Tuesday, 22 January 2013

Book Review Give Away

Like many Canadians I used to faithfully read a certain gardening magazine.  In 2010 the publisher appointed a new editor. Staff with gardening knowledge disappeared at an alarming rate. Pages filled  up with designer boots and outrageously expensive tools that no true gardener would waste their money on. We tend to be a savvy breed, don't you think.

Thankfully, an ex editor took a huge leap of faith and financial risk and began publishing her own magazine. It is by far the best gardening magazine I have ever read.


Here is what editor  Beckie Fox said about choosing the name:

 "For me, the phrase [garden making] also describes my straightforward approach to most things in life — learn, participate, enjoy."

This quote pretty much embodies the magazine. Flipping through my own copies I came across these topics: to dig or not to dig, Japanese spireas, herbal teas, vines and climbers for small places, winter squash, peat moss,  meadow rues, planting a windbreak and it just goes on. Readers look forward to the annual design issue in winter. This year it focused on front of the house designs. Other topics in the issue were small scale allees (I've always wanted one), giant perennials (they were huge), best blue foliage and flowers, and evergreen ground covers.

Winter 2012-13                Winter 2010-11                 


Each issue contains an in depth article on a particular plant.

Spring 2012                Spring 2011                 

Most publishers have chosen the dumbing down, less is more, pack it with advertising approach. This magazine is bucking the trend, brimming with in depth, interesting, knowledgeable and practical articles. I'm such a fan I am offering one lucky reader a free one year subscription. (North American continent only)
Although written for a Canadian audience our growing conditions run from desert to subarctic and everything in between so I have no doubt it will be applicable over the border.

To enter leave a comment and tell me about your favourite magazine or columnist.  I will draw for it on Feb 2nd.

Garden Making is published quarterly by Inspiring Media Inc., a family owned company. Subscription info here.

This post is part of the fabulous garden book review at Roses and Other Garden Joys.
Posted by at

34 comments:

  1. Beth22 January 2013 at 17:21

    Hi, Looks like a great magazine. I would love to win a subscription. My favorite garden magazines are Garden Gate and Better Homes and Gardens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan22 January 2013 at 17:51

      Nice to hear from you Beth. I looked up Garden Gate magazine. Is it true they carry no ads?

      Delete
  2. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe22 January 2013 at 17:29

    I have picked up many gardening books and magazines in my travels and I have quite a large collection that I can't seem to part with. I have stopped buying them as I have enough to skim through every now and then. However, as I pass through the check out line in one of the nurseries I favor, my hand reaches over to look through the latest editions of the magazines just to see what new ideas are out there. I can't help myself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan22 January 2013 at 21:47

      My husband insists on handling the cash out portion of any shared excursion for that very reason.

      Delete
  3. Unknown22 January 2013 at 18:10

    It's good when you can get a practical but interesting gardening magazine - they seem to be hard to find though!
    The only decent Australian one I've ever found is Warm Earth Organic Gardening. It covers a range of gardening topics.
    Good luck to those entering the giveaway! I'm afraid a Canadian gardening magazine would be quite unusable in Australia :-)
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan22 January 2013 at 21:45

      I sometimes read Australian interior design mags. It is nice to get a different viewpoint. As for an Australian gardening magazine-maybe its an opportunity for you.

      Delete
  4. dorothy22 January 2013 at 20:57

    I like the title: "Garden Making". It sounds homey and practical to me. Something that an ordinary person could do. As far as my favorite gardening magazine, it would probably be "Fine Gardening." It does have a classy feel about it, but my friend gave me a subscription to "Garden Gate " magazine a few years ago and I find it to be very useful. I save every copy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan22 January 2013 at 21:42

      It is one of the few magazines I keep. It even survived the ruthless paring down prior to us moving. 'Fine Gardening" has been recommended to me several times. I need to get a copy.

      Delete
  5. Annabelle22 January 2013 at 22:48

    Here in London we are swamped with magazines of all kinds. Sadly I do not have a special one. The idea of sitting in the garden in the sun and reading one appeals to me - and s*d the gardening. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan23 January 2013 at 15:13

      Canadian winters find me retiring early and rising late. I snuggle beneath flannel sheets and a fluffy duvet with my reading material. (Well that's the dream)

      Delete
  6. Sherrie {Bird Lady}22 January 2013 at 23:52

    Sounds like Garden Making is a great resource. My favorite gardening mag is "Birds and Blooms". It has hardly any advertising, and beautiful photos and articles about what else? Birds and Blooms!

    I enjoy reading and learning about gardening, so a subscription would be great!

    - Sherrie (Bird Lady)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan23 January 2013 at 15:15

      Sherrie, I love Birds and Blooms too. I think the same publisher does Country Woman which I also enjoy.

      Delete
  7. Donna@Gardens Eye View23 January 2013 at 03:12

    Susan I am intrigued by this magazine and even if I don't win I will check it out to subscribe. I actually have stopped subscribing to most garden magazines as they don't offer me much anymore...I do like Garden Gate and Organic Gardening.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan23 January 2013 at 15:16

      I think you will like it, Donna. In fact I think you could write for it.

      Delete
  8. Quinn23 January 2013 at 03:37

    That sounds like a very useful magazine, and I am "nearly" in Canada, so I'm sure many things would apply to conditions here in MA :)

    One of my favorite magazines is Smithsonian, but I've had to let my subscription lapse for a while. All my reading is online these days, which is not as satisfying as holding a glossy magazine in my hands, but at the moment, the price is right.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan23 January 2013 at 15:27

      I used to get Smithsonian when we lived in the States.
      I have to feel I'm getting value for money before subscribing to anything these days. I check out magazines from the library which helps conserve the pennies.

      Delete
  9. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose23 January 2013 at 06:40

    I agree - "Garden Making" is an excellent publication! I'm also a huge fan of "The Gardener for the Prairies." "Gardens West" is good, as well. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan23 January 2013 at 15:29

      I'm glad you agree re Garden Making. I like Gardens West too.

      Delete
  10. HolleyGarden23 January 2013 at 07:07

    How wonderful to find a gardening magazine that is written by someone knowledgeable about making a garden! So many times I find garden magazines that are beautiful, but not a lot of useful information in them. Please don't put my name in the hat for the subscription, but I appreciate you joining in the meme! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan23 January 2013 at 15:38

      The editor of Garden Making exudes knowledge. It gives me confidence regarding the veracity of the magazine.

      Delete
  11. Mary Oxendale Spensley23 January 2013 at 09:55

    Nothing makes me more frantic than a gardening magazine that presents nothing but zone 6 and higher plants, the article's title usually being "Easy Plants Anyone Can Grow!" Of course, the pictures are all so enticing.

    For this reason, I find the most practical magazine I get comes from my local horticultural society. In my case the Calgary Horticultural Society. Great pictures, interesting articles, useful tips!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan23 January 2013 at 15:41

      I get so mad over that Zone 6 thing. The delightful M got us a membership to CHS last year. I'm attending our local garden club for the first time next week.

      Delete
  12. My Garden Diaries23 January 2013 at 13:37

    Ha! Good point on us being savvy! I just went to the pawn shop to trade in some things for my "plant stash" It's hard to be a gardener when you are feeding three little ones! My favorite magazine tight now is called Urban Farming. I would love a chance to be entered in your giveaway...this magazine sounds wonderful!!! Moreover, I look forward to following along with you! Your blog is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan23 January 2013 at 15:47

      Thanks for the compliment. I keep my eyes open in 2nd hand stores/ charity shops for magazines and cheap garden pots too. I've just discovered Urban Farming.

      Delete
  13. CatieAn23 January 2013 at 13:42

    Oh this magazine sounds very inviting. I don't like to buy the ones that are practical gardneing and every day useful. Designer tools are nice if that is all you have to spend your money on. Like you, I would rather spend hard earned money on practical things like plants and seeds! Heheh.
    Thank you for such a sweet give away
    catiean

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan23 January 2013 at 15:54

      I really lust after the Rolls Royce quality tools from venerable old companies. My son treated us to a beautiful set of spade, shovel and fork that bring me joy every time I use them.

      Delete
  14. pippirose23 January 2013 at 14:03

    I love "Birds and Blooms" magazine.
    Thanks for the chance to enter your wonderful giveaway!
    I'm sitting here, dreaming of spring, as we are in the midst of a major deep freeze (yesterday, it was -47 C with windchill--today, it's a balmy -27 C)!
    :o)
    pippirose59 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Casa Mariposa24 January 2013 at 11:41

    I think I have several favorite magazines! I really like Organic Gardening but also love Country Gardens because it doesn't feature a bunch of stuffy formal gardens. Anything written by Steve Bender or Sharon Lovejoy are guaranteed reads for me. :o)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sandy25 January 2013 at 12:28

    Love it! I am a gardener too, although I would like to think so! I currently don't have any subscriptions to magazines, although I used to subscribe to Southern Living and Better Homes & Gardens and a lot of times they have some beautiful gardening articles in those. This magazine looks like a winner!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Jennifer25 January 2013 at 15:25

    this is an awesome giveaway! I think my favourite magazine is Birds and Blooms. Thanks for the tip to check out Garden Making as well!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Unknown27 January 2013 at 13:03

    That looks like a very interesting magazine! Don't you hate it when magazines get more and more ads and most of them have nothing to do with what the magazine is about? My favorite right now is Mary Jane's Farm. It always has interesting articles and the ads all seem to have to do with articles that the magazine contains. I was lucky enough to meet the editor when she was here in town - a friend had won a crafting day with her and she was so very nice and down to earth. I'd be glad to send you my last copy - I'm done reading it - if you'd like to see what it's about.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nell at njschout30 January 2013 at 20:16

    One of my favourte magazines is Gardens West. I would love to read this magazine!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan31 January 2013 at 11:23

      Now I'm in BC for 50% of my time I will start looking at Gardens West. I think you might like my upcoming post, it is about documenting local areas.

      Delete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)