Sunday, March 18, 2018

How to Window Box, Small-Space Plants to Grow Indoors or Out, a Review


While reading the adorable new book, How to Window Box, Small-Space Plants to Grow Indoors or Out by Clarkson Potter designed, certainly, with me in mind, I couldn’t help but think about my mother. No, she was not a gardener, but she did make Easter baskets for every attendee at her annual Easter brunch. She took a month or more to put these baskets together, each with a different theme based upon the interests of the recipient. As I held this book in my hand, I couldn’t help but think what a wonderful theme window box gardening would be for an Easter basket. This book, a bag of potting soil, some liquid fertilizer, a few plants, not to mention a fairy garden accessory or two, and you have a wonderful gift for your green-thumbed friend. But I digress.
If you, like me, no longer garden on a grand scale, this book is for you. Talk about inspirational! The pictures alone will have you champing at the bit to get outdoors and start gardening, but the information is the most valuable aspect of this book, and there is plenty, but I am getting ahead of myself. The book provides a nice introduction to window box gardening, and then guides you step-by-step through the process. Here you will learn about a wide variety of theme gardens, one or more of which will no doubt tickle your fancy. I’m not going to list them all, but some of them include: The Sandbox, The Herb Garden, The Detox Box, Edible Petals, The Jungle Box, The Salad Bar, and The Window Bog. Intriguing? I have to tell you, every one of the window boxes in this book intrigue me. Each one mentioned is not only thoroughly described, but there is a nice, easy-to-read chart on the page that will provide a quick guide to creating your own box. It will suggest a location, provide information on recommended light, window, soil, how much you need to water and fertilize, and even give you ideas for topping the box in order to make it look pretty.
 Resources are provided in the back to help you get started, and there is also adequate information to allow you to customize your window box to your own interests and needs. Should you have difficulties (Heaven forbid!), there is a nice section on troubleshooting.
If you like to garden like I do, or if you have a friend who does, pick up a copy of this book. It is small in size (and I like that), but BIG on information.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

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1 comment:

Linda said...

I love anything by Clarkson Potter - such beautiful photography. We won't be window box gardening, but I'd love to live in a climate where I could have such things. During the summer the heat just bakes anything we have in pots or boxes - ugh, And if we tried one in the house, the kitties would play in it - ha! I will window box garden vicariously through you. ;)