Book Review: The Urban Garden
As you probably know, I live in a rural area and have a big garden. Even so, I’m always mindful of the fact that most folks garden in smaller spaces. When I heard about a new book focusing on that very topic, I knew I needed to read it. I’m so glad I did because it is filled with wonderful ideas!
The Urban Garden * by Kathy Jentz and Teri Speight (Cool Springs Press, 2022, 208 pp.) is filled with tantalizing photos that are sure to provide inspiration. The authors emphasize the importance of taking the time to survey your surroundings so you can make the most of the spaces you can grow in.
Here is a sampling of what you will find:
In Chapter 1 (Clever Containers), there are so many options for gardening in containers: stock tanks, window boxes, hanging troughs, grow bags, wheeled planters and more. There are plenty of great tips to ensure your success, including size recommendations and the logistics of setting them up.
Chapter 2 (Creative Flower Gardening) focuses on easy-care perennials and drought-tolerant plants, as well as recipes for eye-catching window boxes. Annuals that will provide a longer bloom period, fragrant plants, and selections that will add color to your garden during the winter months are also included.
Chapter 3 (Food Growing) especially caught my eye since I love growing edible plants. The authors suggest fun projects such as a “salad table,” how to grow root crops in containers, useful supports and trellises to take advantage of vertical growing space, how to grow herbs and small fruit trees, and how to make your own compost.
Chapter 4 (Garden Entertaining) highlights some great ideas to get the most out of your urban garden, including the creation of sitting and dining areas, the use of décor, fire pits, and so on.
In Chapter 5 (Intensive Gardening for Small Spaces), the authors pass along sage advice about not trying to do too much within your garden space and many ways to get the most out of it.
Chapter 6 (Gardening Styles for Small Spaces) focuses on going with a theme within the garden or creating garden rooms. Some suggestions include a moon garden, Asian garden, cottage garden, a potager, or medicinal herb garden. They identify the key components of each and how to achieve them.
Chapter 7 (Privacy Boosters) covers shady retreats, how to add structures that screen out the surrounding areas, water features to drown out noise, and ways to make your garden private but neighborly.
Chapter 8 (Recycled & Repurposed Inspiration) discusses eco-friendly ways to add style and function to your growing space.
Chapter 9 (Small Space Solutions) includes design concepts that work, no matter how big or small your garden is.
Chapter 10 (Supporting Urban Wildlife) looks at plant choices to help pollinators and birds. This might include building an insect hotel to attract beneficial insects, installing birdhouses or selecting native plants.
Chapter 11 (Vertical Growing Ideas) fills you in on ways to maximize your space by growing up, rather than out. This includes the use of ladders, trellises, roof top spaces, espaliered trees, planting pockets, and stacked planters.
As you can see, this is a very informative book that is absolutely packed with great ideas for putting your own stamp on your urban garden space!
* The link at the top of this review is an Amazon Affiliate link. This means I will receive a small commission if you purchase the book through this link. It will not impact the price you pay at all.