via Country Home magazine
Let no one think that real gardening is a bucolic and meditative occupation. It is an insatiable passion, like everything else to which a man gives his heart. ~Karel Čapek, The Gardener’s Year
Obviously, since none of this is possible, I must then read about gardens and gardeners instead. I think of this as a kind of mental preparation for when I once more have a garden of my own. Whenever that may be.
The Gardener’s Year by Karel Čapek
First published in Prague in 1929, The Gardener’s Year combines a richly comic portrait of life in the garden, narrated month by month, with a series of delightful illustrations by the author’s older brother and collaborator, Josef. Capek’s gardeners—all too human, despite their lofty aspirations—often look the fool, whether they be found sopping wet, victims of the cobralike water hose, or hunched over, hands immersed in the soil, “presenting their rumps to the splendid azure sky.” In their repeated folly, Capek gives us not only cause for laughter but also, in the end, “testimony of the imperishable and miraculous optimism of the human race.” (Modern Library)
Down the Garden Path by Beverley Nichols
Ostensibly an account of the creation of a garden in Huntingdonshire in the 1930s, it is really about the underlying emotions and obsessions for which gardening is just a cover story. The secret of this book’s success — and its timelessness — is that it does not seek to impress the reader with a wealth of expert knowledge or advice. Beverley Nichols proudly declares his status as a newcomer to gardening: “The best gardening books should be written by those who still have to search their brains for the honeysuckle’s languid Latin name.” (Timber Press)
Elizabeth and Her German Garden by Elizabeth von Arnim
I love this book. I recommend it incessantly, reread it at least once a year, and can (and do) quote from it at will. Elizabeth’s enthusiasm for her garden, her eagerness to be always in it, far exceeds her actual knowledge of gardening but that is what makes her so charming. I am also inordinately found of her husband, the indulgent Man of Wrath.
I am always happy (out of doors be it understood, for indoors there are servants and furniture), but in quite different ways, and my spring happiness bears no resemblance to my summer or autumn happiness, though it is not more intense, and there days last winter when I danced for sheer joy out in my frost-bound garden in spite of my years and children. But I did it behind a bush, having a due regard for the decencies. (p. 2-3)
A Countrywoman’s Notes by Rosemary Verey
It would be rather irresponsible to write a list of books about gardening and not include something by Verey, don’t you think?
Dear Friend and Gardener: Letters on Life and Gardening by Beth Chatto and Christopher Lloyd
Simon T read this a few years back , describing it as “a small window on a practice I know nothing about, but also a thriving love of gardening that is both alien and captivating to me.”
Let Us Now Praise Famous Gardens by Vita Sackville-West
In this unique gardening chronicle Vita Sackville-West weaves together simple, honest accounts of her horticultural experiences throughout the year with exquisite writing and poetic description. Whether singing the praises of sweet-briar, cyclamen, Indian pinks and the Strawberry grape, or giving practical advice on pruning roses, planting bulbs, overcoming frosts and making the most of a small space, her writings on the art of good gardening are both instructive and delightful. (English Journeys)
Other suggestions:
Virgins, Weeders and Queens: A History of Women in the Garden by Twigs Way
We Made a Garden by Margery Fish
The Morville Hours: The Story of a Garden by Katherine Swift
Back to the Garden by Ursula Buchan
The Beauties of a Cottage Garden by Gertrude Jekyll
Can you recommend any favourite garden/gardening-related books?
The Captive Reader 
I miss it too. We live on the middle floor of a three storey house. We ostensibly have a balcony but it was torn down last year and they’ve yet to rebuild it – we had herbs growing there the previous two years. The backyard is tiny and messy and where our downstairs neighbour’s dog runs around, pissing on everything. So no luck there. My mum has an amazing garden, and I miss it heaps. She’s a big fan of Beverley Nichols but his books are so hard to find! She read all his books about his garden and his cats.
I have to confess I don’t read books about gardens. I have one called Napoleon, the Empress and the Artist: The Story of Napoleon & Josephine’s Garden at Malmaison which I got years ago and still haven’t read! It just sounded so interesting. Josephine had a menagerie didn’t she, full of exotic animals.
oops, sorry for the long comment!
Don’t worry, I love long comments! I can’t say I know much about Josephine but that book does sound rather intriguing.
Are you familiar with Elizabeth Lawrence and her garden writing? She is best known for her advice about gardening in the southern US, but her plant knowledge is amazing and her style engaging. I’m currently reading her biography, No One Gardens Alone, by Emily Herring Wilson.
No, I’d not heard of her. Will keep an eye out though! Thanks for the recommendation.
I’m not a gardener, but I do love gardens! I’ve heard of Elizabeth and Her German Garden recently and it does look good. Have you been to the Reader Rock Garden in Calgary? It’s off Macleod Trail but so peaceful and beautiful there, with a little cafe and different gardens. I always wish I went more often.
I’ve never even heard of Reader Rock Garden! Will definitely put it on my to do list for the summer.
I love gardens, love being outdoors, love putting my fingers in the dirt – but my garden never looks as gorgeous as the gardens in books. So thankyou for sharing these reviews, maybe on a cold winters day, when getting outside is not so possible, I could find a book about gardens to enjoy.
Winter is absolutely the best time to read about gardens! In the summer, reading about gardening (when I have a garden) makes me feel ridiculously inadequate but in the winter there’s always the possibility (albeit slim) that come spring my garden could be as perfect as the ones I read about.
There is a wonderful Virago book of women gardeners that I bought a friend for her birthday.
Thanks! I’ll keep an eye out for that.
Wonderful list of gardening books! I have a garden but still love to read about gardening especially in the winter. Morville Hours is wonderful. Michael Pollan’s book Second Nature: A Gardener’s Education is also a good one.
I’d seen the Michael Pollan title around – glad to hear it’s worth checking out!
I’ve yet to read Elizabeth and Her German Garden, but I recently finished its companion, The Solitary Summer, and I absolutely love it! Clearly I need to read Elizabeth and Her German Garden too.
Yes, yes, you need to read it! I’m looking forward to, eventually, tracking down a copy of The Solitary Summer; I’m sure I’ll enjoy it too!
Way behind in reading my blogs. I have read and loved both of these – plus several others of her books. If you like dogs, try to get her “All the dogs of my life”. She’s a fascinating woman – did you know that EM Forster was tutor to her children. What a woman and what a life!
I know less than nothing about gardening, but I did read a book of letters between Christopher Lloyd and Beth Chatto called Dear Friend and Gardener. Interesting because of their personalities, but none of the gardening stuff made much sense to me…
And I can’t believe I’ve still only read one E von Arnim book! Must Do Better…
I’ve only read one E von Arnim book so far too, it just happened to be this one!