Sticky Wicket: Gardening in Tune with Nature

by Pam Lewis

An increasing number of gardeners now wish to modify their gardening habits to benefit the local wildlife. Pam Lewis is no exception. Her initial vision for Sticky Wicket, her garden in Dorset, was to create an approach similar to painting when combining colors in the flower borders. But, as the years passed, her desire to strike a

207 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2007

Reviews

[Ginni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the ultimate wildlife gardening book; a very fascinating and inspirational read, although few of us have 5 acres and the opportunity to make garden creation a full time occupation. I would also say that readers need to know their plants, and be prepared for a great deal of detail and some sophisticated use of language.
This was published in 2005, and is now I think out of print. I borrowed it from the library. I googled ‘Sticky Wicket’ and was sad to learn that Pam Lewis’ husband, her gardening partner and strongman for all the hard physical work, died in 2004. An article written in ‘The Telegraph’ in 2013 described how Pam Lewis (who must be in her mid 70s now) has ‘let the garden go’, so it is less of a garden and more of a wildlife wilderness. I would have liked to visit it in its heyday.

[Sylvia Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually, this is the 4th or 5th time I've read this book. I long for inspirational gardening literature in the middle of a cold, grey, dreary winter, a book that isn't so much of a how-to as a why-to. The author and her husband have created a garden that's not only beautiful (and listed in "101 Gardens You Must See Before You Die"), but welcoming to frogs, birds, insects, bats, and all kinds of little creatures. In England, there aren't any big creatures left. I'm always amazed at how HARD they are willing to work! I feel tired just reading about it. Beautiful writing to inspire my dreams.

[Harry Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational read about the formation of a wildlife garden, her devotion to the natural world is complete. She has some great ideas to use in any garden such as threading cut off hedge trimmings into and piling on top of the hedge to thicken it. It is also filled with plenty of useful bits of information regarding the beneficial impact of each plants on wildlife. At some points it does seem to over state the eco practices in every thing they do, but thats probably because i feel most readers of this book are likely to be reasonably wildlife friendly gardeners anyway; but maybe not. Over all an informative read and it has encouraged me to think more about some of the ways i garden.

[Tree Hugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my number one favorite gardening book ever. It's an inspiration and one I read over and over. I can't wait to see her third book. My dream is to visit her garden on day.
If you want to garden to attract wildlife (butterflies etc) this book is not to be missed