When I started out gardening, I had no set plan in mind. It was all trial and error mixed with a little bit of luck. Fast forward to five years later, now I'm looking to garden smarter. The more planning you get done before you actually pick up a shovel really does pay off. That's where this helpful new book comes in. Smart Start Garden Planner: Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Successful Season by Megan Cain is destined to be sitting on everyone's book shelf.
This book will lead you through creating a vision, understanding different types of seeds, creating your planting schedule and more. If you are a beginner looking for some direction, or even if you are a more experienced gardener looking for some guidance, this book is for you! I am on board with the personalized garden planning approach. Instead of being one set of instructions, it allows you to make it your own with suggestions and advice. It's like hiring your very own garden coach without having an empty wallet at the end of the day! Plus, more money for those garden supplies!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Inside the pages, you will find a place to reflect, plan and grow. It is filled with inspirational photography that will get those wheels spinning. With spring just days away, I'm really itching to get outside even though there is still snow on the ground. This is the perfect distraction for me at the moment. Gives me a place to channel my energy into something positive that I can use as the season progresses. Megan helps you take the guess work out of simple questions you have like, how long will take you to grow a certain crop.
If you have become familiar with planting seeds, you already know how rewarding it can be. You also might know how much of a challenge it can turn into if you are starting out without a clue as to what you are doing! When I first started out, I didn't even know what certain seeds looked like let alone how to plant them correctly. Those little microscopic sized seeds? A little bit perplexing for the beginner. This book takes you through all those steps and even provides a helpful seed and plant shopping list.
I really enjoy Megan's hands-on approach and how she includes helpful guides for every gardener. You will find schedules, lists and even a cheat sheet with a place to write in your own notes. I am a worker bee when it comes to gardening. I always have a giant binder filled with plans, drawing and seeds. This is the perfect addition to my collection. It gives me a place to jot down ideas and keeps my thoughts organized. If you are looking to start planning things out and creating your very own binder, this will lead you through that.
Whatever level of gardening you are at, this will be your go-to guide. This book is like a compass, and will keep you from getting lost or overwhelmed along the way. It is technology friendly with links to places you can print out these charts and guides. She also provides links to helpful online videos. This book allows you to get into the mind of a successful gardener and replicate that success for yourself!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I became familiar with Megan through her garden website and blog, The Creative Vegetable Gardener. I started looking forward to her weekly newsletters, and found her articles and posts so inspiring. Recently, she has published some helpful articles including her favorite seed starting resources HERE and garden planning resources HERE. I've learned that we both started gardening in our mid-twenties. We also both drink daily smoothies, favor spinach and love to read! She currently resides in Wisconsin where she teaches gardening programs to children and adults alike. She has developed one of the early kids gardening programs in Madison on a half-acre youth farm.
I strive to emulate her minimalistic approach to gardening along with her adventurous nature of traveling the world. The only other country I've been to is Canada, but I'm hoping to change that one day soon. She has received the top 10 gardening blog award from Better Homes and Gardens and her work has been featured on Apartment Therapy. She has spread her love of gardening through speaking, and gave a TED talk about this. Megan is a force to be reckoned with, and I can't wait to follow along and see what she does next! Make sure you check out her website and follow along with her on social media. Sign up for her newsletter as well. It is filled with such helpful tips!
I want to thank Megan for inviting me to review her new book. Now that it's almost spring, this is the perfect time to pick up a copy. It will help you focus on exactly what you are looking for this season while guiding you towards gardening success. What are you looking forward to most this spring? Is there one specific bulb you are anticipating, or maybe, like me, you are itching to dig in the dirt again and get planting! Tell me all about it in the comment section below. Don't forget to click the button below and get your very own copy! Happy gardening!
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8 Comments
Charlene Asay
March 22, 2017 at 11:12 pmI am so excited to get my garden going this season.
Jean Fox
March 14, 2017 at 1:08 pmI already have this book and everything Angie says is absolutely true! I’m a reasonable experienced gardner but I have found that this book has opened my eyes to shortcuts, methods and planning. I love the reproducible planning and record sheets that you can download from her web site. Those alone make this book a treasure through the seasons. And the gorgeous photos are pure eye candy!
Gina
March 14, 2017 at 11:04 amI wish I would have had this book when I started out. I am sure I could still learn plenty. Great photos. I love that it sounds so practical.
Gabi
March 13, 2017 at 6:39 pmGreat review! I’ve been gardening for a few years but can definitely use some more help! Thanks
Megan Cain - The Creative Veg Gardener
March 13, 2017 at 10:27 amThanks so much for the lovely review, Angie! I’m so happy to hear that you’re enjoying the book.
Christine
March 13, 2017 at 9:46 amI bet getting this ook when I first started gardening would have saved me a lot of trial and errors. lol
Donna @ Modern on Monticello
March 13, 2017 at 8:55 amI am just starting out in gardening this year and this book looks like a great place to start. Thanks for sharing.
Roseann Hampton
March 12, 2017 at 4:37 pmI’ve been gardening for years but this book looks like it would be very useful!