Tasha Tudor's Garden

139 pages long with chapters:Introduction A Garden Lost in Time; April & Before Prelude To Spring;May The Garden Awakens;June Flowers of Profusion;July Daisy Garlands & Delphinums;August Lilies & Berries to Spare;September & Beyond Gathering the Harvest Scattered about the beautiful as well as informative pages are various water colours that Ms Tudor has done. And the photographs are such that they are inspirational as well as realistic and give the reader a sense of what the average gardener can do. This isn't a book that is a show off. It is a book that is earthy, pretty and old fashioned and a must for those of us who have inherited or bought or rent a cottage-home with vast possibilities for gardening.I especially like reading about the early thaw in April when the roads are to muddy for even the UPS to get to her house to deliver the vast amounts of seeds and bulbs she has ordered. And it was so nice to see that Ms Tutor loves bulbs to the excess like the rest of us. The pieces on her vegetables and fruits harvested and either cooked or canned made me smile as well as reminded me of what I loved about my childhood and why as old fashioned as it sounds still love to do. Cooking, baking, canning are things I find fun and not at all boring or a chore.Reading about her chicks and chickens and the decades she has kept birds was wonderful and another reminder of the joys of being self sufficient. And reading of her green house which in winter keeps her vase full of blooms (page 32) reminded me of why it is worth the expense of having even a small warm spot to grow flowers in the winter.But it is the writings and art of the crocuses that I keep coming back to see and read about. Unless you have awoken on a chilly spring day and seen the first crocus peaking out of the earth, you just cant image the joy and the sense of hopefulness this is. And I appreciated her suggestions on what type primroses to buy. And the photo on page 42 of the many stacked clay pots reminded me of how simple items can become art within our environments. And on page 62 I was happy to see that Forget Me Nots go well with the pale Johhny Jump Ups. Had never seen the combination before but will now try it.Oh and the sweet peas, which were my Dads favorite and always planted in February during Presidents week. And her wood burning cook stove looks just like my neighbors, and what we want in the future, with a gas supply backup. This is simply one of those books that if you love cottage or homestead gardening must own. It wont sit on your shelf but will be on you bedside table, computer desk or next to your favorite reading area, since you cant resist picking it up to enjoy over and over.

Years ago, I chose Tasha Tudor as my role model. This book shows why. . .Richard Brown is such a gifted photojournalist- he really gives you a feeling that he knows/you can know Tasha Tudor. Tovah Martin's narrative is also very insightful- but the pictures tell it all. When I want to 'get away', I can just open this book. Treat yourself to this gift, and share one with a friend.

I heard Ms. Martin speak at the National Wildlife Federation in Virginia just after she wrote this book. At the time, I had no idea who Tasha Tudor was. I loved the talk and the slides Ms. Martin showed us during her lecture. I bought the book because I wanted to remember these pictures for a long, long time. They are beautiful. I showed the book to my granddaughters Hannah and Amelia who immediately recognized Tasha Tudor, since she illustrates children's books. The children and I enjoyed looking at the photos of Tasha's daily life. We see her working in her garden at different times of the year, feeding her goats, or walking with her Corgis (The Corgis are everywhere--probably why I love the book. You can garden and have dogs!)In one photo, Tasha sits in the midst of a clump of pink lillies sketching a pretty model dressed in an 19th century antebellum gown of light grey silk. Another photo shows a closeup of a pretty blue bowl filled with fresh red raspberries resting on green mint leaves. In another photo, Tasha sits with a cup of tea in a delicate blue and white china cup and saucer. The book contains examples of Tasha's artwork created for the children's books. There's not a lot of text. Think of this the photo album of your favorite Aunt. I own hundreds of art books and gardening books, and this is one of the prettiest.

The pictures in the book were well worth price charged. My inspiration for gardening soars immensely whenever I open its pages. I feel like I'm stepping back in time when life was simpler and moving at a much slower pace.I'd reccommend this book to anyone who loves gardening, artistic beauty, and the great outdoors. TASHA TUDOR IS GREAT! SHE IS ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE PEOPLE!