Becoming a Gardener by Catie Marron

Becoming a Gardener by Catie Marron 

This book came out in 2022, and the subtitle is What Reading and Digging Taught Me About Living.

Catie Marron's Becoming a Gardener is a delightful and inspiring journey into the heart of horticulture. With a touch of literary flair and a keen eye for detail, Cate weaves together a captivating narrative of her personal transformation from a novice gardener to a passionate cultivator.

More than just a practical guide to growing plants, Cate's book delves into the profound emotional and spiritual connection that can develop between a gardener and their plot of land.

Cate explores the timeless allure of the garden as a place of restoration, creativity, and self-discovery.

In the introduction, Cate writes:

...A thought occurred to me: To feel rooted, I had to put down roots. Literally. As the old proverb goes:

Necessity is the mother of invention. To turn our house into a home, I'd root myself to the land, which is what drew me to the spot in the first place. Once again, I found myself thinking of gardens. It certainly seemed as good a time as any to attempt to become a gardener. And, so, what began as a desire to feel rooted in a new home with my children and Don, my husband of thirty years, became something else entirely.

I decided to give myself eighteen months, thinking this would allow me enough time to design the garden and watch a full year's plant cycle. Little did I know how much the world would change in that time, both globally and for me personally. In the beginning, thought all I needed was gardening advice - basic information on how to lay out a garden and what plants to grow. As it happened, I needed and discovered so much more.

Cate's writing is both informative and evocative, drawing on her extensive knowledge of gardening literature to offer insights into the history and philosophy of horticulture. Her vivid descriptions of the natural world are delicious, and her personal reflections on the gardening process make the book a joy to read. 

For instance, here's how Cate describes the relationship between gardening and literature.

Gardening and reading, memory and imagination--all weave together in books and in life. Perhaps the power of literature and nature are one and the same, calling on gardeners and readers to recruit both their imaginations and their memories to cultivate special places of their own.

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, Becoming a Gardener is a must-read. It's a celebration of the simple pleasures of growing things and a reminder of the enduring power of nature to heal and inspire.

You can get a copy of Becoming a Gardener by Catie Marron and support the show using the Amazon link in today's show notes for around $10.