When it comes to gardening, there is so much information available. From the internet at our fingertips, to friends who garden, magazines, or one of our personal favorites, books. There’s just something about an old fashion text where you can touch and flip through the pages. Books aren’t for everyone, but there’s something to a pretty library filled with plant related books on a shelf. Maybe you’re not into reading, or don’t have time to sit down to actually read, we get it, life is extremely busy! Consider using Audible! Drives to work can become more relaxing when you listen to Monty Don talk about his days at Longmeadow. So where do you start? Here’s a go-to list for gardening books and why we like them! Each book does have an Amazon link attached for easy ordering if you find a book you’re interested in.
#1- The Nature Fix by Florence Williams- You may be surprised that this book is at the top of our list. It’s certainly not your “how-to” gardening book. What it does do, is truly inspiring. This book connects our need for nature to the health and wellness of the human body. To be honest, we read this book over the COVID lockdown, and it was one of the catalysts for starting The Veranda View in the first place! If you love science and nature, you’ll truly appreciate this read.
#2- The Rooted Life by Justin Rhodes- If you’re on the fence on starting a garden, raising chickens, or going all in on a homestead life, this book is for you! It also helps that “Tight Wad” Justin is truly hilarious. He shares his family’s journey in starting a homestead, the dos and don’ts for gardening and raising chickens. If you’re starting with the basics, his story will inspire you to get out into the yard and go for it!
#3- A Cutting Garden For Florida- by Betty Bar Mackey & Monica Moran Brandies- An oldie, but a goodie! This book may have been written in 1985 and updated in 2001, but the knowledge and experience truly shine through. Betty and Monica have done the leg work for you with years and years of experience growing a cut flower garden in Florida. Our climate is truly unique and can be difficult if the timing of planting is off, but these ladies, they’ve got it figured out! They have when to plant, how to plant, what to plant, for Florida, honestly a rare gem.
#4- Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzakein with Julie Chai– If you haven’t watched the series Growing Floret on Discovery+, ya’ll are missing out. One of my absolute favorite gardening shows, because Erin is just so real. She shares her journey as a flower farmer, both the successes and the failures along the way. This book is absolutely incredible. Granted, there are plants in this book that just will not grow in Florida, but the photographs alone, make this a great addition to the library. She shares tips and tricks, how to design your garden, tool suggestions (I love her tool belt and use it every day!), and of course information on any and every cut flower you can think of.
#5- The Complete Gardener by Monty Don– If there’s one person I aspire to be like, it’s Monty Don. His appreciate and love for all things horticulture is truly contagious. From the cottage gardens, the jewel garden, the vegetable garden, and so many more within Longmeadow, his gardening skills are second to none. In this book he goes in depths on each of his gardens, various plants, gardening basics, and more. With over 400 pages of information to absorb and gorgeous pictures to view, it’s certainly shelf worthy in your library!
#6- Growing Wonder by Felicia Alvarez- Roses, there’s just something about roses that people fear, but through her book, Felicia builds confidences in even the most beginner rose grower. Whether you’re a “weekend warrior,” “everyday gardener,” or an “aspiring rosarian,” there’s simple steps you can learn to be successful with roses. She also goes in depth on growing practices, insects and pests, varieties to plant, and more! Don’t let your fear of failing with roses, get in the way of enjoying one of the most beautiful plants on the planet! Start with this book, and you’ll be good to go.
#7- Vegetable Gardening in the Southeast by Ira Wallace- You already know this if you live in the Southeast United States, but it is completely different than growing in California or Michigan! We have many different insect, disease, and climate issues in the southeast, which can make it challenging to grow your own food. This gardening guide provides month by month advice on what to do with your garden and how! It’s the perfect time to add this book to your library since we are still in January and it’s time to plan out your garden for the year.
#8- Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard by Douglas Tallamy– As the climate changes over the next 20 years, it will be imperative that we focus more on conservation. Doug Tallamy gives insight and statistics on what the average homeowner can do to protect wildlife and the environment. If you want to help with the global biodiversity crisis through just your landscape, this will be an excellent read! It will inspire you to change the way you think about your front and backyard.
We hope that you find one book within this short list that speaks to you. At nighttime it’s quite difficult to garden, so why not gain more knowledge or become inspired through a great book! That’s the best part about gardening, there’s always more to learn and many avenues to grow from. What are you currently reading? We would love to hear what you suggest adding to our own library and reading list! Happy reading and happy gardening!
-Written by Janyel Taylor
The Veranda View 