Garden Books for 2022 Gift Giving

Just in time for holiday shopping, here is a roundup of garden books reviewed in the Home Garden News over the past year. Price ranges are approximate and do not include shipping, if applicable.

Native Plants and Ecology

Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest by Suzanne Simard. New York: Vintage Books, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC, 2021, $15 to $17. Author Suzanne Simard is a University of British Columbia professor who weaves her own biography into her well-researched observations on forest ecology. Hers is a compelling voice for conservation and change.

The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees by Douglas W. Tallamy. Portland, OR: Timber Press, 2021, $20 to $25. Doug Tallamy, the author of Bringing Nature Home and Nature's Best Hope, presents a fascinating overview of the oak as a keystone species. Beginning with October, he takes the reader on a journey through an action-packed year in the life of an oak and its complex interactions with wildlife.

New Naturalism: Designing and Planting a Resilient, Ecologically Vibrant Home Garden by Kelly D. Norris. Beverly, MA: Cool Spring Press, 2021, $19 to $30. This well-illustrated book presents a case for utilizing "plant communities" in gardens. Author Kelly Norris describes the complex relationship between plants and soil. She also provides concrete gardening advice and plant lists.

Wasps: Their Biology, Diversity, and Role as Beneficial Insects and Pollinators of Native Plants by Heather Holm. Minnetonka, MN: Pollination Press, 2021, $40 to $75. The knowledgeable gardener will appreciate this book, which describes wasps' important roles as pollinators and managers of pest insects. In addition to wasp life cycles, anatomy, and diet, Holms discusses the many families of wasps in eastern North America and includes a planting guide to encourage these beneficial insects.

Vegetables and Edibles

Grow Easy: Organic Crops for Pots and Small Plots by Anna Greenlund. London: Mitchell Beazley, 2021, $21 to 25. With a breezy, informal tone, English author Anna Greenlund encourages even those with very little space to grow their own fruits and vegetables. This book features a "top 30" list of edibles to grow and includes recipes.

Growing under Cover: Techniques for a More Productive, Weather-Resistant, Pest-Free Vegetable Garden by Niki Jabbour. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing, 2020, $17 to $25. Halifax resident Niki Jabbour shares her knowledge and experience with constructing microclimates. This book covers the use of plastic sheeting, row covers, cloches, cold frames, or mini hoop tunnels that home gardeners can use to stretch the growing season and grow vegetables throughout the year.

Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden by Jessica Walliser. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing, 2020, $18 to $25. At last! This book cites researched methods of companion gardening, a practice that has long been supported only by anecdotal evidence. Reaching beyond vegetable gardening, Jessica Walliser also makes the case for ecologically sound gardening practices.

General Gardening

The Complete Gardener: A Practical, Imaginative Guide to Every Aspect of Gardening by Monty Don. London: Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2021, $21 to $30. Fans of the BBC television series Gardeners’ World will embrace this book written by its popular host, Monty Don. Others should embrace it too, as it is an extensive, beautifully illustrated encyclopedia of all things gardening, punctuated by Monty Don’s compelling style.

Containers in the Garden by Claus Dalby. Beverly, MA Cool Springs Press, 2022, $23 to $33. Through a generous number of photographs and helpful how-to advice, Claus Dalby helps gardeners achieve dazzling color in their garden through all seasons. His "pottedscape" examples include non-traditional container plants, such as grasses and shrubs.

The Garden: Elements and Styles by Toby Musgrave. London: Phaidon Press Limited, 2020, $42 to $70. This coffee-table book includes color images of more than 400 public and private gardens. There is much for a gardener to admire and learn through the 290 garden "concepts" presented here, from Alpine Garden to Xeriscape Garden.

Gardentopia: Design Basics for Creating Beautiful Outdoor Spaces by Jan Johnsen. New York, NY: The Countryman Press, A division of W. W. Norton & Company, 2019, $18 to $30. Written by an experienced landscape designer, this book offers a myriad of ideas for creating enchanting outdoor spaces. It includes both beautiful garden photography and clever prose, such as "Find the Power Spot," "Respect the Genius of the Place," and "Try Some Yellow and Call Me in the Morning."

Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening: A Gardener's Guide to Growing Flowers, from Today's Favorites to Unusual Varieties by Matt Mattus. Beverly, MA: Cool Springs Press, 2020, $27 to $30. Author Matt Mattus, known for his blog Growingwithplants.com, offers stunning photographs and cultural and historical information about flowers for all seasons, including winter. Along with all-time favorites, Mattus discusses rare, unique, and forgotten flowering plants and where to buy them.

Master Gardener Manual. University Park, PA: Penn State Extension, College of Agricultural Science, The Pennsylvania State University, 2016, $75. What holiday garden book wish list would be complete without the Penn State Master Gardener Manual? An extensive index is now included! This 800-page hardback book provides basic horticultural knowledge in botany; plant propagation; soil health and fertilizer management; plant pathology and diseases; entomology; integrated pest management; lawn care; vegetable gardening; indoor, herbaceous, woody, and native plants; tree fruit and small fruit; weeds and invasive species; pruning; and more!