Terra's Garden
Monthly Column by Terra Hangen

Like me, do you believe that gardening feeds the soul? Here are ten books I recommend that will nurture the souls of gardeners, and make great gifts at Christmas or at any time of the year.  

People with Dirty Hands: The Passion for Gardening by Robin Chotzinoff. I grabbed this book in a bookstore, drawn to its title, and had to buy it. The author writes compelling essays with some of them reading like adventure stories. Two of my favorite chapters were about Texas Rose Rustlers (it inspired me to want to become one), and “Heat”, as the author journeys down long dusty roads to meet New Mexico hot chile pepper growers. Harcourt Brace and Company. 1994. $22.00

Gardening with God: Light in the Darkness by Jane Mossendew. The author has created a book of daily meditations, with sketches of a different plant for each day, Bible readings and information on the plant’s connections to Christian faith and growing tips. The book begins with Advent, “the dark road that leads to the true light of Christmas.” Burns and Oates. 2002. $21.95 

The New York Times 1000 Gardening Questions and Answers: Based on the Column: Garden Q & A by Leslie Land. 864 pages and hundreds of line drawings on every garden topic, from flowers and herbs to lawns, soils and garden pests. Every gardener can find answers in this book to thorny garden problems. Workman Publishing, 2003. $19.95

Roots, Shoots, Buckets and Boots: Gardening together with Children by Sharon Lovejoy. Lyrical watercolors and lively text explain how to create 12 theme child-friendly gardens, including a Moon garden, and a Pizza garden. Even though I’m not gardening with children now, I had to buy this book for its clever and good-natured ideas. A must have for anyone of any age who likes fun, quirky garden themes. Workman Publishing, 1999. $13.95 

The Organic Home Garden: How to Grow Fruits and Vegetables Naturally by Patrick Lima. Mouthwatering color photos of fruit and vegetable gardens, and delightful explanations of how to grow everything from apples to zucchini. This book makes growing food organically simple and inviting. Firefly Books, 2004. $19.95 
 

American Horticultural Society A to Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants by Henry Marc Cathey. Loaded with 6,000 color photos and 15,000 entries. Wow. Find what you need to know here. Dorling Kindersley, 1997. $64.00

MaryJane's Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook: For the Farmgirl in All of Usby MaryJane Butters. Lavishly illustrated and not strictly a gardening book, this author celebrates the country life with ideas like growing winter salad, sprouting seeds, craft projects, recipes and making rag dolls. Clarkson Potter, 2005. $35.00

Green Thoughts: A Writer in the Garden by Eleanor Perenyi.For days when you can’t get out and garden, or need some inspiration in a dark and dreary moment, pull out this book and read an essay or two by this writer who is at times whimsical, at other times informative, and sometimes cranky. She covers topics from worms to Spanish conquistadors and horticulture, creating a bit of a gardening memoir for her 30 years gardening in Connecticut. Her essay “A woman’s place” is her take on women gardening beginning with Eve. Modern Library. 2002. $14.95 

Garden Primer by Barbra Damrosch. Based on her goal of keeping gardening simple, the author offers sound advice on growing annuals, perennials, roses, herbs, vines, tress, houseplants and the basics on topics like soil and the importance of N-P-K ratios in fertilizers. This book is much loved by many gardeners, including me. 688 pages, black and white illustrations. Workman Publishing. 1988. $17.95

 

Garden of the Soul: Cultivating Your Spiritual Life by Keri Wyatt Kent. The author explores how growing plants and growing as Christians have similar rhythms and motivations. She shares lots of good tips, tells stories about her life and gardening, and relates Anne Lamott’s favorite prayers “Help, help, help” and “Thanks, thanks, thanks”. The author says that like a plant needs water, we need prayer daily. Intervarsity Press. 2002. $11.00

 

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About the Author: For more of Terra Hangen's garden tidbits, fun garden photos of her black squirrel friend, tips for beginning writers, and a glimpse into her own journey as a writer visit her blog at http://terragarden.blogspot.com. She is celebrating the publication of her first book, Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts, written with 6 Christian writer friends, and scheduled for publication Oct. 2008 by Leafwood Publishers.