The Modern Gardener

Gardening is “a place for productivity and reducing our personal impact on the world’s resources,” according to this pleasant outing from British horticulturalist Tophill (Rewild Your Garden). She begins with a convincing argument for building a varied and rich garden that provides “abundant food for a huge variety of species” including frogs and birds. Indeed, readers will find suggestions for “eco-friendly gardening” including a “right plant, right place system” for choosing crops that, after a year or two, will “need little or no intervention,” and a basic primer on plant categories. Tophill digs into houseplants (and gives tips for where to put them), flower gardening (guiding readers through making their own arrangements), plant dyes, and herb gardening, sharing as well recipes that put them to use including an elderflower cordial and blackcurrant vodka. Some of the plant recommendations may be unfamiliar to American readers (“good King Henry” spinach and Jostaberry, for example), but if the book’s stunning photography doesn’t capture readers, its no-nonsense approach to eco-friendly gardening will: “This is about... relaxing, balancing our needs with environmental concerns, and gardening in a time frame that suits us.” This one’s full of fun ideas. (Apr.)