Deep in the Green: An Exploration of Country Pleasures

by Anne Raver

As gardening columnist for the New York Times, Anne Raver is one of our foremost authorities on making things grow. Even non-gardeners will find this book of essays a source of profound pleasure, for Raver is a writer who transcends her subject even as she illuminates it, writing with such passion, wisdom and stylishmess that her book will enchant anyone who reads it.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction

300 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 1995

Reviews

[Naturegirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooh, I loved this book so so much. It was written in 1996, but transported me to some of my favorite places, like the North Fork of Long Island. Anne Raver was the gardening columnist for NYT at the time and this book is a series of stories about her travels during that time and some of the interesting characters and plants she encounters along the way. There were places that were familiar to me and places mentioned that I want to go see. And based on her recommendation I went to Tractor Supply and bought some Bag Balm and now I'm a believer too. Such a lovely step back in time that still rings true today.

[Gronk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really pleasant collection of previously published columns in NYT or Newsday. Not a how to book but it certainly made me want to go out and work in the garden. It's -11F right now, not kidding, but today I'll start the tomato seeds inside and think of her words.
Ideal bedtime reading.

[Lanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book to read at night, because the chapters were short. I was left wanting to know more about the author (did she ever move back to MD?) and I did find it confusing that some of the snippets seemed to be printed out of chronological order.

[Onceinabluemoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comfy cozy collection of garden stories.

[Carole at From My Carolina Home · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful snack reading! Short essays are just the thing when you only have a minute. The gardening lore and adventures are entertaining and enjoyable.

[Lynn Canarelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flows like talking to a friend.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for anyone who likes gardening and nature

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The first gathering of garden talk from the widely admired New York Times garden columnist Anne Raver.

"She eulogizes the great trees that were once home to the gods.

"She evokes the joy of digging up one's own leeks and potatoes.

"She give us the lowdown on crickets.

"She swears by a miraculous skin cream -- created for use on cow udders.

"She remembers a Thanksgiving reunion at the family farm, which was built by her great-grandfather ('The house of our childhood is an aging soul, with wheezing pipes and trees so old they could fall on the roof. It hovers over its ancestral ground like a question: Why do children have to leave?')

"She describes the delight of bird watching and writes an anecdotal history of the most 'civilized' vegetable: the pea.

"She explores the universe of bugs -- ladybugs, aphids, leafhoppers, mealybugs, flea beetles, and little green mantises -- and she tells us which of them enrich plant growth and which do not.

"She introduces us to two dear creates: Molly, the dog, and Mr. Grey, the cat.

"She ponders life's many miracles (an Easter lily blooming close to Halloween) and concludes that the miraculous is precisely what life is all about."
~~front flap

This is a real jewel and treasure, to be kept and savored again and again. Not a book to be read all in one go, like a page turner of a mystery. Each essay is a thing unto itself -- generally 3 pages long (or the length of a column.) They range from practical gardening to how to come to grips with the changes aging parents make in your life, from resignation over the shortness of our pets' lives to the joy of a new discovery. I cannot begin to describe why this book is do delightful so that you will understand. You won't understand until you read it yourself.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a huge fan of Raver's writing style. In my opinion, she thinks she's a lot more witty than she actually comes off as on paper. Having said that, I do like my garden, and I like her general garden vibe. She has an obvious love of plants and gardening that I can appreciate, though at times she does seem to border on obsessive.

If you're not into gardening, defintely don't reommend this one.

[Faye Snyder]

Just what I needed to get into Spring!This book had been setting on my gardening book shelf for, probably, 20 years. I was looking for something else, when I spied this volume and wondered what it was about. As I read, I discovered that a large portion of it takes place in familiar territory, Maryland's Frederick and Carroll counties! Familiar joys and challenges which made me appreciate it and Anne Raver's words of gardening wisdom even more! Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book a couple times before...must have been prior to goodreads. First time entering it. She is an awesome writer. I know she moved to her family farm in Maryland but could not find a blog of hers. It would be nice to know what she is doing now. Oh. This is a collection of her New York Times gardening articles. Fun and informative!

[Mattalie Mcinerney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some tender gems in this collection of essays on life and gardening. (Also many practical tips.)Like many essay collections, it suffers a bit from the frequent transitions and maybe the organization as well. Overall though, Raver offers much worthy food for thought about topics ranging from pesticide use to pets, romance, food, family relationships, and aging.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Raver's book was like taking a country slow walk through a friend's garden while sitting in the comfort of my home. I thought the chapters could be read in any order. Some, though, tended to stray into the folksy genre. I preferred the chapters where she revealed a little of her personal story: They seemed more authentic.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book. Refreshing, thoughtful and warm chapters on gardening, love of the environment, family, the power of women and cricket poop. Delightful read. Like chatting with friend over wine and home made crusty bread slathered with rich buttery memories.

[Lisa Schwantes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A columnist for the New York Times, Raver’s short anecdotes are an “exploration of country pleasures.” Some of her gardening stories are written with witty humor and others with enchanting poignancy. The collection will make you want to put your fingers into the dirt.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a second reading--less pleasurable than the first time but a few of the essays are great.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun read for a gardener

[William · Rating 2 out of 5]

Includes some interesting anecdotes.

More about sadness than humor.

I think it would be a very good book for a different audience than myself.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of gardening essays and how gardening relates to the human condition.

[John]

Essays on life, loosely connected to gardening.

[Sandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely humorous stories - wonderful storyteller if you enjoy nature and gardening.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will inspire you to grow things. It's wonderful for those of you who love gardening and go outside like it's therapy.

[Karen Floyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anne was good company. I wonder what she and her family decided to do with the family farm....