The holidays are for traditions, relaxing, and taking the time to do things you don’t always have the time to do; like reading! One of Garden Culture’s holiday traditions is putting a list together of our favorite gardening reads. Make it a New Year’s resolution to grab a copy and read your way to becoming a better grower!
Organic Gardening
Successfully grow organic vegetables, no experience required? Sign me up! Organic Gardening for Everyone: Homegrown Vegetables Made Easy is the perfect guide for gardeners looking to jump on the all-natural bandwagon. Author CaliKim promises that growing healthy veggies for the family isn’t difficult, even for those with little time to spend getting their hands dirty. In 2012, she started her organic garden by launching a YouTube channel and asking for help in answering her questions. She learned so much; she had to write a book, offering step-by-step instructions on how to grow the most popular edibles organically in a time-effective way. With a little effort and this book in hand, you’ll be rewarded with delicious plates of fresh food, knowing exactly how they were grown and what’s in them.
A Half Hour A Day
Today’s world is undoubtedly very fast-paced, but almost everyone can take 30 minutes out of their busy schedules to work in the garden. RHS Half-Hour Allotment: Timely Tips for the Most Productive Plot Ever is a perennial classic that promises healthy crops of fresh vegetables throughout the year on just half an hour’s work a day (with the weekends off!). Author Lia Leendertz and the RHS explain the tried-and-tested formula and promise that by following it, we can all eat something fresh from the garden every day of the week. Learn about the best crops and varieties to grow and how to lay your plot out in an efficient manner that attracts beneficial insects and makes gardening enjoyable rather than a chore.
Vertical Gardening
Want to grow an abundance of fruits and vegetables but don’t have a whole lot of space? Then Vertical Gardening: A Complete Guide to Growing Food, Herbs, and Flowers in Small Spaces is the perfect read for you. Author Jason Johns offers expert advice on how to grow all sorts of plants in tight spaces. Ideal for country and urban gardeners alike, Johns helps with plant selection, maintaining ultimate soil conditions, and also offers attractive design ideas that take full advantage of the sun while protecting against the wind and insect infestations. Imagine transforming your balcony or patio into a productive, urban jungle? This book will help you do that.
Herbal Remedies
Who isn’t looking for a more holistic approach to curing what ails us these days? The Herbal Handbook for Homesteaders: Farmed and Foraged Herbal Remedies and Recipes is the perfect bible for those interested in all-natural solutions to common health problems. Have an earache or sore throat? There’s a homemade remedy for that. There are also concoctions for allergy and pain sufferers, or people using prevention as the best medicine. In addition to several recipes, author Abby Artemisia offers a wealth of information about various herbs and flowers and their healing properties, as well as step-by-step instructions on how to make infusions, tinctures, teas, and more.
Low-Light Houseplants
Let’s face it; houseplants are hot right now, but not everybody has bright spaces to help them thrive. Grow in the Dark: How to Choose and Care for Low-Light Houseplants opens a world of possibilities to those living with little natural light. Author Lisa Eldred Steinkopf introduces readers to 50 of the best houseplants to grow in dim or dark rooms. This book is especially useful to city-dwellers living in small apartments who want to get in on the houseplant trend and reap the many benefits associated with greenspaces. Detailed plant profiles will tell you when and how to water the plants while also helping troubleshoot pests and diseases. An informative read that also looks good on your shelf.