Spring will be here soon and that means also means that gardening time is almost here. Many people who are still concerned about the economy outlook are cutting costs to save money. Growing some of your own food can definitely help cut costs, the food tastes better, and there is personal satisfaction in having a nice garden.
There are many different aspects to consider before heading to the backyard to get dirty. You want to get as much produce from as little space (and effort) as you can, which requires planning. The books that I am going to suggest will help with the planning of your garden from the soil to use, to the space required, to which plants you should grow. Many of these books you can get from your own library but I will include links to purchase them online.
1. Gardening for Dummies, 2nd Edition. This is written by Michael MacCaskey, Bill Markin, and the editors of the National Gardening Association. This book is well organized and has a great deal of information and tips. It is easy to read, so even though there is a large amount of information it does not become overwhelming to take in. There are pictures, a map, and great money saving tips and techniques. If you know that you want a specific garden (like just an herb garden), then check out Herb Gardening for Dummies, Organic Gardening for Dummies, or any of the other “for Dummies” books. Check out your local library or buy them at Amazon: www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss
2. Beginner’s Guide to Gardening by the Reader’s Digest Association. This is a great compilation of information, pictures, maps, and explanations. There is so much helpful in this book that it takes more than one session to read it. It has great pictures for many plants, so that you can get an idea of what they would look like in your own garden. This is a wonderful guide on getting started but make sure that you do not try to take it in all at once and get discouraged. Just read it piece by piece and follow the guide to get an understanding of what to do with your own garden. Find it at your local library or buy it on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Beginners-Gardening-Editors-Readers-Digest/dp/0762104988/ref=sr_1_1
3. Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew. This book is all about getting as much as you can from the space that you have. It will help you plan out your garden in a way that will create more space and eventually more produce. It is a wonderful book, especially for people who are working in limited backyards or sideyards. It has many tips and tricks to learn and there is even a cookbook called Square Foot Gardening Cookbook, which helps you get the most out of your plants in the kitchen. Check out your local library or buy it at Amazon: www.amazon.com/Square-Foot-Gardening-Garden-Space/dp/1579548563/ref=sr_1_3
4. The Weather Resilient Garden by Charles W.G. Smith. This book really shows you how to create a garden that will stand up to the weather in your area. This is a good read because it will help you to understand what is more likely to survive and produce well wherever you live. He also goes into detail about how to heal plants that have been hurt by the weather already and how to protect them from getting hurt worse. There is even a top 100 list of weather resilient plants. It is a great book with wonderful information. Find it at your local library or buy it at Amazon: www.amazon.com/Weather-Resilient-Garden-Defensive-Approach-Landscaping/dp/1580175163/ref=sr_1_1
5. The Garden Primer by Barbara Damrosch. This book is very user-friendly and easy to read. It covers many of the basics and is an overall guide of how to put together whatever type of garden appeals to you. It is easy to get a focus for what type of garden you want after you read this book. There is a ton of practical advice and it is all well organized to be most effective for the reader. Grab it at your local library or buy it at Amazon: www.amazon.com/Garden-Primer-Second-Barbara-Damrosch/dp/B001O9CBEY/ref=sr_1_1
I hope that these books will give you a great foundation for starting your own garden! They have been a large help to me and my family and I still go back to them for reference. So enjoy the books and good luck with your gardens!
