A hands-on gardener, Henry Homeyer gives practical advice on how to garden, whether building a hot box, transplanting peonies, defeating the deer, growing ladyslipper orchids and shiitake mushrooms, or keeping the birds out of the berry bushes. Each month covers a range of topics relevant to the season: starting seedlings, edging and mulching, gardening with children, getting rid of invasive plants, pruning , planting shrubs for attracting and feeding birds, putting the garden to bed, growing houseplants, . . . These are just a few of Homeyer's 69 short "reflections and observations" on matters of interest to amateur, dedicated, and armchair gardeners alike. Homeyer grew up in the 1950s learning about organic gardening from a grandfather who used manure tea and compost, not 10-10-10, herbicides, and DDT. For him, organic gardening is not a political position, but a common sense approach to having the best soil and the healthiest plants. Of special relevance to denizens of zones 3-5, the climatic belt which includes New England and runs across southern Canada and west to the Rockies, each of the twelve chapters (one for each month) contains several pieces combining technical information, practical tips, personal reflections, and more than a little humor. An unusual feature is Homeyer's interviews with other gardeners. Meet Joe Mooney, the aging wizard of turf at Fenway Park. Spend an afternoon in the garden with Jamaica Kincaid. Visit Jean and Wes Cate, growers of heirloom vegetables at Fox Run Farm. Learn more about the White House gardens from chief horticulturist Dale Haney. Or marvel at Marguerite Tewksbury, an 85-year-old organic gardener who single-handedly runs a farm stand, drives her 1950 Ford Ferguson tractor, and weeds her 6,000-square-foot vegetable patch with a full-sized rototiller. "She doesn't say that keeping active and eating organically keeps her healthy and vigorous, but I have a feeling that it does," writes Homeyer.

Garden Friends is a story about a boy, a dog, a garden, and how friendships can be formed in the most unusual places. Aries and Lucy are on a mission to find out who is taking vegetables from the garden. Modern-day detectives, they stumble on clues that help solve the case. Garden Friends is a story about these relationships and giving of oneself to help others. The story line is appropriate for all ages, young and old, for the overall lesson can be applied to all our lives. It is a simple story with an important message that is brought to life by the illustrations.

Perhaps you are familiar with the term "gardening." It is a tangle of weirdness. Turns out there's more to it than growing a lovely lawn or prolific pepper plant. Planet Pomegranate is a collection of columns written by journalist Laura Christman for the Home & Garden section of the Record Searchlight, the daily newspaper in Redding, Calif. The pieces are a mix of conversations, observation, reflections and frustrations. Some related to the garden; some are not. Revealed are the stories of: -the spindly spring of tenacious Bermuda grass -the petticoat that joined the family -the pumpkin that perplexed a newsroom -the joyful journey of the wandering lemons -the greatest donkey that ever lived Planet Pomegranate explores the wonder of growing - whether it's in the garden or as a person. It is about growing stuff, growing up, staying curious and finding joy in simple things. And appreciating pomegranates - it's about that too.

Organic Gardening magazine inspires and empowers readers with trusted information about how to grow the freshest, most healthful food, create a beautiful, safe haven around their homes, use our natural resources wisely, and care for the environment in all aspects of their lives.