The 5 best gardening books for beginners

Basic training

In a lighthearted way, “farmdener” Lee Reich will help you learn the fundamentals of home gardening, from creating new beds, to compost, soil care and providing essential nutrients.

Weedless Gardening: The Hassle-Free All-Organic System, by Lee Reich

Everything you ever wanted to know about gardening

Ed Lawrence has hosted a hugely popular gardening call-in show on CBC Radio’s “Ontario Today” for over 20 years. This book is a collection of questions that have been asked and answered on the program over the years. It’s a great reference for helping you solve or anticipate problems of all kinds.

Gardening Grief and Glory: Ed Lawrence Answers Your Gardening Questions, by Ed Lawrence

Eat what you grow

Toronto gardener Gayla Trail shows how to grow veggies in the smallest and most unlikely spots. She talks you through choosing the right plants for your conditions, planting in the ground versus containers, pests and organic fertilizers. There is specific info on growing many varieties of vegetables and herbs as well as harvesting and storage techniques. There are even recipes for what to prepare with all your bounty.

Grow Great Grub: Organic Food from Small Spaces, by Gayla Trail 

For the flower lover

Erin Benzakein, a leader in the local-cut-flower movement, has created a beautiful new book that goes into detail about growing flowers specifically for cutting (although most are gorgeous garden plants, too). The book talks about many specific varieties, how to grow them from seed, how to harvest, and tips for arranging. She also outlines care of shrubs, perennials, roses and fruiting branches. If growing flowers is your thing, this book is a must-have. 

Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden: Grow, Harvest, and Arrange Stunning Seasonal Blooms, by Erin Benzakein and Julie Chai

Would you grow up?

Derek Fell shares the advantages and techniques of growing edibles and ornamentals on fences, trellises, netting and in hanging pots rather than sprawling on the ground. He describes how to support different plants and how to make the structures yourself. He also covers the basics of composting, seeding, pests and plant propagation. And you may be surprised at some of the plants he recommends to grow vertically!

Vertical Gardening: Grow Up, Not Out, For More Vegetables and Flowers in Much Less Space, by Derek Fell

Sarah Nixon is an urban flower farmer and floral designer in Toronto. Since 2002, her flower company, My Luscious Backyard, has sustainably grown over 50 varieties of cut flowers in a micro-farm arising in many residential yards in Toronto's downtown west side.

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