Fearless Gardening

November 16, 2020
The home garden should be improvisational, advises garden blogger Bohl in her norm-busting debut. She highlights the inspiration she’s drawn from two eclectic gardeners, Ruth Bancroft and Ganna Walska, who used an “ ‘I’ll do it my way, thank you’ attitude” in creating “one-of-a-kind private gardens that are now open to the public.” Bohl then sets about debunking the “Gardening Commandments.” The first—“Thou shalt plan the entire garden before you begin planting”—is countered by Bancrofts’s approach of planting in small increments; the second—“Thou shalt not purchase plants on impulse”—is rebuked: “I’m here to tell you it’s okay to buy a plant just because you love it, even if it’s not a long-term match for your garden.” The author shares plenty of tips for creating a garden that is individual and artistic, such as “turning an obstacle into an advantage,” citing as an example how a friend of hers painted a dead tree blue instead of removing it. Would-be gardeners intimidated by the thought of taking the plunge will find plenty of encouragement to go forth with confidence and creativity.

December 1, 2020
Gardening is such a time-honored pursuit that the amount of advice and instruction available can seem daunting, especially as the "right" way to do any given thing can vary, depending on who is saying so. Bohl, of the blog The Danger Garden (so named for her love of cacti and other spiky plants), is known in the Pacific Northwest for growing plants endemic to the Desert Southwest, despite the apparently dissimilar conditions of these two regions. Here Bohl continues to exhort gardeners to do things their own way and figure out what that looks like through experimentation, using their own love of plants as their guiding force. After debunking supposed rules for gardening correctly, Bohl explores strategies that can be applied in any garden, with special attention paid to using containers, unexpected plants, and look-alike options for various hardiness zones. Lastly, profiles of inspiring gardens offer details about how each garden evolved. Gardeners aspiring and experienced may feel emboldened and inspired by both permission to break the rules and gorgeous photos of Bohl's home garden.

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