Book Review and Giveaway!

 

"Wahoooo! I've hit the big time!" is exactly what I thought when I got a review copy of the lovely Ms. Ivette Soler's new book, The Edible Front Yard: The Mow-Less, Grow-More Plan for a Beautiful, Bountiful Garden from the fine folks at Timber Press. 

It's no exaggeration to say that I wanted to eat this book up. It's full of beautiful photos by landscaping professionals that I've actually met. Yes, they actually let little ol' me come to their Tweetups and garden show gatherings. Don't tell 'em that I'm just a home gardener, OK? We'll keep that between us.

Photo credit: Rebecca Sweet (top); Ann Summa

You may recall that we've ripped out our entire front yard--this book arrived just in time to educate and inspire me. Unlike other veggie gardening books, it's not just a litany of plants and growing conditions. It covers everything in a very accessible way, from composting to how to espalier fruit trees and snail eradication and how to examine/analyze your yard.

 Photo credit: Ann Summa

Some important tips I learned that made me reconsider my original front yard garden plan:

• You need to make deliberate choices so your front yard looks beautiful all the time, in every season. It's OK to include some perennial grasses or plants (gasp!) in with your veggies.
• Some herbs and veggies should not be planted in the front yard. They're just too hard to keep looking nice all the time.
• You can't just "mow and go" like you would with a lawn. There is a bit of work and replanting involved so your front yard garden will look awesome all year.

Photo credit: Ivette Soler

One of the best parts of the book is the photos and planting diagrams of front yard gardens across the country. This is what inspired me to include some Mondograss and other perennials in the front, and to experiment with different ways of planting (not just in blocks or rows).

My front yard is still pretty bare and homely, so I'm not including any photos today. I can't compete with these beautiful images from The Edible Front Yard!

Are you as inspired as I am? It's your lucky day. The folks at Timber Press sent me an extra copy to give away. Here's how to enter:

•   Comment below. Be sure to include your email address so I can contact you if you win.

For bonus entries (leave a separate comment for each one):
•   “Like” BrownThumbMama on Facebook or Twitter. (Let me know if you already do.)
•   Subscribe to BrownThumbMama for free by email. (If you already subscribe, let me know.)
•   Post about this giveaway on your Facebook wall or blog.

U.S. entries only, please. Contest will be open until 7pm PST on Saturday, March 5 and I’ll announce the winner on Sunday. Good luck!