Category Archives: Gardening

The Flower Workshop

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Chezar, Ariella. The Flower Workshop. USA: Ten Speed Press Publishing. 2016.

flwoerworkshop

SUMMARY:
Beautiful ideas, gorgeous arrangements, timely presentations and easily followed directions all accompany the stunning photographs in author Ariella Chezar’s new book, The Flower Workshop. Included designs range from simple to a bit more involved, as well as cover arrangements for wreaths, displays, celebrations and tables. All uniquely patterned for full enjoyment, flowers certainly add charm, sophistication, contentment and spirit to any location adorned. Known for her flower workshops, the author provides step-by-step instructions, advice and philosophy, and various options for success, all with beauty in mind.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Though by no means overly artistic, even I was able to easily and enjoyably create a masterpiece (in my mind anyway) for my front door. With years of experience in flowers, author Ariella Chezar effectively details how to design bouquets, vases, wreaths, garlands and arrangements to meet any needs and/ or grace any site. The photography only enhances a wonderful how-to book made for the novice yet embraced by the more advanced; this book is perfect as a gift or for personal use.

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of The Flower Workshop from Blogging For Books for my honest review*

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The Bee-friendly Garden

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Frey, Kate. LeBuhn, Gretchen. The Bee-friendly Garden: Design an abundant, flower-filled yard that nurtures bees and supports biodiversity. USA: Ten Speed Press. 2016.

bee-friendlygarden

SUMMARY:
With more than 30 percent of our food crops as well as 70 percent of the foods we eat depending and benefiting from bee pollination, all types of bees are vitally important to the earth. Stress, parasites, pesticides, habitat loss, and urban development have all recently led to the loss of our friends, the bees. Through tackling myths and facts, describing the basic needs of bees, detailing their importance and helping to generate and preserve the bees’ environments, authors Kate Frey and Gretch LeBuhn share the importance of healthy gardens full of bee-friendly plants. Complimented by gorgeous photographs of bees and gardens, The Bee-friendly Garden is sure to inspire…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Having recently studied the importance of bees and their landscape needs, this beautiful book was perfect as the next step. Along with learning about bee habitats, I also learned quite a bit about all the different types of native bees, from markings and colors to flight patterns (the Honeybee is capable of flying in bad weather due to their ability to shiver and raise their temperature). Not only interesting but so necessary in the preserving of the bee, this book is sure to delight, teach and improve gardens country-wide…I know my front garden will be all the better for it!

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of The Bee-friendly Garden from Blogging For Books for my honest review*

The Postage Stamp Vegetable Garden

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Newcomb, Karen. The Postage Stamp Vegetable Garden: Grow Tons of Organic Vegetables in Tiny Spaces and Containers. USA: Ten Speed Press. 2015.

SUMMARY:
gardenThe best-selling guide on gardening productively in small spaces is now completely revised and updated.  Be those tiny spaces a garden plot or container, Karen Newcomb shares how to plan your garden, ready the ground and soil, when and how to plant/ water, which vegetables and herbs to pick, how plants get along and controlling pests and diseases. With extended knowledge and information on the many different types of each vegetable, including maturation, color and taste of vegetable, difference between varieties and the seed source, The Postage Stamp Vegetable Garden is worthy of all levels of gardeners.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
With a healthier lifestyle popular now, a push for local produce, new cooking habits and my own recent review of Salad Love, how could I not review and utilize a book on gardening? Just flipping through the book, I learned so much about the assortment of vegetables, new ideas for my cooking (ingredients to try), and how to plant and maintain my own fruitful garden. With specific yet variable directions, most anyone could grow a prolific garden of vegetables and herbs with the help of this book (including me). Revised and updated with very useful information, I truly will use, share and reference this book often in the planning of my garden. Now, if only the weather would cooperate…

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of The Postage Stamp Vegetable Garden from Blogging for Books for my honest review*