This week, I’m diving into my 2025 garden plans with some fantastic reads that inspire and give hope that our backyard garden will be beautiful and bountiful. The plan is to start from scratch. I’d like to grow enough produce to save money on our grocery bill. This means we need to do things much differently. I’m spending these rainy, chilly PNW fall days reading up on different methods.
Here are four books I’m reading right now:
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1. Family Garden Plan by Melissa K. Norris: This book is like having a gardening coach in your pocket! It offers step-by-step plans and charts to help you grow a year’s worth of food for your family, ensuring you never run out of tomatoes for your salsa or zucchini for your neighbors.
2. All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew: If you’re short on space and are dreaming of big harvests, this guide is a game-changer. It teaches you how to maximize your garden’s potential with non-traditional layouts and efficient planting techniques. This is not the same same old technique of planting gardens in rows that I learned from my grandma. I’m excited to try this. I appreciated the section on determining the garden bed size based on the output needed for each family member.
3. Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening by Louise Riotte: Who knew carrots and tomatoes were besties in the garden? I’m interested in learning the natural ways to repel pests and help my raised garden thrive.
4. Old Farmer’s Almanac Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook: A classic for a reason, this handbook covers everything from soil prep to pest control, making it perfect for both newbies and seasoned backyard gardeners alike.
These books have me dreaming big, making lists and drawing up plans. I’m feeling excited and ready to dig in and make these backyard garden dreams a reality!
What are your favorite gardening books or blogs? Drop me a note in the comments.