I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden
Ruth Stout
To all of our gardening (or garden appreciating) readers:
We’ve hand-picked a list of books to help you greet the spring regardless of where you are, what the weather’s like, or, frankly, what state your garden is in.
If you’re on an avid search for useful horticultural tips and tricks, desire some background and context to enhance your gardening appreciation, or are simply in need of a leisurely mental romp through glorious green spaces (we’re right there with you), there’s a book for you on our AuthorPods spring pick list.
Fiction:
Merry Hall, by Beverley Nichols
Originally published in 1951, Merry Hall is the first book in Nichols’ trilogy documenting the restoration of a dilapidated house and garden in the London suburbs. Nichols’ novel combines a genuine love of gardening with razor sharp wit and boisterous hilarity, prompting The New York Times’ Verlyn Klinkenborg to call it “the very model of gardening insouciance.”
Essay:
The Potting Shed Papers, by Charles Elliott
For anyone in search of gardening variety with an international outlook, Elliott’s collection of essays on gardening practices around the world is a great choice. Elliott seamlessly blends horticultural history with contemporary gardening practices, exploring niche topics sure to delight any garden lover (for instance, the origins of the Japanese fascination with the English Garden, or Ingurishu Gaaden, and the miraculous travels of French explorer and botanist Père Delavay).
Memoir:
The Gardener of Versailles: My Life in the World’s Grandest Garden, by Alain Baraton
In this charming memoir, bestselling author Alain Baraton shares his over 40 years’ experience as gardener-in-chief of the world famous Garden of Versailles. Weaving together personal reflections and the garden’s legendary history, Baraton’s narrative is equal parts philosophical meditation on the gardener’s connection to the earth and practical advice from a dedicated and passionate horticultural expert.
Biography:
Virginia Woolf’s Garden: The Story of the Garden at Monk’s House, by Caroline Zoob
Virginia Woolf’s Garden takes us on an intimate journey through Woolf’s country retreat, a space author Caroline Zoob is uniquely suited to write about, having lived in the property herself. Stunning images by photographer Caroline Arber appear alongside Zoob’s chronological history of Monk’s House and the major events in Woolf’s life that occurred there. Quotations from Woolf’s writings are integrated to emphasize the influence of the garden on the famed author’s literary imagination, making this book a wonderful choice for Woolf fans and gardening enthusiasts alike.
Science:
Decoding Gardening Advice: The Science Behind the 100 Most Common Recommendations, by Jeff Gillman and Meleah Maynard
In their incredibly well-researched gardening work, Gillman and Maynard outline scientific facts to combat common misconceptions about gardening. With so much information readily available online, in print, and from fellow gardeners, the evidence-based advice in this book allows garden-lovers to draw their own conclusions about different practices and theories. An easily-digestible and engaging style makes this slim, comprehensive guide a pleasure to dip into again and again.
Gardening Guide:
The Well-Tempered Garden, by Christopher Lloyd
Famed country gardener Christopher Lloyd’s gardening guide has been considered a masterpiece since its original publication in 1970. The vast knowledge Lloyd imparts serves amateur and expert gardeners alike, as do his philosophies on the wisdom gained through mistakes and the beauty born of surprises. The expansive science-backed explanations are tempered by Lloyd’s personably humorous style. Gardening writer Clare Coulsen swears that if you read only one gardening book, “this should be it.”
