired by Waits's song titles."--Publisher's website.

Victoria's picture

This is a riveting read; with essays that document black legacies to American land linking past, present African American stewards and hopes for the future -Victoria

The little gardener : helping children connect with the natural world book cover

The little gardener : helping children connect with the natural world

Julie A. Cerny

635.083 /Cerny
Nonfiction, Gardening

The Little Gardener is an engaging illustrated guide for parents, grandparents, caregivers, and educators who want to help children explore the natural world through gardening. Part how-to, part teaching tool, and part inspiration, The Little Gardener is a thoughtful combination of detailed instructions, tips, anecdotes, and seasonal activities designed to connect gardeners to natural systems. With fun projects, useful charts, and creative journal prompts, The Little Gardener shows gardeners of all ages how to envision and build their garden together by making the process an adventure to be treasured, with much to learn along the way.

Casey's picture

This has been a great tool for getting excited about planning our family garden! Fun ideas for year-round projects mean I'll likely be back to this one seasonally. -Casey

Growing the midwest garden : Regional Ornamental Gardening book cover

Growing the midwest garden : Regional Ornamental Gardening

Edward Lyon

eBOOK
Nonfiction, Gardening

Plant selection and garden style are deeply influenced by where we are gardening. To successfully grow a range of beautiful ornamental plants, every gardener has to know the specifics of the region's climate, soil, and geography. Growing the Midwest Garden, by Edward Lyon, the director of Wisconsin's Allen Centennial Gardens, offers an enthusiastic and comprehensive approach to ornamental gardening in the heartland. This guide features in-depth chapters on climate, soil, pests, and maintenance, along with plant profiles of the best perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, and bulbs.

Melody's picture

I've got sunshine in my pocket and green grass on my mind. April has been quite a cruel month (thanks, T.S. Eliot!). But there are brighter days ahead. I plan on practicing social distancing by getting dirty in my own yard. Spade? Check. Desire? Check. Plan? Well, let's see... That's what this book is for! Join me in dreaming of greener pastures and brighter flowers. -Melody

Houseplant Handbook: Basic Growing Techniques and a Directory of 300 Everyday Houseplants book cover

Houseplant Handbook: Basic Growing Techniques and a Directory of 300 Everyday Houseplants

David Squire

635.965 /Squire
Gardening

Grow a garden inside! Houseplants bring life and color to any room, and with the right care you can successfully cultivate everything from succulents and bonsai to foliage, flowers, and fruit. Here is everything you always wanted to know about houseplants packed into one easy-to-use volume. Horticulturist David Squire provides simple, step-by-step instructions on choosing the right plants and helping them thrive, with tips on propagation, repotting, grooming, and pest control. The heart of the book is a well-illustrated plant directory that offers a fresh perspective on more than 300 popular varieties, arranged by houseplant families. Each entry features a color photograph for identification; the plant’s botanical and common names; its height, spread, optimum climate and light; and propagation tips. Other essential information on feeding, watering, and grooming is covered in a handy quick reference icon panel.

Beth's picture

Added by Beth

The new plant parent : develop your green thumb and care for your house-plant family book cover

The new plant parent : develop your green thumb and care for your house-plant family

Darryl Cheng

635.965 /Cheng
Gardening

For indoor gardeners everywhere, Darryl Cheng offers a new way to grow healthy house plants. He teaches the art of understanding a plant’s needs and giving it a home with the right balance of light, water, and nutrients. After reading Cheng, the indoor gardener will be far less the passive follower of rules for the care of each species and much more the confident, active grower, relying on observation and insight. And in the process, the plant owner becomes a plant lover, bonded to these beautiful living things by a simple love and appreciation of nature. The New Plant Parent covers all of the basics of growing house plants, from finding the right light, to everyday care like watering and fertilizing, to containers, to recommended species. Cheng’s friendly tone, personal stories, and accessible photographs fill his book with the same generous spirit that has made @houseplantjournal, his Instagram account, a popular source of advice and inspiration for thousands of indoor gardeners.

Beth's picture

Added by Beth

How to houseplant : a beginner's guide to making and keeping plant friends book cover

How to houseplant : a beginner's guide to making and keeping plant friends

Heather Rodino.

635.965/Rodino
Gardening

Cultivating houseplants is more popular than ever, and this fun, gifty guide introduces you to one of today's hottest retro activities! Heather Rodino offers a colorfully illustrated overview of caring for your indoor garden, profiling 50 of the most popular houseplants, from succulents to tropical foliage. Her accessible advice, tips, and lists will give novices the confidence they need to begin nurturing their own collection.

Beth's picture

Added by Beth

How not to kill your houseplant: survival tips for the horticulturally challenged book cover

How not to kill your houseplant: survival tips for the horticulturally challenged

Veronica Peerless

635.965 /Peerless
Gardening

Can't keep a houseplant alive, no matter how hard you try and how good your intentions are? This is the book for you. You need this book. Give plants a chance. Help your plant live with survival tips and learn the simple ways not to kill your plants.With over 50 different types of popular houseplants, How Not to Kill Your Houseplant summarizes what type of care your plants do (or don't) need. Be on the lookout for warning signs of a sick plant, from brown spots to crispy leaves, and make sure you take the proper action to rescue your plant. Learn the basics of horticulture, from watering your plant to what kind of soil it should be placed in to how much light it needs every day to if a certain type of plant will thrive in your living space. Find out how to keep a cactus alive, where to hang air plants, and how to repot succulents. Full of helpful tips, pictures, and informational panels, How Not to Kill Your Houseplant will turn your home into a beautiful greenhouse of healthy, happy plants.

Beth's picture

Added by Beth