A Garden Can Be Anywhere: Creating Bountiful and Beautiful Edible Gardens

by Lauri Kranz

Edible Gardens LA founder Lauri Kranz shares her secrets for planning, planting, growing, and maintaining luscious edible gardens, no matter the setting or size of the plot. Through gorgeous gardens created for her well-known clientele, including James Beard award–winning chefs, celebrities, rock stars, and more, Lauri shares her essential methods for growing abundant organic food. This practical guide is built around Lauri’s philosophy that nourishment and beauty are not separate goals. It’s also at the forefront of a gardening revolution, where more and more people are craving a patch of land for growing and the trend is toward edible gardens over ornamental gardens. A Garden Can Be Anywhere reveals Lauri’s knack for providing both beauty and bounty in her clients’ outdoor spaces.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Reference, Plants

256 pages, Hardcover

Published February 26, 2019

Reviews

[Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

a garden *can* be anywhere, although in this case bottomless budgets, limitless time, and acres of beautiful land seem to be prerequisites. This is highly aspirational, with garden sites most of us can only dream of. It's sort of an odd mix, with information being basic, thorough, and accessible but paired with sites that look like they have a full-time master gardener.

[Richard T · Rating 2 out of 5]

It had nice visuals but I found it all felt very narcissistic. Like it was written by someone who surrounds themselves with people who think they're very important. There was very little substance here and certainly nothing new.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Motivational gardening book that's more than just a how-to and the dry facts. The beautiful pictures make up for the repetitiveness (ok ok African Blue Basil is perfect for pollinators, fine). It's a very Los Angeles-centric book (celebrity gardens) featuring some other farmers from mostly Maine IIRC. If a garden can be anywhere, it'd be nice to see other gardens featured all over the US, on apartment balconies or backyards that aren't the homes of celebrities or multi-acre farms.
Regardless, it was a soothing book to read, and I instantly felt relaxed every time I picked it up. I don't know if I'll be referring to this book for specific tips on gardening any time soon, but if I ever feel like I need a push toward a more mindful lifestyle, I'll know where to turn.

[Martina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book received some undeserved criticism for showcasing edible gardens established by the author for L.A.'s wealthy elite--implying that the book has little to say to readers of ordinary means, growing our seedling on modest balconies and tiny plots. The criticism overlooks that the book's message and methods apply universally--which, in my view, is its great appeal. The book is less a "how to" than a philosophical guide to plant in harmony with nature, to tread lightly on the land, and to appreciate the wonders of growing wholesome delicious food. It teaches methods for tending kindly to the soil and inspires us to treat all living things with reverence and compassion. Beautiful photographs convey the author's sense of wholesome, earthy style.

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I have a small lot that's mostly shady so I thought the "anywhere" would apply, but it doesn't. I just did a search for the term "shade" through the book and it just says that plants need full sun, and that the anecdotes of particular gardens that talk about shade are essentially, "they thought the garden could go in this shady spot but then we hiked around their property for a bit and found a perfect sunny spot." I live in a house in a dense suburb, a hike would take you into several neighborhoods away :P

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was prepared to not like this book, but the gardens and the gardener won me over. This is a surprising bit of garden porn that happens to have a useful and practical side. A dream job building and tending lovely productive organic vegetable gardens. Beautifully inserted into the landscapes of wealthy peoples personal homes and lives. The interesting parts are in the matching up of the garden type with the peoples lives. This is a gardener who listens to what they think they want then tells people what she thinks they need. That includes very large wire mesh covered screen houses big enough to build raised beds inside, then walk in and tend. A book about bountiful food gardens where sunlight and organic requirements trump all and money is not a limiting factor.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I love beginnings. The start of something new gives us hope for what is possible. Beginnings harbor dreams. A garden is in a nearly constant state of beginning: turning the earth, the first seeds, the first flowers, the first harvest of a season.”

A beautiful book that I could flip through over and over just for the pictures. Not a very “helpful” book but still inspiring.

[Abby Q. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book to read if one is considering to start an edible garden. I like how she introduces how to start an edible garden and the important factors to consider to have a successful edible garden. In the book, she narrated how she troubleshoots problems unique to her clients’ garden space and in turn successfully creates a productive as well as aesthetically pleasing edible garden for them.

[Ezina LeBlanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for anyone wanting a beautiful garden

Lauri generously shared her tips on how to create gorgeous gardens. Everything from picking a prime location to pest control and everything in between. My copy is dog eared and highlighted and shall remain a trusted reference.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

... but mostly on a rich person's property in Southern California.

Beautiful pictures, big fan of African basil for the bees, nourish the soil, design your garden to be close to your home, but you have options, including full screened in garden houses, or "destination gardens" whereever the light is good.

[Penn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable, educational and beautiful photos.

[Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Replete with gorgeous photos and practical tips for building your own beautiful edible garden.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned so much! Ben & I are excited to have a bigger garden this year. We’re going to use lots of ideas from the book like companion planting and rotating!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will this book prevent me from killing everything in my garden this year? I can only hope! It is a beautiful book full of aspirational ideas and a few practical tips for this black thumb.

[Kimberly McIntyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, a garden can be anywhere

A thoughtfully written book that leaves you eager start planting a garden, even if it in just one pot. Wonderful advice and lovely pictures to whet your appetite for a planting adventure.