We certainly had our share of April showers in the Northwest. This means one thing: an abundance of May flowers. I don’t know about you, but when winter departs, I look forward to the spring flower trifecta: daffodils, tulips and irises.
Now that May has arrived, we get to enjoy late spring and early summer blooms. While working in a garden is a year-round activity for some, for others, like yours truly, digging in the dirt is enjoyable once the robins start to sing and the soil warms up. Am I a fair-weather gardener? Indeed.
New gardening books are making their way into the library’s collection as I write this column. Check out today’s reading list for books about growing flowers and edibles as well as titles that provide guidance on how to attract birds, bees and butterflies to your yard. I’m also including two garden-related picture books for young readers (and those of us who are young-at-heart readers). Engage with a famous artist and frisky kittens to understand how nature enriches all creatures great and small.
ADULTS:
- “The Fragrant Flower Garden: Growing, Arranging & Preserving Natural Scents” by Stefani Bittner and Alethea Harampolis.
- “Growing an Edible Landscape: How to Transform Your Outdoor Space into a Food Garden” by Gary Pilarchik and Chiara D’Amore.
- “Ultimate Gardening: A Complete Guide to Cultivating Your Perfect Garden, from Flowers, Vegetables, and Herbs to Succulents, Shrubs, and More” by the staff of Gardening Know How.
- “The Ultimate Wildlife Habitat Garden: Attract and Support Birds, Bees, and Butterflies” by Stacy Tornio.
CHILDREN:
- “Gifts from Georgia’s Garden: How Georgia O’Keeffe Nourished Her Art” written by Lisa Robinson, illustrated by Hadley Hooper.
- “This Little Kitty in the Garden” written and illustrated by Karen Obuhanych.
Jan Johnston is the collection development coordinator for the Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries. Email her at readingforfun@fvrl.org.
