Part I - Favorite Garden Books of Jodi DeLong and Carole Browne

Loads of books to read. Photo by maubrowncow on Flickr.


On cold winter days nothing beats the pleasure of curling up with a good book and a hot drink. That's especially true for gardeners ... who must patiently wait until Mother Nature allows them to finally play in the dirt again.

That's why I asked some garden writers and bloggers to share their favorite gardening books.  Here's what they had to say:

Jodi DeLong is a garden writer, who lives on 7 acres (Zone 5b) in a rural site in Nova Scotia, Canada, overlooking the Bay of Fundy. 

With "hundreds of books" in her library, Jodi is often found with a good book in her hand. And soon, she'll have her own book to hold when Plants for Atlantic Gardens (authored by Jodi) comes out in February - March 2011.

Meanwhile, here are two gardening books Jodi highly recommends:

Native Plants for North American Gardens by Allan Armitage

"Any of Armitage's books are excellent," says Jodi. "But I am especially fond of this book because he looks at natives using a North American perspective - as opposed to merely a county/state/province perspective."

As Jodi explains, "A plant may not be native to my area, but I still plant it knowing it is native elsewhere. And given the right growing conditions it will prosper here too. I'm not a natives-only sort of gardener but have always been interested in them. Reading Armitage's book gives me a far wider perspective on great plants from our continent."

Another one of Jodi's favorites?

Designing with Plants by Piet Oudolf and Noel Kingsbury

"Anything that Oudolf writes is worth having," says Jodi. "And Kingsbury is no slouch either. I love this book because it shows how to use certain plants - mostly perennials and some grasses - in wonderful ways, with large drifts focusing on texture, light and foliage color as well as flower or seedhead. They edge into four-season gardening, which I love."

Find Jodi:

http://www.bloomingwriter.blogspot.com/

www.twitter.com/bloomingwriter

Carole Brown gardens in Philadelphia (Zone 6b) in a neighborhood more than 100 years old. The many majestic, old trees in her area can sometimes cause problems with roofs and electric services, but they are home to a large number of birds, especially woodpeckers.

As creator of Ecosystem Gardening, Carole says, "My greatest joy is watching the butterflies, bees and birds who call my garden home. Who needs TV?"

Here are two of her favorite gardening books:

Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East
by Carolyn Summers                                                             

 "Many gardeners are reluctant to use native plants in their gardens because of the stereotype that native plants look wild and messy," explains Carole.

"Carolyn Summers breaks this stereotype down," she says, "by teaching gardeners how to design any style of garden using native plants. She covers formal gardens, cottage gardens, knot gardens and even Japanese style gardens. Summers has included plant lists and resources for each garden style, plus an entire chapter on how to best locate and purchase native plants."

Another favorite book explains how to create meadows in your garden.

Urban and Surburban Meadows: Bringing Meadowscaping to Big and Small Spaces

by Catherine Zimmerman

"A meadow is much more than a collection of wildflowers," says Carole. "It is a living ecosystem which supports butterflies, pollinators, birds and other wildlife. Most books about meadows ignore this fact."

According to Carole, this book does a great job of describing how a meadow community is made when native plants are used correctly to create a garden full of life.

"The book thoroughly describes the process," says Carole. "There are helpful tips for evaluating your site, preparing your space, planting your meadow and maintaining it. Plant lists for every area of the country are featured, as well as a thorough list of local and regional resources to help you make the best plant choices for your areas."

Find Carole:

http://www.ecosystemgardening.com/

www.twitter.com/cb4wildlife

Gardening books galore! Photo by Canton Public Library (MI)

So, as the snowflakes fall and the winter temperatures keep dropping, be sure to pull out a good book to keep you inspired. More great book suggestions are coming soon from your favorite garden writers and bloggers. Stay tuned!

Book Review: Complete Idiot's Guide to Heirloom Vegetables

If you've read Seasonal Wisdom before, you know that I love heirloom vegetables. From purple beans and spotted lettuces to long red radishes that look more like carrots ... I'm hooked on the old, open-pollinated vegetables of the past. Especially if they have a charming history behind them as well. 

That's why I was excited that my friend Chris McLaughlin authored the newly released Complete Idiot's Guide to Heirloom Vegetables.  A few months ago, I spoke with Chris on Nest in Style about heirlooms, and she shared stories about these interesting old vegetable varieties. Listen to the interview.

'Chinese Red Noodle' beans are an unique Asian heirloom
that produce all summer.

About the Book:  The new Complete Idiot's Guide to Heirloom Vegetables helps introduce mainstream America to the wonders of heritage vegetables in a simple, conversational language that the general public will appreciate.

Using skills culled from writing for The Herbal Companion, FineGardening.com and other well-known publications, Chris does a good job of bringing alive such subjects as:

• What is genetic diversity in vegetables, and why should you care?
• The sex life of vegetable plants, and why you don't want cross-pollination.
• Ten questions to ask yourself before choosing your heirlooms.
• Some creative ways to share your wealth (of heirlooms seeds), and learn about new types.

Readers will find an entire chapter on seed saving, as well as tried and true gardening tips to help beginners.

Companion planting and beneficial insects are touched upon. Compost is covered briefly too, which isn't surprising as Chris authored The Complete Idiot's Guide to Compost. I was glad to find a chart of seed starting tips with handy information on when to plant, soil temperatures, spacing and germination times.



This beautiful 'Cylindra' beet is a Danish heirloom
that's tender and sweet.

Chris plays fair when explaining the pros and cons of growing hybrid vegetables versus heirlooms -- recognizing that both can bring benefits to our gardens. Sometimes you may want a hybrid tomato plant with extra disease resistance. But at least this book will introduce you to some gorgeous and delicious old heirlooms too.

My favorite part of the book are the descriptions of the individual varieties. Chris describes hundreds of different heirlooms, and even reveals a few histories behind certain ones like 'Mostoller Wild Goose' beans. Personally, I would have liked to have found even more of these fascinating stories in the book.

An extra plus is the companion website http://www.cigheirloomvegetables.com/ with color photos of the described heirlooms. (See examples above.)

My verdict: Gardeners eager to start exploring the world of heirloom vegetables will find lots to like in this new addition to The Complete Idiot's Guide series.

Connect with Chris:

On Twitter: @Suburban_Farmer

On Web: asurburbanfarmer.com

Disclosure: I was provided with a review copy of this book, but my opinion is strictly my own.

Seven Ways to Recycle Christmas Trees

A  pine needle-infused bath is just one
earth-friendly way to reuse your Christmas tree.

About 13 million Christmas trees were cut and sold last year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Unfortunately, many ended up in the holiday trash.

Here are eight better ways to reuse your Christmas tree after the holidays:

1. Recycle It: Many communities around the United States offer recycling programs for properly prepared Christmas trees. First, remove ornaments, tinsel, nails and stands. If your tree is taller than 6 feet, cut in half.

Trees that have been flocked, painted or fireproofed cannot be recycled ... something to keep in mind when you shop for Christmas trees each year.

2. Feed the Birds: Set the tree outside and decorate with orange slices, cranberries or popcorn. The birds will love the winter feast. Be sure to remove all tinsel, lights and decorations first.

3. Chip It: Run Christmas trees through chippers or shredders to make mulch for garden paths. Chips also make effective bulk for compost piles. Always strip trees of decorations first.

4. Mulch: Remove needles and use to mulch garden, conserve water and fight weeds. The needles are especially appropriate for acid-loving plants. Later, use tree to support climbing beans or sweet peas in warmer months.

Photo by doortoriver on Flickr

 5. Protect Wildlife: Consider leaving the tree outside to decompose naturally and provide wildlife cover for birds, rabbits and other small animals. Over time, trees decay and add nutrients to soil.

6. Smell It: Make aromatic portpourri. Combine dry, crumbled needles with cloves, broken cinnamon sticks, dried orange peel and orrisroot. Add a few drops of fir, cedar, pine, orange and/or cinnamon essential oil(s). Keep covered for at least a week so scents blend. Stir regularly. Display in bowls or use as stuffing for scented pillows.

7. Take a Bath: Soaking in a pine needle-infused bath is popular in Europe's Alps. In fact, pine is widely used for muscle pain, rheumatism and circulation problems, according to "The Herb Society of America's Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses," (Dorling Kindersley Publishing, 2001).

For a homemade remedy, infuse pine needles in oil. Fill a glass Mason jar with washed needles and sweet almond oil. Close tightly and place in sunny spot. Steep at least three weeks. For stronger oil, steep longer. Use as a massage or bath oil.

Never use trees sprayed with fire retardant or other artificial substances in bath tea or oil. Ingredients listed here are safe for most people, but always check for skin sensitivities before using.

What's your favorite way to recycle a Christmas tree?

Fun Facts About Christmas

Christmas has a rich history filled with lots of little-known facts. Consider these unusual facts ... or these fun facts you might not know:

Birth of the Sun: Christmas and the winter solstice have more in common than you think. The birth of Jesus was assigned to various dates for more than 300 years, but never much celebrated.

In the fourth century A.D., Roman Emperor Constantine moved the holiday to Dec. 25. The Julian calendar used at the time erroneously considered Dec. 25 to be the winter solstice.

Many early civilizations, including Ancient Rome, believed the winter solstice - the year's longest night - symbolized the birthday of the sun and the return of the light. The annual event was extremely important for these early cultures - depending as they did on the natural elements to survive. The solstice seemed an appropriate day to celebrate Christmas.

Here's a winter solstice menu, with delicious recipes from Helen Yoest, yours truly, Blue Moon Evolution Cafe, and Kelly Senser of the National Wildlife Federation.



The Giving Tradition: Today, it's hard to imagine Christmas without gifts. But it wasn't always so. The tradition dates back to the Ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia, held on the days leading up to the winter solstice. Kalends of January - the New Year - was another important gift-giving time.

As the Greek Libanius explained, "The impulse to spend seizes everyone ... a stream of presents pours itself out on all sides."

This was why the early Church considered gift giving to be a pagan holdover. And they frowned upon the practice for centuries. Instead, gifts were given on Twelfth Night (January 6) instead.

Since that's not the case now, here are last-minute gift ideas from the Nest in Style podcast.

"At Christmas we banquet, the rich with the poor,

Who then (but the miser) but openeth his door?

Thomas Tusser, 1524-1580

A Slow Start: Christmas ranked low as a holiday for centuries. Many traditions had pre-Christian roots and the early Church wasn't keen to accept them. It wasn't until the late Middle Ages that Christmas became popular.

Towns and cities often appointed a Lord of Misrule, who presided over the Christmas entertainment. (Santa didn't come until later.) This Lord of Misrule was typically dressed in colorful clothing and directed elaborate processions, plays and festivities. Their services were an important part of Christmas and these "lords" were hired by such royalty, as the English kings Edward VI and Henry VIII.

The largest Christmas feasts often included roasted peacock and swan ... painted with saffron and "refeathered" right before serving. In 1289, a boar's head served as a stylish centerpiece for the bishop of Hereford.

Want something easier for your holiday party? Here are last-minute entertaining tips from Nest In Style podcasts.

Four strange facts about Christmas you probably didn't know.



However, you decide to celebrate ... may you and your family experience joy, peace and prosperity this holiday season. 

Pattison Golden Marbre Scallop Squash for Summer and Winter

If you've ever grown summer squash, you know how prolific these plants can be in ideal growing conditions. Turn around, and six or seven more crookneck squash are ready to pick. Wait too long, and a zucchini will grow the size of a bat. Even your neighbors may start to look weary when you offer yet another bag filled with squashes. (Although your local food banks would appreciate any extra produce, no doubt.)

Still, summer squash can sometimes seem like too much of a good thing at times.

That's one reason I'm in love with 'Pattison Golden Marbre Scallop' squash. This rare heirloom not only produced loads of squash for me this summer, but also left plenty of winter squash too.

I direct sowed squash seeds in mid-May, after our last frost date. Before long, the bush plant started to provide small yellow scallop squash that tasted sweet throughout the summer. You can see an example of the scallop squash in the middle of the below picture.

Surrounding the 'Pattison Golden Marbre Scallop' squash
(from top, moving clockwise)
'Rosa Bianca' eggplant and greenish 'Ronde de Nice' squash;
blackish 'Little Finger' eggplants; 'Banana' pepper;
striped 'Fairy Tale' eggplants; 'Lebanese White Bush Marrow' squash;
green peppers and 'Calliope' eggplant.

Around three weeks before our last frost date in early-October, I stopped picking the squash. Or, at least, I slowed down picking fruit. (Squash is botanically a fruit, not a vegetable, by the way.) 

The squash eventually grew larger and developed a hard skin that couldn't be dented with a fingernail. That's when I knew it was ready for winter storage. So, I harvested the squash and left a couple inches of stem on each one. Now, the squash are stored for winter, and we've already enjoyed them in two separate dinners.

Today we had our first snow storm of the year. But I'm still enjoying 'Pattison Golden Marbre Scallop' squash, thanks to the amazing productivity of this unique and delicious heirloom.

I found my seeds at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. When I couldn't find information about how to grow both summer and winter squash from this plant, their seed experts were kind enough to answer my questions. Why not see for yourself whether this beautiful squash wins your heart too?

Book Review: Edible Landscaping; Podcast Interview; Book Giveaway Contest

Photographs copyright © by Rosalind Creasy

These days, we take for granted that folks are becoming “locavores,” and growing their own foods in their backyards, side yards and front yards. Why, even the White House has a kitchen garden, for the first time since World War II.

But back in the early 1980s, you were lucky to see a few tomatoes growing in a person’s garden. You certainly weren’t finding the blue potatoes, spotted lettuces, pink beans, striped tomatoes and colorful kales you see today. The old heirloom varieties that we have grown to love now seemed forgotten and under-appreciated back then. But all that has changed.

Photographs copyright © by Rosalind Creasy

And for that, we have much to thank Rosalind Creasy.

It was Rosalind’s book The Complete Book of Edible Landscaping (Sierra Club Books, 1982) that became the bible of edible landscaping nearly 30 years ago. When she first started talking about mixing flowers with edibles back in the early-80s, she was called that “crazy, hippy lady from California,” as she recently told the National Gardening Association.

Fortunately, that “crazy, hippy lady” – who has gone on to write a total of 18 very successful gardening books – has helped change the way we garden in this country. So, it seemed only appropriate that she just launched her new edition of Edible Landscaping, as the nation catches up with her love of edibles.

With more than 300 color photographs, 7 color garden plans and 20 b/w illustrations, Edible Landscaping (Sierra Club Books, 2010) is as delicious looking as it is information rich. Rosalind not only shows ideas from her own famous Northern California garden, but also those of clever edible gardeners around the nation. Listen to our Nest in Style interview with Rosalind and enter to win a copy of this book!!!

Photographs copyright © by Rosalind Creasy

As Rosalind explains, "The whole atmosphere around edible landscaping is different now,” she says. “We have more varieties of attractive edible plants available than ever before. Twenty years ago, few people even knew about heirloom plants, for example. Now it’s easy to find and grow heirloom apples, tomatoes, melons—varieties that people didn’t even know they were missing.”

The design section mixes photography and practical tips to help you leverage Rosalind’s 30 years of landscape design experience. I particularly liked the way she showed how absolutely lovely and luxurious edible plants can be. If anyone you know needs convincing that edibles deserve a star spot in any garden – including your front yard – show them a few pictures from this beautiful book.



Photographs copyright © by Rosalind Creasy

Above is a double-barrel herb garden that Rosalind shows how to make in the book, complete with detailed instructions, materials lists and installation tips.

Another wonderful feature is the comprehensive Encyclopedia of Edibles that provides a concise A-Z of valuable information for growing a wide variety of vegetables, fruit and herbs, using environmentally friendly practices. There are loads of growing tips, culinary uses and recommended varieties. Plus, there is plenty of advice on growing your own food using organic methods.

I was interested to learn from Susan Harris on Garden Rant that Rosalind redoes her edible gardens twice a year, including the hardscaping. The reason is because these gardens are her photo studio, and it shows in her amazing pictures … whether it’s blue teepees supporting beans or passion fruit. Or edible flowers like chives, nasturtiums, arugula and calendula, scattered among equally lovely vegetables and fruit.

I particularly like this shot of blackberries contrasting beautifully with 'polka' climbing roses.

Photographs copyright © by Rosalind Creasy

The best compliment I can give Edible Landscaping is that I already find myself reaching for this book again … and again, whenever I have a question or need a little inspiration for my own garden. It’s almost like having a chance to talk to Rosalind directly. And who wouldn’t want that?
 

 

Speaking of chatting with Rosalind ... here's a behind-the-scenes shot of me and Jayme Jenkins interviewing the edible landscaping guru herself. You can learn more by listening to Rosalind Creasy's podcast interview on Nest in Style. Also enter to win a free copy of the newly released Edible Landscaping. But hurry! Time is running out...

Buy this book! (Disclosure: I was provided a review copy of this book; but I would have bought a copy anyway.)

Upcoming Speaking Appearances

This vintage card of Queen Mary is from riptheskull on Flickr

Seasonal Wisdom is traveling coast to coast soon to talk about gardening ... although not by ocean liner; just good old fashioned air travel.  Here are some places you'll find me speaking in upcoming months:

Idaho Botanical Garden's Rethinking Idaho Landscapes

Boise Centre on the Grove, Idaho

November 13, 2010, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• My presentation: "Simple Ways to Grow Food at Home"
• Keynote speakers: Lauren Springer Ogden and Scott Ogden
• Also appearing: Mary Ann Newcomer

2011 Northwest Flower & Garden Show

Washington State Convention Center, Seattle

February 23-27, 2011

• This huge garden show has the largest roster of horticulture presenters in the world
• "Tips for the Time Crunched Gardener" will be presented by me and my NestinStyle cohost Jayme Jenkins on Friday 1:30 p.m. and Saturday 1:30 p.m.
• The Garden Show's "Incredible Edibles" panel discussion - Saturday 3:30 p.m. Host: Lorene Edwards Forkner; Panelists: Graham Kerr (Galloping Gourmet), Willi Galloway and yours truly

2011 Boston Flower & Garden Show

Seaport World Trade Center, Boston

March 16-20, 2011

• This impressive flower and garden show will focus on container gardening in 2011
• "Growing Groceries in Containers" is scheduled Sunday, March 20 (time TBD). Presenters: me and Jayme Jenkins of NestinStyle

2011 Boise Flower & Garden Show

Centre on the Grove, Boise

March 25-27, 2011

• This flower and garden show is celebrating its 15th year
• "Growing Your Own Groceries" and "Edible Flowers" are topics I'm presenting on Saturday, March 26 (time TBD)

That's the latest. Hope to see you at one of these venues sometime soon...