Why is it that a ruck of desirable books turn up at more or less all at once just like buses? There's a handful of books that are must reads for me at the moment but I am trying to be restrained in my buying. The one that I could not simply resist arrived in the post on Friday morning and I am looking forward to having a linger over its pages in the next few days. My favourite gardening activity has always been propagating plants, whether it be from seed, division or cuttings etc. so I just had to buy Carol Klein's 'Grow Your Own Garden'. I have only had a quick peek so far but I think that I will be making good use of this book. There are chapters on seeds, stem cuttings, stem cuttings, leaves, root cuttings, bulbs, tubers and rhizomes, layering, division, offsets, ferns and aftercare. The book concludes with a section on matching plants to techniques. Carol's enthusiastic personality seems to come shining out of the pages and her passion for the subject is evident.
Other books on my must read list include Steven Anderton's biography 'Christopher Lloyd: His Life at Great Dixter'. Then there's Matthew Wilson's 'Landscape Man: Making A Garden' (television series due to start later this week). I am hoping that I might be able to procure these from my local library which has already recently come good with Alys Fowler's 'The Edible Garden'.
The only downside at the moment is there just does not seem to be enough hours in the day to fit everything in so reading tends to take somewhat of a back seat. Oh well perhaps it is just as well that the last book on my list does not come out until almost November! If I dare mention the C word without being cast out into the outer edges of blogland, Anna Pavord's book 'The Curious Gardener: A Gardener's Year' looks as if it will be the perfect seasonal present to myself. Meanwhile have I missed any other new gardening books this spring? All suggestions welcome.
I don’t have any recommendations on new books, but I have also noticed this one on Amazon.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna
ReplyDeleteTreat yourself.
The magpie in me will inevitably drop these books into my amazon basket.
You might want to check out 'The plant Propagator's Bible' by Miranda Smith, full of great tips and advice.
I am currently reading the Christopher Lloyd book but hadnt picked up on the Carol Klein book - oh dear off to visit Amazon
ReplyDeleteBy the way my Mathisella has shooted from the bits of roots left in the ground when I moved it - so def can propogate from root cuttings
I love reading gardening books, but also find that reading takes a backseat. I usually have a read when I go to bed, but end up falling asleep before I've got to the bottom of the page.
ReplyDeleteI'm not very good at exercising restraint when buying books and I may well have to purchase the Carol Klein one now! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMy book list is EVER extending too Anna - and not just gardening books, but I do try and find some time to dip in and out. As you say there are not enough hours in the day!
ReplyDeleteI love reading about the history and traditions of gardening - one of my favourites being 'Sacred Gardens' by Martin Palmer and David Manning (always mentioned on my book list). Focussing on beautiful and tranquil places from around the world - from monastic herb gardens and Islamic gardens to the sensory garden and Buddhist gardens. Very calming and inspirational.
I think Carol Klein is great - she is the only reason I watch GW these days. Enjoy your gardening and reading Anna.
Jeanne
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Dear Anna, I do agree that one seems to not be tempted for a while by anything that is published and then suddenly several titles appeal at once.
ReplyDeleteI have collected books on and by Christopher Lloyd over many years but the Stephen Anderton [a writer I usually enjoy] book was very badly reviewed and this has somewhat put me off.
Increasingly, I buy fewer new gardening books since I feel that secondhand books represent better value and, often, have advice that stands the test of time. I do, also, try to avoid Amazon in support of my local bookseller.
I haven't bought a gardening book for awhile. I think I'm always so overwhelmed by the choices that I can't make a decision. I hadn't heard of Carol Klein, it sounds like a great book.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, thanks for highlighting that Carol Klein has another book out, I completely missed this...I have her 'Grow your own Veg' and 'Cook your own Veg' so I can't wait to get this new one, it sounds very interesting and I do so love her own garden. We've just finished putting up some more bookshelves this week as the bookcase was heaving so I have some space now and no excuse not to treat myself!
ReplyDeleteI love reading gardening books and love your list here. I hadn't picked up that Anna Pavord has a new book coming out either so thank you. I love her writing and might have to put it on my C list too!
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, The Carol Klein book looks like a goodie - since I have so many gardening books (some quite old but still good - would make a good post to show some!), I usually try to check them out of the library. I've heard of the Anna Pavord book - sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeletePer Edith Hope, I checked out a David Hick's tome on flower arranging - it was published in the early 70's but was really interesting and, I thought, progressive for the time.
Anna, I always love to hear about new garden books, and this looks like it would be a good one for me. I'll have to see if it's available in the US. My favorite of this year was Andrea Wulf's The Brother Gardeners. -Jean
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading gardening books but haven't bought one in a while, because I haven't a spot on a single bookshelf left. In fact I have garden books stacked on a table. I confess I own too many, but I reread them all, so I really do need them, right? Anyway, now I make myself get them from the library. I like to read them in the summer when it's too hot here to do much gardening.
ReplyDeleteAnna, these all sound so good, I can hear my bookshelves groaning at the thought of more friends.
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ReplyDeleteNo recommendations for new books(still have some waiting to be read) but a couple of my all-time favourites are "Fighting Like the Flowers" by Lawrence D. Hills and "The Well Tempered Garden" by Christopher Lloyd, not "how to" books but inspirational reads.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pity Carol Klein didn't become the main presenter of Gardeners' World, she would have been perfect and, I think, would have encouraged many "lapsed" viewers back to the programme.
Carol Klein's book looks excellent; propagation is something I don't feel 100% confident about, so I may have to add this to my collection!
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