Maegan-Leigh JacobsIn the ever-evolving world of gardening, staying informed and inspired is crucial for cultivating a thriving green space. As we step into 2024, a plethora of new and insightful gardening books have emerged to guide both beginners and seasoned enthusiasts.
Here’s a curated list of must-have gardening books that deserve a spot on your shelf this year:
1. The New Kitchen Garden
Image: Amazon
The New Kitchen Garden by Anna Pavord is a treasure trove for those passionate about cultivating their kitchen garden. Pavord, with her profound knowledge, transforms the concept of a kitchen garden into an art form. This book is not just about planting and harvesting; it’s an invitation to weave beauty and practicality into your edible garden. Pavord’s approach is both refreshing and inspiring, guiding readers through creating a kitchen garden that’s as aesthetically pleasing as it is fruitful. It’s an essential guide for anyone looking to elevate their culinary garden beyond just function to a form of personal expression.
2. The Well-Gardened Mind
Image: Amazon
In The Well-Gardened Mind, Sue Stuart-Smith delves into the therapeutic aspects of gardening. This book presents a compelling exploration of how the rhythm and nature of gardening can positively impact mental health. Stuart-Smith, a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, combines her clinical knowledge with poignant personal and historical anecdotes, illustrating gardening’s role in psychological healing and well-being. It’s a profound read that offers a refreshing perspective on the relationship between nature, gardening, and the human psyche.
ALSO READ: How to grow a kitchen garden with your favourite herbs
3. A Year Full of Veg
Image: Sarah Ravens/Instagram
Sarah Raven is known for her love of flowers but is also a vegetable gardener and cook. She shares 30 years of learnings from growing ‘for abundance, flavour and ease’. The growing year is divided into two rather than the traditional four seasons, given how the climate is changing and many crops do well sown at different times. I also like the idea of ‘unbuyables’ – crops that are difficult to find in the shops.
4. The Little Book of Houseplants & Other Greenery
Image: The Plant Society
House plants are having a moment. Inexpensive to purchase, easy to care for, and a statement in any space they inhabit, growing these plants is virtually foolproof.
The Little Book of House Plants and Other Greenery is a source of green inspiration for small-space gardening, featuring a directory of 60 of the most popular varieties of foliage to own. From dramatic palms and tropical leafy wonders to beautiful ferns and flowering potted plants – this book covers everything you need to know about nurturing and growing your own. Each of the 60 plants is accompanied by luscious photography and an easy-to-follow breakdown of all the essential requirements for that variety. This includes details on size, growth, and flowering, along with any extra tips on caring for that specific plant.
5. Make Your own Indoor Garden: How to Fill Your Home with Low Maintenance Greenery
Image: Takealot
Having and maintaining an indoor garden can be possible for anyone, the book will give you step-by-step guides to creating and designing your own terrariums, cacti & succulent gardens, and even kokedamas (Japanese for Moss Ball). It includes descriptions of the equipment needed, and how to find this inexpensively so that the hobby is accessible to everyone. Readers of the book will discover a newfound joy of plants and nature as well as learn a brand-new skill.
The book goes into detail about what may be causing damage to a plant, and how to look after plants so that they last. It also focuses on how plants can improve physical and mental health, to encourage readers to fill their homes with greenery for practical and aesthetic reasons.
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