From the Ground Up: The Story of a First Garden Book

Rating: 3.5

Why has it taken me so long to pick up a book about someone's experiences in a garden? This is the second one that I've read this year, and they've both been delightful. Early in the book, when Ms Stewart describes the location of her garden, she writes that her house (and therefore some of her garden) appears on many postcards. I intend to watch for cards that show her house when I attend the upcoming postcard show.

One part of her account that bothers me is her take on cats. If she truly likes the natural world, why does she let her cats run free? Yes, cats are predators, but they are not natural. They fit the definition of a weed. They survive in a wide variety of habitats and they wreck havoc on the native species. I could continue this into a full-fledged rant, but I will refrain.

I can understand Stewart's comment about the Butchart Gardens:
"I longed for the diversity and disarray of the wild. I didn't feel any closer to nature in this showboat garden; instead, I felt like I had spent my afternoon strolling through a very sterile, well-landscaped theme park or shopping mall."

Maybe that's why I enjoyed reading about her experiences. Her goal in gardens is somewhat like mine -- diverse and natural.