I usually enjoy writing a book review, but occasionally I am sent a book that leaves me totally uninspired. This is not because it isn’t a good book, it is, if you are into DIY it will be just what you are looking for. The Raised Bed Revolution by Tara Nolan is published by Cool Springs Press in 2016 with an imprint by Quarto Publishing Group Inc.
Thinking it would be packed with information and ideas about growing things in raised beds, I quickly discovered it was far more of a build your own DIY guide and I was disappointed, it was just not my sort of book. However, if you are adept at wielding a saw, screwdriver and electric drill, you will find it a book to motivate you with great ideas into building your own raised beds. It might be that you are the gardener and your partner is happy making things, or the other way around, in which case the book would suit you both. With detailed shopping lists of the items required to make a variety of beds, it comes with clear pictorial instructions.
Growing edibles or flowers in a raised bed has countless advantages, such as economy of space, water conservation, portability, and accessibility. Raised Bed Revolution offers complete reference information on how to get started, covering subjects such as growing-medium options, rooftop gardening, cost-effective gardening solutions, planting tips, watering strategies.
There are lots of interesting ideas, including a wooden potato growing box, recycling an old table into a lettuce box and a laddered herb planter, which I particularly liked, but I would have to find someone to make it for me. There are informative pieces within the chapters on the do’s and dont’s of gardening with raised beds, but the Raised Bed Revolution still struck me as being predominantly a ‘How to Build your Raised Bed’ book.
Tara Nolan is a freelance writer and writes gardening articles in Toronta Star and Canadian Living magazine. A few years ago, along with three members of the Garden Writers Association, Tara co-founded a gardening website at http://www.Savvygardening.com. If you are a Facebook user you can find her on FB – Facebook.com/raisedbedrevolution.
