The Regenerative Gardener's Handbook: Essential Techniques for Growing a Garden That Leaves the Land Healthier Than You Found It

by Briana Selstad Bosch

In this comprehensive handbook, Briana Bosch of Blossom and Branch Farm teaches you how to grow flowers, herbs, and vegetables in a way that improves the soil, supports pollinators and birds, and minimizes the use of store-bought products.

Eco-conscious gardeners have always done their best to minimize the harm they cause—by not using synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, for example. But today's gardeners want to go beyond "do no harm" and have a positive effect on the environment. The goal of regenerative gardening is to leave the world a better to create living soil, improve habitats for insect pollinators and birds, reduce the presence of invasive species, minimize the gardener's carbon footprint and use of plastic, and help sequester carbon from the atmosphere.

Author Briana Bosch, founder of Blossom and Branch Farm, teaches the key principles for regenerative recognize the garden as its own ecosystem, know your soil, minimize the "purchased garden," build your soil armor, plant for biodiversity, create living soil, choose plants wisely, minimize soil disturbance, and close the garden loop. In addition to teaching all the skills necessary to carry out these principles, Bosch offers a season-by-season guide to implementing them—from when to start garden cleanup in the spring (later that you'd think, to avoid disrupting overwintering beneficial insects) to how to use cover crops strategically to enrich the soil and retain moisture throughout the year. 

This publication conforms to the EPUB Accessibility specification at WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published January 27, 2026

Reviews

[Chapters & Chives · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been looking for a reliable guide for outdoor gardening for awhile now. THIS is it!!

5/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Regenerative Gardener's Handbook by Briana Bosch outlines not gardening techniques, but essential companion planting and soil composition that will increase the biodiversity and natural ecosystem within the garden. Making sure there are plants that foster the health of local birds, wildlife, and bugs will increase the pest control in your garden, increase beneficial nutrient deposits in the soil, and improve overall health of plant yields and root systems.

Thank you @netgalley and @storeypub for the #gifted ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is an essential resource for everyone who likes to garden. It will ensure your yields are fruitful and allow you to give back more to your local community and your pantry!

[Lynn Wohlwend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great advice for anyone looking to reduce their negative impact on the environment while exploring a larger garden or farm. Acre for acre, home gardeners produce more carbon emissions than industrial farms, and over-reliance on compost, peat moss, (don't do it!) and herbicides contributes to harms done.

Most people take up gardening because they appreciate nature, but learning how to garden sustainably is a lost skill. It's certainly one I need help with. Or as Bosch notes, "For many, gardening has become a bit of a financial joke--'I grew this tomato and it only cost me $200!' is often chortled about in gardening circles. In a way, the act of gardening has become a wealthy person's hobby."

To me, the main idea behind this book is to really slow down and PLAN. You need to build good soils first! and that's hard to do when beautiful dahlias and zinnias seem within a seed-toss's (or tuber's) length. Some things I plan to try out:

--Making my own soil mix for seedlings with her recipes. (I've purchased the coconut coir!)
--Planting annuals WAY closer together
--Using underplanting for mutualism (ex. after you plant zinnias, add aromatic basil underneath)
--Cover crops for new beds
--Trying out deep mulching to "grow" soil
--Avoiding landscape fabrics and plastic pots (soil blockers, baby!)
--Planting native plants next to nonnative flowers to bring in beneficial bugs
--Mixing up your rows of veggies (aka don't plant every tomato plant or turnip you got next to each other--makes for a bug fest)

Anyway, I discovered this book through Bosch's YouTube channel, where she's mostly known as a flower farmer. There's a lot of hype about making money through flower farms right now, but I've found her advice straightforward and valuable. Check out her channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@Blossomandbr....

Happy spring, y'all!

[Mary Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author writes out of success and failure…and passion!…without being preachy or sanctimonious. I added to my understanding of regenerative gardening ways that are practical.

[Chatti · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Regenerative Gardener’s Handbook goes far beyond organic gardening. Briana Bosch doesn’t just tell you what to do she shows you why regenerative practices matter, and how small, thoughtful shifts can rebuild soil, ecosystems, and our relationship with the land.

What I especially appreciate is how grounded this book feels. Bosch shares real-world examples of common problems, like overcropping, and offers practical ways to recognize, reduce, and eliminate them. There is a strong emphasis on soil health as the foundation of everything, alongside thoughtful discussions about reducing plastic use in the garden and choosing more sustainable alternatives.

This book truly feels like it’s for everyone. Even if you can’t implement every step or technique right away, it’s still an incredibly valuable jumping-off point. You’re invited to learn, experiment, and adapt at your own pace. Bosch is remarkably generous with her knowledge. Many of us may already follow her on Instagram or YouTube, where she shares so much for free, but having everything gathered into one cohesive, easy-to-navigate book is a gift. Instead of endlessly scrolling, you can flip through pages, revisit ideas, and deepen your understanding in a more intentional way.

You can feel her passion in her writing. Bosch approaches gardening from the “roots up”; addressing underlying imbalances rather than simply treating surface level symptoms. In many ways, her philosophy mirrors holistic medicine: strengthen the system as a whole, and resilience follows.

The handbook is packed with useful, approachable sections, including:
Organic fertilizers and soil amendments
Using native plants to attract pollinators
Building a leaf tower to collect leaves and create leaf mold
A seasonal overview of what to do in the garden
Each topic is presented in a way that feels accessible rather than overwhelming.

My one small critique is that it truly reads like a handbook which will be a plus for many readers. Personally, I would have loved a small glimpse into the farmer herself, especially for those who may not already know Bosch through her social media channels. A bit more personal storytelling would have added another layer of connection.

If you’re curious about regenerative gardening, already practicing it, or simply want to grow in a way that feels more aligned with nature, The Regenerative Gardener’s Handbook is a wonderful resource

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Susan Wachtel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Regenerative Gardener's Handbook by Briana Selstad Bosch – Helpful, Informative and Enjoyable Gardening Resource

I recently discovered Briana Selstad Bosch’s gardening YouTube channel and have enjoyed learning some gardening tips and techniques from a flower farmer. That’s why I wanted to read her first book The Regenerative Gardener's Handbook - Essential Techniques for Growing a Garden That Leaves the Land Healthier Than You Found It.

The focus of this book is about building up and supporting the foundation of your garden, the soil. It was helpful to understand the difference between organic gardening and regenerative gardening and how various practices and techniques can help improve soil. That in turn will help you grow healthy plants.

Understanding the ecosystem of your garden can help you make choices that will benefit your garden. Choices in fertilizers, to pest and disease control, and what plants you want to include can make a difference. Whether you are a home gardener or farmer, taking good care of the soil is essential to being able to grow and care for healthy plants.

Briana helps the reader to understand what we introduce into our garden can impact the health of our soil and plants. From mulching to cover crops and weed management we can make choices strengthen our soil. What we plant in our garden and how we manage it can impact the biodiversity. I appreciated the simple charts and comparisons to help me make good choices for our garden.

As a home gardener on a small lot, I may not be able to do all the recommendations a flower farmer can do. But as I learn and implement good practices, use new techniques, introduce beneficial products into our garden, I can continue learn to grow and enjoy the plants and garden we are blessed to tend.

I enjoyed reading The Regenerative Gardener’s Handbook by Briana Selstad Bosch and look forward to continuing to learn about and implement practices that will benefit our garden. If you are a home gardener or garden on a much bigger scale, you may enjoy and benefit on the information shared in this gardening resource.

I would like to thank Storey Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of The Regenerative Gardener’s Handbook by Briana Selstad Bosch. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much useful information – my brain is now happily mulched with new ideas. I love it. “The Regenerative Gardener’s Handbook” by Briana Selstad Bosch is a fantastic gateway into the world of regenerative gardening.

Right from the start, I appreciated how Bosch shares her first-hand experiences and lessons learned while establishing regenerative methods on her own farm. There is a wealth of science and practical information on soil, reducing dependency on the “purchased garden” and smart plant pairings - I often found myself re-reading sections to let the ideas truly sink in. Despite the depth, the writing is lively, accessible and kept me entertained. The structure, layout and insets are well thought out and the photos are both helpful and beautiful.

Though many examples are tailored to North America, the regenerative principles are easy to adapt anywhere; you just might find yourself inspired to dig up local plant lists for your own areas to ensure the plants you thought were native are actually native...

This isn’t a book for a quick weekend read. It deserves a permanent spot on your book shelf to revisit and to let its ideas transform your thinking and your garden over time. If you are serious about gardening in tune with nature and want practical, evidence-based advice which is firmly rooted in ecological understanding rather than airy-fairy concepts – this book is for you.

Thank you to Storey Publishing, NetGalley and Briana Selstad Bosch for an advance reading copy of this book.

[Barbara Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been following Briana Selstad Bosch on Instagram for a while, so I was thrilled to see she'd captured her experience and knowledge in The Regenerative Gardener's Handbook. Bosch invites new and experienced gardeners to consider the health of the soil as the foundation for all their gardening decisions and explains methods that will create a true ecosystem that doesn't require deep tilling, fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides. She asks readers to be curious and think differently about gardening practices as she explains how to return to traditional, seasonal gardening that encourages soil health and the use of natural amendments. She clearly defines regenerative gardening and differentiates from organic gardening, as well as debunking methods that seem regenerative but actually damage the ecosystem within the soil layers.

I appreciated her explanation of different methods, depending on the garden site and the gardener's time and resources. Regenerative gardening takes time in the beginning but saves time, energy, and resources over time. Bosch's explanations are thorough and rely on science as well as primary research with different types of planting methods.

For gardeners who are concerned about building and maintaining soil health and want to support native flora and fauna, The Regenerative Gardner's Handbook offers the techniques to do so.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


#netgalley #theregenerativegardenershandbook #storeypublishing

[Amelia Maness-Gilliland · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)

The Regenerative Gardener’s Handbook by Briana Bosch is an incredibly helpful and inspiring book for anyone who wants to garden in a way that actually benefits the environment. I really appreciated how much solid, practical information is packed into this book without it ever feeling overwhelming or boring.

Briana Bosch’s writing style is clear, encouraging, and easy to follow. She explains regenerative gardening in a way that makes sense, even if you’re not an expert. Instead of just telling you what to do, she helps you understand why it matters, whether it’s building healthy soil, supporting pollinators, or reducing waste in the garden. That made the advice feel meaningful and doable.

One of my favorite parts of the book is how practical it is. The season-by-season guidance is especially useful, and I liked learning things that go against common habits, like waiting longer to clean up the garden in spring to protect beneficial insects. The focus on using fewer store-bought products and working with nature instead of against it really stood out to me.

Overall, this book feels both educational and empowering. It made me think differently about gardening and gave me tools I can actually use. If you’re looking for a guide that’s thoughtful, informative, and genuinely useful, The Regenerative Gardener’s Handbook is a great choice.

A five-star read for gardeners who want to make a positive impact while growing beautiful, healthy plants.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Regenerative gardening takes to heart the idea of leaving the world a better place than when we found it. Bosch gives an overview of regenerative gardening principles, and then lays out specific techniques gardeners can use to improve the overall health of their garden spaces. One perk of regenerative gardening is that it tends to be far less expensive than standard organic gardening, since the emphasis is on reusing materials and sourcing out of your own land as much as possible. For example, instead of buying beneficial insects to release into the garden, Bosch explains how to attract local beneficial species to fly in on their own. Done right, these tactics could mean never eating another $200 tomato.

Not surprisingly, regenerative gardening does take time. In the most effective approaches, significant results can take years to develop. However, Bosch does include some shortcuts that aren't quite as effective long-term but allow gardeners to start putting seeds in the ground immediately.

Overall, this book is a great introduction to regenerative gardening concepts as well as concrete tips to apply in one's own garden.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

[Brody Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I've been looking for. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in home gardening that incorporates practices that work with nature, rather than using quick and costly amendments and solutions that may offer short-term solutions but serious consequences in a broader ecological view. I have been on the right track in my development as a gardener, but this book has given me some practical methods, new strategies, and a focus for the future as I learn to be a better steward of my land, resources, and neighbors.

Topics covered that I found especially helpful and well-written:
-A deep understanding of the the soil food web
-Cover crops and their uses
-Practical methods for starting garden beds
-A case against pesticides, herbicides, insecticides
-A critical view of over-fertilization products
-Composting methods
-Soil blocking methods and and good recipe (I currently have healthy snapdragon seedlings in blocks)
-Dense planting to encourage symbiotic pest/predator relationships to reduce harm to plants and soil
-A helpful seasonal checklist of things to accomplish

Animals aren't practical where I live, but I found the section on incorporating chickens, sheep, rabbits, etc. interesting as well.

Five stars.

[Randal White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely packed with information on how to not just raise your garden in an organic way, but how to improve and regenerate the garden to leave it much better than you received it! There is so much information in this book that I will be referring to it over and over again in the future. Well written, easily understandable, and the photos are incredible. This is a book that I didn't know I needed, but after reading it I feel like I am so much better equipped to be a responsible and thoughtful steward of my garden. Recommend it highly!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I will be buying a hard copy for myself, and recommending it to my gardening friends.

[Megan Beech · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly really enjoyed learning about the concept of regenerative gardening and it's potential. Learning to utilize spaces within a garden is absolutely important especially when it comes to switching and moving around different plants and crops for a better product in the end. It's one of those skills that takes time to learn and perfect but once it's done then the results should speak for themselves. I can't wait to try it out for myself!

I would love to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kaelee Dewit · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic resource full of information about regenerative gardening! I’ve followed Briana on Instagram for a few years now, and this book brings so much of her incredibly valuable knowledge together in one place. I can see myself using this book for years to come as I work to revive my soil in a way that encourages as much biodiversity as possible. This is one of those books that would be helpful for any gardener to have on their shelf!

Thanks to Netgalley for the Advanced copy of this fantastic resource!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive information on the why and how of regenerative gardening, including soil repair and maintenance, decreasing or eliminating use of fertilizers, companion planting and cover cropping, and ultimately enabling nature to do it's thing in order to help us in the garden. This is incredibly informative and detailed while still being understandable, which is a rare treat.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the book I didn’t know I needed. I was burnt out from reading so many gardening books this winter I hadn’t planned to read this one yet. Bought it to support all Briana does and intended to read it later, but life has other plans sometimes and I found myself drawn to it.
I’ll write more when my thoughts have been processed.

[Marcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are interested in getting back to nature and having a healthier land and garden, this is the book. Lots of details about how to create good soil naturally, along with suggested cover crops, plants, animals...lots of information to digest.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this full of lots of practical information. A very thorough guide with discussion around gardening options. Nothing surprising in there if you're familiar with regenerative practices but it's a solid overview.

[LeiLei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down, the most informative and useful gardening book I’ve ever read. I’m inspired and very excited to begin incorporating these practices into my own garden this spring 🌱

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with gardening ideas to better the land and gardens

[A.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very informative and I loved digging into it! Kept me inspired in my gardening, and I'm eager to implement the things I've learned!

[Anikakb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide for beginning regenerative gardeners: simple, powerful, and easy to follow. Wonderful ideas and beautiful pictures.

[Sobia A Khan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good for someone starting their garden.