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The Backyard Gardener: Simple, Easy, and Beautiful Gardening with Vegetables, Herbs, and Flowers
A beautiful and simple guide to edible gardeningThe “garden to table” movement is inspiring another generation of gardeners but many of them have questions. How important is composting? Is seed saving really worth it? Focusing on sustainable, organic growing practices and plants, The Backyard Gardener is a comprehensive handbook that will help get them started. Kelly Orzel covers everything from soil selection to growing and harvesting. Sidebars such as “garden center survival tips” offer useful advice to help readers build their confidence and know-how. This guide also features photographs of beautiful plant bed designs, propagation techniques, and much more.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2017
141 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Orzel
1 book4 followersKelly Orzel is a horticulturist, Master Gardener and life-long grower of green things. She fell in love with plants and dirt when she was 15 and working at a local nursery. Now with more than 20 years of experience and a master's degree in Horticulture, Kelly's infatuation with plants has manifested itself with Bowery Beach Farm in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. As a sustainable, organic girl-farmer she specializes in fresh cut culinary herbs for local restaurants and markets and scented geraniums. A grower at heart, Kelly grows a wide selection of unique plants; drawn to the old-fashioned and heirloom varieties for their delicious flavors, scents and colors that is missing in many plants and flowers today.
During the winter months Kelly works as a freelance writer/photographer for local newspapers and national garden magazines, including Hobby Farms. She travels throughout New England and beyond giving garden talks, demonstrations and has even appeared on local television stations sharing her love of gardening and growing.
Aside from dirt, Kelly loves bread and cheese, over-sized sweaters and Jane Austen novels. She lives with her husband and dog (Mr. Bert) on their small farm in Maine
During the winter months Kelly works as a freelance writer/photographer for local newspapers and national garden magazines, including Hobby Farms. She travels throughout New England and beyond giving garden talks, demonstrations and has even appeared on local television stations sharing her love of gardening and growing.
Aside from dirt, Kelly loves bread and cheese, over-sized sweaters and Jane Austen novels. She lives with her husband and dog (Mr. Bert) on their small farm in Maine
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 19, 2019
I got this lovely informational book at the library on the whim (friendly reminder to use your public library kids!) since I'm looking forward to having the space to create my own garden this Summer! As a beginner to gardening I can admit that I feel a little weird reviewing this book, but I generally think its a great introduction to gardening! It was very understandable, well organized and had information for both large scale and small scale gardens! It was super addicting to my ravenclaw ego as well. I couldn't stop absorbing the information and stayed up to 3am last night to finish this lol
April 6, 2017
I received an e-ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my unbiased review.
I am about to buy my first house and it just so happens to have raised garden boxes already. So when I saw this book pop up on NetGalley, I thought, "What timing!" and requested the ARC. I learned a lot about gardening - soil, plants, bugs, additives, tools, etc. But I did end up spending a lot of time looking up new terms. "What is a cucurbit?" I wanted the author to define terms to me in the text or as sidebars. She did occasionally define a term, and often when she did she'd repeat the definition more than once.
Definitions aside, this was a great book with a lot of useful information. I wouldn't recommend it for casual reading, but if you're planning to have a garden for the first time, it's a great place to start and keep as a reference. I really loved the monthly "garden checklists" the author included at the end. It's helpful to have a monthly guide. If I could ask for one other thing, it would have been sample garden plans. For example, if you have just one box, here's what to grow together; if you have two boxes, grow these; and so forth.
I am about to buy my first house and it just so happens to have raised garden boxes already. So when I saw this book pop up on NetGalley, I thought, "What timing!" and requested the ARC. I learned a lot about gardening - soil, plants, bugs, additives, tools, etc. But I did end up spending a lot of time looking up new terms. "What is a cucurbit?" I wanted the author to define terms to me in the text or as sidebars. She did occasionally define a term, and often when she did she'd repeat the definition more than once.
Definitions aside, this was a great book with a lot of useful information. I wouldn't recommend it for casual reading, but if you're planning to have a garden for the first time, it's a great place to start and keep as a reference. I really loved the monthly "garden checklists" the author included at the end. It's helpful to have a monthly guide. If I could ask for one other thing, it would have been sample garden plans. For example, if you have just one box, here's what to grow together; if you have two boxes, grow these; and so forth.
August 12, 2019
I checked this out from the library since I just moved into a house with a garden. It is packed full of easily digestible information for the beginning gardener. I think I am going to purchase a copy to use for reference.
May 1, 2017
Beautiful pictures populate the pages as you are lead through the steps to a successful garden, starting with the soil. An important part of any garden, suggestions are made of emendments that improve it, but the recommendation of testing it are the most important. It's tough to know what the soil lacks without these simple tests.
Tips on tools,time saving, plant support, pest and diseases abound.
It includes aid in starting from seed and transplanting your plants, rotation, companion planting and compost hints.
Different vegetables, fruits and herbs are discussed at length. The information contained in this book covers most of the articles that a home gardener would need.
Some flowers are covered as well as a calendar checklist.
Well written and easily disseminated information make this book a winner.
I asked for and received an ARC copy from NetGalley
Tips on tools,time saving, plant support, pest and diseases abound.
It includes aid in starting from seed and transplanting your plants, rotation, companion planting and compost hints.
Different vegetables, fruits and herbs are discussed at length. The information contained in this book covers most of the articles that a home gardener would need.
Some flowers are covered as well as a calendar checklist.
Well written and easily disseminated information make this book a winner.
I asked for and received an ARC copy from NetGalley
February 10, 2022
Fantastic crash course for the aspiring backyard gardener. I loved the book’s organization, simple explanations, and brass tacks approach. My favorite parts were the bookends. The beginning matter on tools, setting up the garden, and propagating was just the right amount of information without being overwhelming. The monthly garden calendar is a very helpful jumping off point. It doesn’t hurt that the author happens to be in my hardiness zone! Kelly, thank you so much for sharing your time and talent with the rest of us!
August 4, 2018
When I decided to plant a small square-foot garden, I checked out numerous garden books from my local library. This was the text that I kept referring back throughout the process. Fast-forward a couple of months and I've got beautiful veggies, herbs, and flowers, and am hatching plans for fall/winter crops, and am inspired to figure out how I might expand the garden next year.
May 6, 2017
good informative book based on the hands-on tried and tested experience of a professional farmer / gardener. Condition-specific to foreign (U.S.?) weather and professional growers (case in point: the monthly checklist at the end).
It's a lengthy read, so get the glasses out.
It's a lengthy read, so get the glasses out.
February 16, 2022
Too much misinformation/tired old tropes that aren't true. Unsuited for gardening in the far north (zone 3 & 4--her gardening timelines are totally unrealistic when we still have a lot of snow on the ground in April!
August 4, 2017
Learned a couple new things, but most of it I knew from reading gardening magazines, websites, books, etc. Very beautiful photographs throughout. A good beginner text.
March 12, 2019
Not quite the beginner gardening book I was hoping for!
June 23, 2019
It was pretty good!
November 27, 2019
One of the most helpful books I’ve read-at least it covered the topics I needed help with!
January 19, 2020
I’m not sure if I would recommend this for beginner gardeners
January 30, 2020
Great information. Really like the descriptions of each type of plant
August 24, 2021
Good source of information. Nice pictures.
December 3, 2022
Great gardening book
This is a great book to have for vegetables. Well mapped out, a lot of information. I will be referring to this book frequently I can tell.
This is a great book to have for vegetables. Well mapped out, a lot of information. I will be referring to this book frequently I can tell.
March 28, 2024
Lots of good, practical advice
March 11, 2017
A quite advanced guide to organic gardening. There's a lot of useful information in these pages, but it was beyond my skills and/or needs. On the other hand, if you want to know how to adjust the pH balance of your soil, establish multi-year three-foot compost piles, build your own greenhouse, lay out landscape fabric, or set up four-year crop rotation plans, this is the book for you! Given that I live in an apartment with a few windows and a fire escape to garden on, it was less useful to me. I did enjoy the long chapter on individual plants, giving specific tips on how to grow, harvest, fertilize, and protect each kind (mostly vegetables, with herbs and flowers getting much fewer pages).
It's a well-written, informative book, but not the one I needed.
I read this as an ARC via NetGalley.
It's a well-written, informative book, but not the one I needed.
I read this as an ARC via NetGalley.
March 6, 2017
Great informative book. Heavy-handed with the information, I think it should satisfy both beginners and the experienced. I like that it incorporates stories and anecdotes as well as clear, expressive instructions for the garden.
March 3, 2017
This is a great book for a beginner gardener who want to read a book about gardening and not just an instructional book. There a plenty of explanation and antidotes from the authors gardening adventures. There are plenty of clear explantions and even a few homemade pest control recipes. This review was originally posted on Books In Brogan
March 10, 2017
Working on a review for this one. It's a great book but a little, or really a LOT over my head. Chock full of information that I was not ready for. Maybe those that are into gardening and not just starting out will get more out of this than I was able to.
More review coming soon!
Received by publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
More review coming soon!
Received by publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
December 30, 2019
Definitely one of the best gardening books I've come across. I continually refer back to it and it helps with all seasons of planting for pretty much all climates.
April 4, 2017
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
From garden to table, this is full of sensible ideas about taking care of your soil, planting, harvesting and just about everything else to do with growing a healthy vegetable garden. Beautifully photographed and presented. Recommended.
From garden to table, this is full of sensible ideas about taking care of your soil, planting, harvesting and just about everything else to do with growing a healthy vegetable garden. Beautifully photographed and presented. Recommended.
April 6, 2017
I am an expert at gardening. Destroying them, I mean. I forget to water or get overcome by my allergies and hide inside or come out to find that all my beautiful herbs were enjoyed by bunnies and squirrels or destroyed by the crazy Kansas weather. Are you like me? Because now there is help. Kelly Orzel has written a book to give us all expert advice with plants.
The Backyard Gardener: Simple, Easy, and Beautiful Gardening with Vegetables, Herbs, and Flowers offers help and resources for people like me. She takes you step by step through the process, from the ground up.
Horticulturist Orzel starts with the foundation, the soil, and helps you prepare it. She helps you understand the tools you need, how to feed the soil, why weeding is so important, how to deal with damaged or diseased plants, and how to deal with pests. She draws on her years of experience to offer simple explanations and workable solutions.
From there, The Backyard Gardener takes you through planting and propagation, starting seeds indoors, saving seeds, dividing plants, and transplanting. It also provides practices for organic growing, like crop rotation, succession planting, intercropping, plant stacking, and companion gardening. In other words, Orzel helps you plan the timing and location of your plants to make the most of your soil.
Then she takes you through a host of vegetable, herb, and flower plants, offering foolproof strategies for keeping them healthy and strong until it's time to harvest and enjoy. Lettuces, root vegetables, savory herbs, and beautiful flowers all combine in fresh ways to create a beautiful, sustainable garden for beginner and intermediate gardeners.
The book includes lots of beautiful photos for inspiration and so many resources for once you're ready to go on your own plot. Suggested reading and websites, suppliers of gardening supplies, garden calendars, and seasonal checklists all help you plan and prepare for your best garden yet.
As for me, maybe this is my year. The Backyard Gardener has given me so much information I can take to my favorite garden center and start to build my beautiful backyard garden. I don't think I can reverse all my years of unsuccessful gardening in only one year, but I can make a start. And now I know just where to begin. There is hope, even for a black thumb like me!
Galleys for The Backyard Gardener were provided by the publisher through NetGalley.com.
The Backyard Gardener: Simple, Easy, and Beautiful Gardening with Vegetables, Herbs, and Flowers offers help and resources for people like me. She takes you step by step through the process, from the ground up.
Horticulturist Orzel starts with the foundation, the soil, and helps you prepare it. She helps you understand the tools you need, how to feed the soil, why weeding is so important, how to deal with damaged or diseased plants, and how to deal with pests. She draws on her years of experience to offer simple explanations and workable solutions.
From there, The Backyard Gardener takes you through planting and propagation, starting seeds indoors, saving seeds, dividing plants, and transplanting. It also provides practices for organic growing, like crop rotation, succession planting, intercropping, plant stacking, and companion gardening. In other words, Orzel helps you plan the timing and location of your plants to make the most of your soil.
Then she takes you through a host of vegetable, herb, and flower plants, offering foolproof strategies for keeping them healthy and strong until it's time to harvest and enjoy. Lettuces, root vegetables, savory herbs, and beautiful flowers all combine in fresh ways to create a beautiful, sustainable garden for beginner and intermediate gardeners.
The book includes lots of beautiful photos for inspiration and so many resources for once you're ready to go on your own plot. Suggested reading and websites, suppliers of gardening supplies, garden calendars, and seasonal checklists all help you plan and prepare for your best garden yet.
As for me, maybe this is my year. The Backyard Gardener has given me so much information I can take to my favorite garden center and start to build my beautiful backyard garden. I don't think I can reverse all my years of unsuccessful gardening in only one year, but I can make a start. And now I know just where to begin. There is hope, even for a black thumb like me!
Galleys for The Backyard Gardener were provided by the publisher through NetGalley.com.
April 12, 2017
I checked this out from the library and it would definitely be a good garden book to purchase.
April 18, 2017
This cheerful and colorful entry-level guide to backyard gardening covers flowers, veggies and herbs in a very clear and engaging way. For more experienced gardeners, it might be more of a review than an introduction to gardening techniques.
I have very little gardening experience, having only successfully grown tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and gourds, so this book suited me perfectly. There is also a section on organic gardening and a helpful calendar with monthly checklists.
**eARC Netgalley**
I have very little gardening experience, having only successfully grown tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and gourds, so this book suited me perfectly. There is also a section on organic gardening and a helpful calendar with monthly checklists.
**eARC Netgalley**
January 8, 2019
This book is beautiful and exceedingly helpful for people with enough space and time for a large garden. It is a great book to grow with (pun intended) from your fledgling sprouts to tiny greenhouses. I will be getting a copy for my personal collection when I can, it is an enlightening read.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews