Early Book Review: The 30-Minute Gardener: Cultivate Beauty and Joy by Gardening Every Day by Greg Loades

The 30-Minute Gardener: Cultivate Beauty and Joy by Gardening Every Day by Greg Loades is currently scheduled for release on July 11 2023. Are you ready to discover your garden’s unexpected gifts? All it takes is a daily practice. This book describes what dedicated time spent in the garden every day can create for readers: a moment of solitude in a busy world, a welcoming space to enjoy with family and friends, and an increased connection to nature. In this guide you’ll find advice on tasks like pruning a rose bush and planting bulbs, inspired ideas like adding a green roof or laying a patio, and hints on how to sit back and enjoy your accomplishments.

The 30-Minute Gardener is a wonderful reminder of taking things in small doses and enjoying the fruits (sometimes literally) of our hard work. I thought the pictures were well chosen, and match the text well, and broke up the text in just the right spots to give my eyes and mind a break. The text was well written, and I enjoyed the conversational tone of the text. I am very much the kind of gardener that has great plans and vision, but when it comes to the daily weeding and upkeep rather falls down on the job for reasons- too hot, too tired, too buggy, a good book needs reading, or whatever. I read this book in hopes that it would provide me the tools and motivation to do better this year. I like that Loades includes the important details the gardeners might think they already have a handle on (like hardiness zones), and describes them with enough detail and information for newcomers to understand, but it never felt condescending or trite for even very experienced gardeners.  I found myself nodding as I recognized impulses that I share with the author (like getting impatient and wanting to plant a little to early for me area) but I also got a great deal of little hints and encouragement on how to make getting out there in the garden, even in the colder months, part of a healthy daily routine. I also liked that they emphasized a low stress approach in regards to weeds, and things that will take several weeks of attention. It is much easy to get out there and do what you can, when you can, without the guilt and stress that often creeps in when we look too hard at what needs to be done. I also thought some of the suggestions- like a simple garden diary in some form is great, because it helps you see how the small changes and growth really have made a difference when you cannot see it in the moment. 

The 30-Minute Gardener is a nice and thoughtful read, and a helpful resource for gardeners of all skill levels that need a little help staying motivated with changes and upkeep in a garden. 

Early Book Review: Tiny and Wild: Build a Small-Scale Meadow Anywhere by Graham Laird Gardner

Tiny and Wild: Build a Small-Scale Meadow Anywhere by Graham Laird Gardner is currently scheduled for release on March 7 2023. The word “meadow” might conjure an image of a broad, expansive prairie covering acres of land, but it doesn’t have to. Meadows don’t have to be big to make a difference in the health of the planet. If you choose the right plants, even a small corner of the yard will do. The perks of creating a wild planting, even on a small scale, are many. Tiny but mighty meadows help mitigate climate change, foster biodiversity, sequester carbon, and calm the senses. With as little as a few square feet of space, you can create a beautiful, naturalistic planting that supports a diversity of plants, pollinators, and a plethora of other living things, not to mention its visual appeal to human eyes. The plant lists and charts in Tiny & Wild share the best plants to include in your micro prairie, and Graham offers plenty of practical advice on planting your meadow from seed, transplants, or mature plants, depending on your budget, the site, and your timeline. Plus, learn how to care for your wildflower planting, including tips for watering, plant care, and weed management.

Tiny & Wild is well written and organized, with a page lay out that make the information easy to follow and is enjoyable to look at due to the image selections and placement. Since  like to let some of my garden space be more wild than others, I thought it might be good to make it deliberately that way rather than just sowing a few types of local pollinator friendly seed and let nature happen. This book gave me the tools I needed to plan and more productively create a meadow space in my yard, and better support the wildlife around me in the process. I like that the book offers support and solutions for a wide variety of time and space commitments and also suggests resources that might help in making informed decisions based on location and conditions such as rainfall and sun levels where you might want to start.  I particularly liked the planting suggestions for shady meadow areas- since I have one strip of yard that I have had very little luck with and plan on tackling this year. The sample plant lists by conditions was very helpful in my planning. I am eager to see what the inspiration this book has given me produces over this upcoming year and beyond. 

Early Book Review: Backpack Explorer: On the Nature Trail from the editors of Storey Publishing

Backpack Explorer: On the Nature Trail, from the editors of Storey Publishing, is currently scheduled for release on March 6 2018.  Jumpstart curiosity with this take-along field guide for children ages 4 and up. From worms, birds, and spiders to trees, flowers, and clouds, young explorers learn what to look and listen for wherever they are — whether in a nature preserve, an urban park, or a suburban backyard. Seek-and-find lists, on-the-trail art projects, and discovery games get kids engaged in hands-on learning about nature, and a real pull-out magnifying glass helps them get a close-up glimpse of leaf veins, seed pods, and tiny insects. Filled with activities, checklists, and stickers, this interactive nature guide belongs in every kid’s backpack.

Backpack Explorer: On the Nature Trail is a well organized and accessible guide to take with you for any family outdoor outing. While it would be fantastic to take on a camping trip or long hike, but I think even short walks to the park or an afternoon in the yard could be made more interesting by using the activities and guide. I can see take the book in sections and spending a day talking about trees and plants and trying the creature creation or nature painting ideas with my own children. I think the amount of information and activities make this a book that will get much use from the family. I really liked that the activities are things that can be done as a family, but also by an older child taking the imitative to do them on their own in the back yard or as the family camps. I would suggest previewing the book before hitting the great outdoors, just to see what you might want to focus on or try while you are out there. 

Backpack Explorer: On the Nature Trail is  a wonderful field guide to take out on a family hike, camping trip, or even for short walks or trips to the park. The information and activities are interesting and adaptable for all ages.