By Casey Schmidt Ahl
It’s the giving season! As a book and plant lover, I’m always on the lookout for the next good read. These are not just books that I like, but ones that I revisit over and over again. While we don’t sell these books, I highly recommend finding your local bookstore, or getting them online.
Our most local bookstore is in downtown Phoenixville: Reads and Co. You can shop their online ordering system here: https://www.readsandcompany.com/browse
Bringing Nature Home
By Doug Tallamy
Doug Tallamy, an entomologist at the University of Delaware, has been leading the charge on bringing native plants into backyards for years now. Bringing Nature Home is an accessible first step into understanding the importance of native plants for your yard. The book walks through Tallamy’s own journey towards a native yard and ecology-based arguments for adding natives to your yard. It’s a quick read and includes guides for native plants for your region and gardening conditions. If you’ve read this one, Tallamy has other books that expand on the subject and are worth a read.
The New Plant Parent
By Darryl Cheng
Are you frustrated by the houseplant recommendation of providing “bright, indirect light?” This book is the most realistic and practical guide for plant care that I’ve read. It gives crucial tips for aspects of houseplant care and sets realistic expectations for some of the most common species. This is my go-to resource for houseplant care and rescue when customers bring in a struggling plant.
The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible
By Edward C. Smith
Consider yourself a pretty good food gardener? You should have this book. New to food gardening? You NEED this book. The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible provides practical resources for growing your own vegetables. The first half of the book focuses on prepping the garden, deciding what to plant, and other skills like making compost and creating supports. The second half of the book gives profiles for each crop with essential information like sowing recommendations, growing tips, harvest and storage, and some common varieties. It’s a great reference book if you’re looking to explore new crop options or need to identify a pest.
The Family Garden Plan: Grow a Year’s Worth of Food
By Melissa K. Norris
Looking to get deeper into homesteading? Want answers to questions like “how many tomatoes should I plant?” This is the best book that I’ve found for planning a production food garden. It provides loads of graphs and worksheets that help you plan your garden and calculate your needs. It has a religious tilt with Bible verses in the beginning of chapters, but even if that isn’t your vibe, you’ll find plenty to use in this book.
Gardening for the Birds
By George Adams
My background is in conservation education, so I am pretty picky about my gardening with wildlife books. My main issue with many versions is that they deal in broad generalities. I love that this book pairs your favorite species of birds with species of plants that they rely on for different parts of their lifecycle. This book works for all regions of the US so get this book for your gardening and birder friends across America.
Once you’re done reading and ready to take what you learned into action, stop by Colonial Gardens for the plants and accessories you need!
Colonial Gardens is an independent garden center located in Phoenixville, PA. We offer a wide variety of plants and gardening accessories as well as landscaping services and a full-service florist.
