An A-to-Z compilation of traditional gardening skills and heirloom plants, nostalgically illustrated with wood block art. Modern life is a cornucopia of technological wonders. But when we spend so much time glued to our phones and computer screens, something precious is lost: a sense of connection to the generations that have preceded us. John Forti is acutely aware of this loss, and his mission is to heal it. In The Heirloom Gardener, he celebrates and shares the lore and traditional practices that link us with the natural world and with each other. Arranged alphabetically, entries include heirloom flowers like beebalm, Johnny-jump-ups, and nasturtiums; traditional skills such as distilling, wreath-making, and brewing; and subjects such as ethnobotany, biodiversity, and organic gardening. Throughout, Forti highlights the ways in which these plants and practices can enrich modern life. The Heirloom Gardener is charmingly illustrated, resulting in a beautiful book that will inspire you to slow down, recharge, and reconnect. AUTHOR: John Forti is an award-winning heirloom specialist, garden historian, ethnobotanist, garden writer, and local foods advocate. He is executive director of Bedrock Gardens, an artist-inspired public sculpture garden and landscape in Lee, New Hampshire, and the recipient of a national 2020 Award of Excellence from National Garden Clubs. He is also a regional governor and biodiversity specialist for Slow Food USA, a national chapter of Slow Food, a global organization and international grassroots movement that connects food producers and consumers to champion local agriculture, farmers markets, and traditional, regional cuisine. Visit him, The Heirloom Gardener, at jforti.com.
The Heirloom Gardener is a multi-purpose gardening and philosophy guide by John Forti. Due out 22nd June 2021 from Workman Publishing on their Timber Press imprint, it's 264 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
The author has collected culture tips, some traditional skills, and philosophy in an alphabetical primer format. The chapters are arranged from angelica to zucchini and visit such skills as foraging (safely), grafting, and foraging and using kelp to help increase biomass and trace minerals in soil along the way.
There are no photographs nor step-by-step tutorials. The illustrations (see cover) are woodcut primitive style and really suit the "old farmer's almanac" traditional vibe. This one fits in my library alongside the John Seymour books and more philosophy minded conservation books such as Muir and Carson.
I would recommend this to smallholders, gardeners interested in more gentle, conservation minded, and traditional methods of culture, gardening groups, allotments and community gardens, schools, urban gardens, and similar.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
