Raised Bed Revolution by Tara Nolan

RAISED BED REVOLUTION by Tara Nolan is coming out in paperback this month. It is a helpful resource for gardeners and also provides some nice plans for amateur carpenters who would like to craft their own raised beds for flowers or vegetables. I particularly liked the option with built-in benches pictured on the cover, although she offers other suggestions such as using bricks, rocks, or timbers as the frame. Additional plans to construct include an elevated planter box and a vertical herb planter. Nolan, a garden writer from Toronto, describes everything from proper drainage and soil mix to what to plant (ranging across ornamentals, pollinator friendly plants, and edibles). She has included options for a beginning gardener as well as those with more experience. For example, one section tells how to build a raised bed with a pond and then lists some water friendly plants. The pictures throughout are colorful and amply illustrate her suggestions (e.g., adding an arch or trellis). Whether you hope to cultivate vegetables and fruits or establish your own cutting garden, RAISED BED REVOLUTION will give you plenty of ideas and inspiration.