Friday, April 02, 2010

A Magazine Worth Owning

I just received my new issue of GardenMaking.  I know, you are saying, "I never heard of that one!"  Well, it was a recommendation from my blogging friend Allan Becker from the gardenguru a couple of months ago.  It is published in Canada, and as Allan said, it is all gardening information, not advertisements.

I am so thrilled with the article Allan Armitage wrote saying phooy to all of those people who worry about how to pronounce all of the latin names and making the garden perfect - it is always a work in progress.  He loves the idea of sticking plants in that we like even though they may not go with the "design."  How can you try new plants if you don't experiment?

Another article that impressed me with it's ease of understanding was Six Steps To A Beautiful New Border by Stephen Westcott-Gratton.  He tells us that a new border should blend in with the overall garden design i.e., if curved beds already exist, it should be a more casual border rather than structural and geometric as in straight bed borders.  He goes on to stress mapping out dimensions, improving soil, adding a focal point, choosing plants and planting.  This is a great article for beginners or seasoned gardeners who need reminders.

GardenMaking has article after article (I counted twenty-one), with a minimum of advertising pages.  You might find it here in the States at a major book store like Barnes & Noble or Borders, or look it up on line.  In the United States, it is $29.95 for six issues and reads like a gardening book each time you receive it..         http://www.gardenmaking.com/

13 comments:

  1. Dear Eileen, A new plant, a new nursery, a new book, a new magazine - these are all part of the pleasure, and excitement, of gardening. I am so pleased that you have found so much to interest you in 'GardenMaking' and very much hope that it will continue to attract worthwhile contributors.

    Within the UK we are very fortunate to have a wide variety of garden publications but, regrettably, only a small number continue over a period to maintain the high standards with which they set out.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I know, Edith, we have a great many garden magazines that are useless except for pretty pictures. I hope this one stays around.

    Eileen

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the info on that magazine... I like that cover with the magnolia! You have lots of bloom already... wow! Have a great weekend! Larry

    ReplyDelete
  4. aloha eileen,

    thank you for taking us on a walk around your garden this morning, that was wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Noel, It's just like Hawaai 84 degrees yesterday and in the 80's again today.

    Eileen

    ReplyDelete
  6. Larry, just popped in a couple of days 84 degrees yesterday and in the 80's again today. Now, I worried about keeping all of those spring bulbs blooming - had to water this morning.

    Eileen

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for the heads up...I'll look for it at the library.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Erin,

    Let me know if you find it at the library. I think it is only published six times per year, but it is a little pricey.

    Eileen

    ReplyDelete
  9. I will try this again as the last comment aborted.

    Thank you for the information on the magazine. We ceased subscriptions years ago because of the increasing ads and lessening content.

    Your beautiful flowers tell us that Spring is here. We wish you many blessing this Easter.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love garden magazines and am always on the lookout for new ones. This one sounds really good, I'll be looking for it.
    Your daffodils are looking very cheerful!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Di and Catherine,

    I just got an email from the publisher and they are not marketing in the US, so I guess the only alternative is to order over the internet. I did this, and they will send you a free issue.

    Eileen

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm with Mr. Armitage on being easygoing about Latin names, and on experimenting in the garden. Experimenting is at least half the fun of gardening.

    Sounds like a very nice magazine, and one that would likely be received well here in the States should they decide to market it here. It's definitely pricey for a magazine, but considering there are no ads, it seems like a good value.

    ReplyDelete
  13. It is about the same price as Fine Gardening, which I think is pricey too. From what I am seeing online, it is a seasonal publication, not each month - so I think this is a price for the year.

    I think you can still go online and ask for a free copy to see if you like it. I liked the textbook feel to it. What's wrong with me liking textbooks?

    Eileen

    ReplyDelete