Slow Gardening: A No-Stress Philosophy for All Senses and All Seasons

by Felder Rushing, Roger B. Swain (Foreword)

Thanks to the resurgence of home and community gardening, more and more people are discovering the pleasure of biting into a sun-ripened tomato picked right off the vine, the earthy smell of freshly turned soil, and the cheerful harbingers of spring such as daffodils, irises, and pansies. But they are also discovering that gardening can be a heck of a lot of work. So what happens when keeping up with the weeds turns into a full-time job? What do you do when gardening becomes stressful? Slow Gardening to the rescue! Inspired by Slow Food, an international movement that promotes local food systems and biological and cultural diversity, the slow-gardening approach can help us all appreciate and enjoy our gardens more, year in and year out.Felder Rushing, a well-known and truly one-of-a-kind garden expert, offers this practical yet philosophical approach to gardening - one that will help you slow down, take stock of your yard, and follow your own creative whimsy in the garden. Slow Gardening will inspire you to slip into the rhythm of the seasons, take it easy, and get more enjoyment out of your garden, all at the same time.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Nature

232 pages, Paperback

First published June 24, 2011

About the author

Felder Rushing is a 10th-generation American gardener whose pioneer ancestors settled across the Southeast, bringing many plants with them. Rushing's overstuffed, quirky cottage garden has been featured in many TV programs and magazines (including a cover of Southern Living), and includes a huge variety of weather-hardy plants along with a collection of folk art. There is no turfgrass, just plants, yard art, and "people places."

The author or co-author of 15 gardening books (including several national award winners) and former Extension Service urban horticulture specialist has written thousands of gardening columns in syndicated newspapers, and has had hundreds of articles and photographs published in regional and national garden magazines, including Garden Design, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Better Homes and Gardens, Fine Gardening, Organic Gardening, and the National Geographic. He has hosted a television program that was shown across the South, and appeared many times on other TV garden programs. Felder currently cohosts a call-in garden program over public radio with his longtime friend Dr. Dirt called The Gestalt Gardener.

Rushing has served many years as a distinctly non-stuffy board member of the American Horticulture Society, national director of the Garden Writers Association, and member of the National Youth Gardening Committee. Felder gives over a hundred lectures a year, coast to coast at flower shows, horticultural and plant society meetings, and Master Gardener conferences. Believing that too many would-be gardeners are intimidated by a crush of "how-to" experts ("We are daunted, not dumb," he says), Felder uses an offbeat, "down home" approach rife with humorous anecdotes and garden-irreverent metaphors, zany observations, and stunning photography and to help gardeners get past the "stinkin' rules" of horticulture.

Reviews

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this gardening book that is more than just about how to garden - it delves into the psychology of gardening and how gardening relates to our senses. I especially loved the author's focus on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in regards to gardening. The glossy color photos are beautiful and inviting. This book is inspiring in a "slow" way.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not a book I would buy. It's a whimsical hodge podge of philosophy & tips.

[Narariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow Gardening was a decent book, but it does seem to be less of a book on gardening and more on "accept the differences" and "be yourself." I found the organization of the book difficult to understand; it didn't seem to flow well or have chapters named to help find things easily. I did enjoy the scattered quotes and approved of the idea of trying to minimize garden work, as well as the green/organic undertones. I don't recall running across any novel ideas for gardening or gardening projects. It doesn't seem the book is geared towards beginner gardeners, because nothing is really in-depth or "how to." But it doesn't seem to fit what I think a more advanced gardener would like because the concepts seem very basic. Not a waste of time, but not a book I'll re-read or look to as a reference.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and helpful.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book changed my life. It taught me to ignore the list of chores that need to be done in the yard, and focus my attention on one thing at a time. It doesn't all have to be done today, or this week, or this season. It's never done, in fact; no garden is ever perfect or finished, and if it was, I'd probably hate it. I enjoy my time outside digging in the dirt much more than I did before I read this. And I accomplished more this season than ever have, one thing at a time.

[Astin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raised in rainy SE Alaska, I was thrilled to see anything come up in the garden other than salmon berries. I was definitely not raised with a green thumb. I treated this book as much as a primer on gardening on general as much as the philosophy of doing it right. Slow food. Slow gardening. Its the new thing. Its an entertaining read - Felder is hilariously sarcastic. This book is helpful for anybody seeking an entertaining foray into some new gardening ideas.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow Gardening: A No-Stress Philosophy for All Senses and Seasons by Felder Rushing (Chelsea Green Publishing 2011) (635.9) is Felder's manifesto towards gardening: slow and easy wins the race. More an explanation of gardening philosophy than a gardening book, this is nevertheless a worthwhile read. My rating: 6/10, finished 4/19/12.

[Clara Dearmore Strom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great gardening book for anyone who feels guilty about not pulling weeds every day. Slow down and enjoy your time outdoors. Unless you are a farmer and are farming acres and acres you will enjoy the relaxing approach to gardening. I did.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't exactly read it - mostly skimmed it. I think the author mostly wanted to share photos - they are cool photos to look at - but they distracted me from the text. Then when I read the text I didn't find anything useful or interesting. Mostly the author was just trying to be clever.

[Kris Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mom insisted I read the 2nd chapter on Garden Psychology. Liked it so much I kept reading! Teachers- great stuff linking gardening to Piaget and Gardner's multiple intelligences. And yes, as promised in the title, this book is more philosophy, less how-to. This would be a good one to own.

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty general knowledge; nice photos.

[Rose Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not particularly helpful.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice and engaging - zen of gardening style book with some good tips for life and horticultural goals.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much new content presented here. Sorry!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the humor of the author, and the pictures fueled my creativity. I did not learn anything new, but that didn't bother me too much.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Felder Rushing. I want to be just like him!!

[Kelly Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great reminder that gardening should be fun! It's a light read with great information. Not like typical gardening books.

[Sara Q · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reads like a series of meandering blog posts without any helpful attention paid to any given topic.