Potted and Pruned: Living a Gardening Life (2017)

 

Winner of the 2018 Gold Medal of Achievement for Best Overall Book from GardenComm: Garden Communicators International

 

Carol J. Michel, author of the award-winning blog May Dreams Gardens, has penned a delightful book of gardening stories recounting her years speed weeding, scolding plants for their poor manners, experiencing the magic of a clover lawn, searching for elusive “rare in cultivation” plants, narrowly avoiding tussles in the garden center, formally evicting drought from her garden, and offering advice for those new to gardening.

Is it possible to be utterly charming and wickedly funny at the same time? Yes, and avid gardeners will find themselves nodding along and laughing out loud as they turn the pages, recognizing their own quirks reflected back to them in Michel’s words. Whether it’s the chapter about the four phases of houseplant care or the gardener’s unique interpretations of time, measurements, and quantities, one can’t help but point and say, “That’s me!” and then read a snippet or paragraph aloud to one’s friend or significant other.

Through 36 light-hearted essays, readers are treated to a glimpse behind the gate at May Dreams Gardens and the philosophies and musings of its caretaker. There’s take-home wisdom for gardeners new and experienced between the pages.

Reviewer Dee Nash says, “As you read, I know you’ll chuckle and be charmed, but you also might just learn a thing or two. A how-to book that teaches the love of gardening. What could be better?”

 

Other Reviews:

“Michel does a brilliant job of capturing such fun facts about gardeners–including their warped sense of time in the garden–in her book of gardening essays.” – Julie Bawden-Davis, Parade magazine, Feb. 2018

 

“Pull up a chair, get a nice drink, and prepare to be thoroughly entertained…” – Mary Ann Newcomer, Country Gardens, Spring 2018

 

“This is, in the main, a little book to tuck away by a comfortable chair and pull out when you need a break, a laugh and a bit of gardening time.” – Julie Jensen,  Northern Gardener, Nov/Dec. 2018

 

“…it’s also sure to bring your gardener giftee lots of smiles and thoughts of, “So, I’m not the only one!” – George Weigel, pennlive.com

 

“This book would be a great gift for a fellow gardener, or for that person in your life who doesn’t quite understand why you are so into gardening and so peculiar about it, or for yourself, for those days when charm and whimsy would be just the right flicker of light in the darkness.” – Erica H. Smith, Washington Gardener, January 2019