DRUMROLL, PLEASE: It’s time to give you a sneak peek at “The Backyard Parables: Lessons on Gardening, and Life” (due January 15, 2013).
If I’ve ever produced something that embodies my mantra of “horticultural how-to and woo-woo”—a blend of philosophical and practical, or spiritual and scientific—this is it.
Part memoir, part handbook. Curious? Watch the video and read a free sample chapter now. It’s all on this page.
THE LECTURE that he’s been giving for a number of years is not-so-subtly called “Kill Your Lawn.” Ecological horticulturist Dan Jaffe Wilder knows that starting over and creating an entire native habitat instead of a lawn isn’t for everyone. But Dan just wants to grab our attention and get us to start to make some changes at least in the way we care for the turfgrass we do want in our landscapes. And maybe give up a little square footage of it to some other kind of more diverse planting, too, like the wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana, inset). Alternative, more eco-focused styles of lawn care, along with some lawn alternatives is what he and I talked about on the podcast. Dan is Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation in Wales, Massachusetts, and its 8,000-acre sanctuary. He’s also co-author with Mark Richardson of the book “Native Plants for New England Gardens.”
(Stream it below, read the illustrated transcript or subscribe free.)
I just pre-ordered your new book. It will be something to look forward to after the holidays.
Pre-ordered months ago. Can’t wait.
So glad another book is coming out. I pre-ordered today. I started reading “and I shall have some peace there” a few weeks ago. I love it — your thoughts on everything from fleeing the golden handcuffs of the corporate world to the challenges and peace one finds in a garden. I relate to so much to all I read there (frogs included!). Now, I have something else to look forward to. Your blog will have to sustain me until then (and it will do so in a most pleasant way).
Thank you, Jackie; so nice of you to say hello and send good wishes. See you soon again, I hope. (And what would life be without frogs?) :)
Hi, Michelle. I will have a pdf of the excerpt soon for those of you not on Facebook, promise. I will email you then!
Here’s a copy and paste from my G+ share:
When I think of Margaret Roach and her garden, I smile—I am so glad both exist. I agree wholeheartedly with this review of her new book: ‘IN MATTERS OF both earth and heart, Margaret Roach is fearless. She digs deep. What she finds, and what she offers in this lyrical memoir of a gardening year, is hard-won wisdom laced with humor, hands-on how-to delivered with a poet’s touch, experience embraced with fervor, humility, and grace.” (Katrina Kenison, author of Magical Journey and The Gift of an Ordinary Day )
If you have an avid gardener in your life, think of this book as a possible gift.
https://awaytogarden.com/the-backyard-parables-by-margaret-roach-due-out-january-15-2013 (if you have a fb acct, you will be able to read an excerpt.)
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Unfortunately I closed my fb acct, but I will pre-order soon anyway. Pass the word, folks!
Looking forward to reading your new book.
Congratulations! I love the spiritual component and your choice of pictures for the cover. Going to order now!
Thanks, Nadia. And I took the cover photo in my backyard (proud moment!). :) See you soon again.
ordered the book…Good Job!!
Happy to have preordered your new book to be delivered all the way to Sweden. I live in Stockholm but my garden is in the north of Sweden. Lots of snow there already. My garden is a rather wild and rustic thing, a couple of weeks ago a lynx walked by only meters from my kitchen window, not a common sight even in that area. Your blog really help me when feeling frustrated about living in the city, and I´m wery thankful to you for that.
Kind regards,
Ulrika
Well, Ulrika, what a very nice message! Thank you. I am envious about the snow — am hoping we, too, will have a proper winter this year. And a lynx! Oh, my. We have the species here that we refer to as “bobcat” (technically Lynx rufus) but you rarely seem them; occasionally around dusk along the edge of the road. They are reclusive — so it’s such a thrill to come upon one! See you soon again, I hope.