Last Updated on October 18, 2024 by teamobn
Starting a garden isn’t always easy. Unless you’re fortunate enough to be surrounded by experienced gardeners, maintaining a healthy, flourishing garden may seem downright impossible at times.
Don’t worry, though. No one is born with a perfect green thumb. We hone our skills by asking questions, by observing other gardeners, and – yes – by reading.
Good gardening books are excellent mentors.
Contents
As it is with many other things in life, a good book will help. And, as with all gardening books that are worth reading, respectable gardening books are excellent mentors.
People
have been gardening for ages and they’ve been writing down gardening advice for
nearly as long. So, it’s impossible to write a definitive list of the best
gardening books out there.
What we’ve done here is to curate a list of gardening books we’ve consulted – and relied on – for gardening advice over the years. Some are many years old but still in print – which should suffice as proof of their enduring value.
Below are five gardening books we think every gardener should read
1. The Well-Tempered Garden
This is a classic that should be on any gardener’s shelf. The author, Christopher Lloyd, who received the Victoria Medal of Honor from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1979, is the creator of the lovely gardens at Great Dixter in East Sussex, England.
Originally published in 1970, The Well-Tempered Garden weaves the writer’s prodigious depth of knowledge and experience with his now-famous dry asides. The result is a classic.
The book offers all the brass tacks of gardening you could wish for – but it is also wildly entertaining.
2. The Dry Garden
Beth Chatto was a British plantswoman, garden designer, and author who is best known for creating the Beth Chatto Gardens near Elmstead Market, in the English county of Essex. She received the Victoria Medal of Honor from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1987.
In The Dry Garden, Chatto proposes a wide selection of easy-to-care-for plants that naturally flourish in dry conditions. In so doing, she shares her immense knowledge of gardening: delving into everything from soil types and garden-design principles to plant characteristics and growing tips.
With drought – including extreme drought – continuing to grip many parts of the world, home gardeners would be wise to have a copy of this classic gardening book on their shelves.
3. Planting: A New Perspective
Planting: A New Perspective takes you deep into the rich and intricate world of plants and how we can work with them to create more sustainable and exciting landscapes.
Two well-known landscape designers, Noel Kingsbury
and Piet Oudolf, co-wrote the book. Oudolf is famous for his design of the
hugely popular High Line gardens in New York City.
“Planting design has, in general, moved from a sense of absolute control to one of negotiating with nature – if not of total spontaneity, then at least the appearance of spontaneity,” say the writers.
The book explains and documents Oudolf’s “naturalistic” landscape design work. The detailed original plans, plant lists, and spectacular photographs combine to make the book one of the most compelling reads for any home gardener.
4. We Made a Garden
First published in Britain in 1956, We Made a Garden is the story of an enduring English country garden. In it, one of Britain’s most revered gardening writers – Margery Fish – recounts how she and her husband set about creating a thriving cottage garden in the former farmyard and rubbish heap around their newly purchased home.
Mr. and Mrs. Fish – each vigorously imbued with horticultural opinions of their own – negotiate the terrain of their garden, often with amusing collisions.
The result is a classic gardening book that describes the diverse elements of successful gardening and – ultimately – the fundamental character of a good garden.
5. Down the Garden Path
Beverley Nichols, a playwright, and author was another gardener creating a cottage garden in England just before the Second World War.
Down the Garden Path tells the story of how the Nichols transformed an overgrown, unprepossessing property into a lush, richly layered paradise of honeysuckle and blooms.
Around that story, Nichols builds a tapestry of little details about life in the English countryside, complete with cats, greenhouses, treacle, and eccentric neighbors.
Nichols has a wicked sense of humor, which makes this book perfect when you want to laugh and relax after a particularly long day.
Incorporate Diverse Gardening Genres
books are critical in helping beginners and seasoned gardeners develop their skills. To truly cover the diverse aspects of gardening, it’s important to explore different genres that focus on specific techniques or philosophies. This section highlights some key areas of gardening that are often overlooked but can greatly enrich any gardener’s knowledge.
Permaculture and Sustainable Gardening
Permaculture focuses on creating self-sustaining ecosystems, and gardening books on this subject are invaluable for reducing environmental impact. Gaia’s Garden is a book that teaches gardeners how to design their landscapes using natural systems like water conservation and soil fertility. This book provides a holistic approach, blending sustainability with gardening practices.
Raised-Bed Gardening for Beginners
For those with limited space or challenging soil conditions, raised-bed gardening offers an effective solution. Gardening books like Raised-Bed Gardening for Beginners are perfect for those starting or looking for a fresh perspective on compact gardening. It provides simple yet comprehensive steps, covering everything from planning to planting.
Flower Gardening and Landscape Design
If you’re more inclined towards flowers and aesthetic landscaping, books like The Flower Gardener’s Bible offer a deep dive into choosing and maintaining colorful blooms. This genre covers techniques to maximize plant health and vibrancy throughout the seasons. These gardening books are essential for anyone looking to make their outdoor space a masterpiece.
Incorporating a range of gardening books from these various genres will diversify your gardening experience and provide a more comprehensive understanding of how different methods and designs can be applied to your garden.
Spiritual and Holistic Gardening Approaches
Spiritual and holistic approaches to gardening offer a method to combine useful practices with mindfulness and care for the environment for gardeners looking for a closer connection to nature. These gardening books emphasize fostering balanced ecosystems and strengthening the gardener’s bond with the land.
Communing with Nature
Growing gardens may be a spiritual endeavor in addition to a physical one. Books such as The Findhorn Garden delve into how gardeners might establish a spiritual connection with the soil and its flora. This book nurtures the relationship between the gardener and plants spiritually and the plants themselves, teaching readers how to live in peace with nature even in difficult situations.
Holistic Gardening Techniques
In Talking with Nature, Michael J. Roads shares his experiences of interacting with the natural world on a metaphysical level. This book invites gardeners to deepen their relationship with nature by understanding the unseen energies present in their gardens. It encourages readers to view their gardens not just as physical spaces but as vibrant ecosystems teeming with life forces.
Gardening as Meditation
For those who view gardening as a meditative and restorative practice, holistic gardening books provide insights into how tending to a garden can be a form of mindfulness. These books emphasize the therapeutic benefits of gardening, focusing on how nurturing plants can also nurture the soul.
These spiritual and holistic gardening books offer a unique perspective that goes beyond the technical aspects of gardening. They inspire gardeners to view their work as part of a larger connection with nature and to cultivate not just plants, but a deeper understanding of the earth.
Cultural and Historical Gardening Books
Gardening is not only a cultivation practice but also a reflection of history and culture. Throughout centuries, different gardening traditions have evolved across the globe, influenced by the time’s unique environmental, cultural, and historical contexts. This section highlights gardening books that explore the cultural significance and historical development of gardening.
Gardens Through History
For those interested in the historical journey of gardening, Down the Garden Path by Beverley Nichols offers a delightful glimpse into English cottage gardens. This book recounts how Nichols transformed an unkempt property into a lush garden and touches on the cultural backdrop of gardening in pre-World War II England. Through wit and personal anecdotes, Nichols captures the essence of a time when gardens were deeply intertwined with daily life and national identity.
The Influence of Tradition
In books like The Flower Gardener’s Bible, readers can explore how historical gardening methods have been passed down through generations. It traces the evolution of flower gardening, offering insights into how specific plants and designs have shaped gardens for centuries. These gardening books show how cultural traditions have influenced everything from plant selection to garden layout, making them indispensable for understanding the roots of modern gardening practices.
Cultural Gardening Practices
Cultural gardening books like Gaia’s Garden focus on permaculture, blending ancient wisdom with contemporary environmental concerns. This book explores how indigenous and traditional agricultural practices have influenced sustainable gardening. Drawing from historical techniques, it provides a fresh perspective on how past practices can shape future gardening endeavors.
These cultural and historical gardening books are perfect for gardeners looking to understand the rich heritage behind their cultivated gardens. They provide a deeper appreciation of how the past continues to influence the beauty and function of modern gardens.
A Solid Foundation
Thinking about growing a vegetable garden or maybe starting a few flowerbeds in your backyard? No matter what plants you want to grow, or what type of garden you want to maintain, you’ll find a book that can tell you everything you need to know.
Some gardeners have shelves groaning with gardening books and manuals, putting the answer to every question they might encounter in the garden at their fingertips. Others might rely on just a handful.
You are likely to fall into one or the other category. In any case, the list above should be a good starting point – and a solid foundation – for your gardening education.
