The Garden in Every Sense and Season: A Year of Insights and Inspiration from My Garden

by Tovah Martin

“Reminds us that the best way to get to know a garden is through our senses. Don't expect to make it through many pages before you feel an urge to run outdoors to reintroduce yourself to your own landscape.” —Michelle Slatalla,  Gardenista

So much of gardening is focused on seasonal to-do lists and daily upkeep. But what about taking time to just enjoy the garden? The Garden in Every Sense and Season urges you to revel in what you’ve created. From the heady fragrance of spring lilacs to the delicious silence of a winter snowfall, writer and lifelong gardener Tovah Martin explores the glories of her garden using the five senses. Her sage advice and gratifying reflections on the rewards of a more mindful way of gardening will inspire you to look closer, breathe deeper, listen harder, and truly savor the gifts of your garden.



 

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Nature

232 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2018

Reviews

[Bandita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a part memoir and part collection of the author's reflection and musings. This book goes into details about the different senses and comparing with the gardens, nature, and seasons. The cover is really pretty too. Would definitely recommend!

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover on this one is so cute! I enjoyed this one. It's one of those books that works best as a "when you have a few minutes to spare" type of read. I loved diving in to the author's thoughts and her descriptions brought things to life.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

[Lorilin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tovah Martin writes a lot of gardening books. I own many of them, and I really enjoy her down-to-earth, knowledgeable, and encouraging perspective. This book is a little different from others she's written. It reads more like a long journal entry, maybe even like a love letter to her garden. It asks the reader to stop working the earth like a mad-person and try to peacefully observe and enjoy it sometimes. I like when Martin says in the intro, that she's made senseless mistakes in her garden because of numbness and overwhelm. "This," she says, "is the frantic response of the frenetic gardener." Instead, the goal should be not just to work hard, cultivate, tame, but also to truly love and appreciate the fruits of your labor. It's a nice message---a peaceful and relaxing message. After finishing the book, I definitely wanted to slow down and simply exist in my outdoor space for a bit.

The book is divided into four main sections: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. And each of those sections is divided into five subsections: sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste. There are some beautiful photos in here, but they aren't the main focus---the "chill out" message is.

Though I think just about anyone can get something from this book, it's going to be more fun to read if you have some general gardening experience and plant knowledge under your belt. It wouldn't have been nearly as interesting for me if I hadn't already been familiar with what most of these plants look like, as well as how they grow and when. Overall, though, this is a mellow and inspirational book. I enjoyed reading it.

[Lorilin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tovah Martin writes a lot of gardening books. I own many of them, and I really enjoy her down-to-earth, knowledgeable, and encouraging perspective. This book is a little different from others she's written. It reads more like a long journal entry, maybe even like a love letter to her garden. It asks the reader to stop working the earth like a mad-person and try to peacefully observe and enjoy it sometimes. I like when Martin says in the intro, that she's made senseless mistakes in her garden because of numbness and overwhelm. "This," she says, "is the frantic response of the frenetic gardener." Instead, the goal should be not just to work hard, cultivate, tame, but also to truly love and appreciate the fruits of your labor. It's a nice message---a peaceful and relaxing message. After finishing the book, I definitely wanted to slow down and simply exist in my outdoor space for a bit.

The book is divided into four main sections:  Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. And each of those sections is divided into five subsections:  sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste. There are some beautiful photos in here, but they aren't the main focus---the "chill out" message is.

Though I think just about anyone can get something from this book, it's going to be more fun to read if you have some general gardening experience and plant knowledge under your belt. It wouldn't have been nearly as interesting for me if I hadn't already been familiar with what most of these plants look like, as well as how they grow and when. Overall, though, this is a mellow and inspirational book. I enjoyed reading it.

ARC provided by publisher through Amazon Vine.

See more of my book reviews at www.BugBugBooks.com!

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tovah reminds you that flowers, your garden and the wildlife are not just for looking at, rushing past, quickly weeding, instead she focuses on the five senses touch, sight, sound, smell and taste and explores each one of these for each of the seasons. It all about relaxing, appreciating, enjoying and exploring what we have in out gardens.

She has a very natural way of explaining colour companions and foliage with structure. Building a garden no matter what size takes planning and preparation, but there is no check list and must do in this book, taking the pressure of planting and setting at set times. Instead, Stop, Slow Down, Relax and Enjoy. It is a more relaxed approach and Tovah’s approach to life seems to come through in her approach to gardening and plants.

This is a refreshing look at gardening today. It should be a pastime or a hobby not a job. I found that even though I am a UK gardener, mainly of vegetables, there were lots of things that were relevant and useful. It is good to see another persons thoughts and perspectives.

This is a beautifully laid out book with stunning photographs. I have read this on a PC, but I know if I had the physical book in my hands I would be dipping in and out of it often. The writing is set out more as a story of a journey through the year of a garden, rather than a book about a garden.

This is a book I would definitely recommend. I really loved it. The photographs and words compliment each other beautifully.

[Marzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars

Please note that the review name of this book was The Garden in Every Sense and Season and that Finding Joy in Every Season is a more accurate way of conveying this lovely book's message.

If you are a person who plans everything and who makes lists of things to do, like I am, sometimes it's hard to remember to stop and smell the roses. Tovah Martin is talking to us here, about just that- about taking the time to really see, smell, revel in, the seasonal changes in our gardens. To enjoy those moments of stillness in winter (ever listened for the sound of cracking when it's super cold? The slow drip of ice off branches?), the first pale yellow tinged green of spring shoots emerging from branches, crocuses and snowdrops peeping above the melting snow on the ground, and so on, throughout the seasons until the very last leaf drops from a tree, signaling the start of winter.

This is a beautiful book that you can enjoy whether you are a lifelong gardener or a beginning one.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The synopsis for this book calls it "lyrical essays on gardening" and that's exactly what it is. This is a book of one gardener's musings about her own extensive garden/homestead, season by season, as explored in each sense. It starts with spring and moves through the author's experiences with touch, sight, smell, sound and taste for each season. It is punctuated with beautiful photos of her garden, home, property and goats.

If you enjoy reading lyrical essays about things and also love gardening (or reading about it), this will be a pleasure for you to read. I am more fond of actually learning things than just reading hundreds of pages of someone's thoughts about her own garden, no matter how pretty the words or the garden. I found myself rushing through the pages.

I'm also a different sort of gardener than the author. She has a huge property, beautiful house and elaborate, well maintained gardens. I live in a small town on a corner lot and my garden does its best to defy me more than any of my kids (even the teenagers) ever did. I mostly let it run free and go play with my kids, and then just rob it of its bounty when the tomatoes are ripe or the cilantro is big enough to trim. Martin, by contrast, eradicates things like wild roses and keeps her garden well controlled. She's a plant disciplinarian, where I am a free spirit.

This is a pretty book and probably a great read for the dead of winter or the poor gardening soul who is trapped in the city and can't garden. As for me, even though it is the dead of winter (despite being mid-March, thanks Minnesota), I am off to make garden lists of my own and read seed catalogs instead.

(Note: I read this book through an ARC loan via NetGalley.)

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Garden in Every Sense and Season by Tovah is an excellent memoir/collection of natural observations and reflections that the author has placed together into a wonderful book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

This is such a calming, relaxing, and enjoyable narrative that is a reflection and collection of observations on not only nature, a personal garden, but also life over the annual change of seasons within the author's personal grounds.

It was wonderful to be reminded to not only stop to notice all that is around you, all that you are blessed with, but also all of the rewards from the hard work that you have put into a space. So many times we focus on all the tasks needed, checklists that need to be checked, and all of the objectives that we forget to see the little things. The author has a real talent in reflection and observation. I have a new outlook on not only my personal garden that I have been starting, but also in my natural habitat that I walk through on my daily walks as well.

A great book. Truly.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Timber Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Instagram, Amazon, and B&N accounts upon publication.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading each Season Section along with the Calendar. Will be returning to this book everytime the Season Changes. 12 -21-20

I love the writing style of this book. Lines like "Spring is incredibly sexy and Confession: My Garden verges on too racy in spring. Some people might find it appalling. You should turn the page and move to another topic if (1) you have any tendencies toward being buttoned-down, (2) your garden style is limited to only shades of green, (3) you are prone to pooh-poohing gardens of color........Call me trashy, but I like my garden vibrant in the spring."

This book is divided into seasons, something i adore in gardening books. What can I say it suits my List Making/Organizing Mindset. I'm putting on my Ongoing Shelf and marking my calendar to read each section at the turn of the Season. - Spring 2020

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book full of reflections and moments. A great read that I loved.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Kelly Hodgkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tovah Martin sets the scene for The Garden in Every Sense and Season with this opening statement "I have learned that unless you consciously experience your garden, you might be blind to its beauty. And if you don't listen, it will remain mute." She spends the book teaching the reader amazing things about our gardens, things we can experience with no more than observation.

Broken into each season, she describes beautifully how each of the five senses takes them in. For example: "Spring is no season for the faint of heart, on any level. It bursts. It throbs. It reverberates with the affirmation of life. It's all about purposeful excess. If we're going to have a growing season, spring has to hit the ground running. So it makes perfect sense that yellow predominates in spring." and "True blue isn't often found in the garden. In the natural realm, cobalt blossoms are scarce. Instead, we usually get purples and mauves. But not in spring. This is the season when all the azure, indigo, cerulean, and sailor shades come out of the closet."

It is jam-packed full of gardening wisdom, so much I couldn't include all of my favourite lines, they are too numerous! I loved every minute of this book and spent time digesting each segment and going out and experiencing my own garden afresh. Here are five of my favourites:

"The intensity of their fragrance is affects by whether you grow your daffodils in full sun or partial shade. The soil in which your daffodils are anchored can also make a difference. Even the temperatures can affect how much aroma each flower pumps out. Those inputs often sway scent and its production. Just like we are what we eat, flowers are the sum total of their incoming data. So visit lots of daffodils at all times of day, and be inquisitive."

"But when working with nature, chilling out leads to incredible collaborations. You have to leave openings to let the unexpected happen...The foxgloves went wild long ago, much to everyone's delight. Again, that began intentionally with some foxglove purchases, but seedlings took the invitation and ran with it into all the right places."

"Any garden is best framed by some sky. For those of us with fanatical collecting tendencies, this becomes critical. You need some opportunities to catch your breath in a garden. Pathways and brief expanses of lawn or stonework help to define negative space, but if all else fails, the sky can form a border. Factor it in when you're designing a garden. Think about it when you're pruning up trees and shrubs. Send the eye up there and let it dwell on silhouettes. Reflect the azure breathing space down to your feet with shallow pools, rills and ponds."

"Dragonflies and damselflies do a whole different zoom. They sound like little sports cards revving their engines as they dart around. They need a nearby body of water (my swampy pond is their ideal) in which to rear a family. Preferably, it should have shelves of soil and upright aquatic plants standing along the edges for egg-laying and resting purposes. And another plus is that dragonflies and damselflies consume quantities of mosquitoes. Meanwhile, these helicopter impersonators are a riot to watch."

"A straightforward grassy path sends a walk-this-way message for a quit gait. Stepping stones would slow the pace."

The book is also full of beautiful imagery - I just love the goats, they have big characters!

Wrapping up, Tovah concludes "This book is about how you come to link with you lands on all levels, however you can make that happen. It is very individual, it is very deep, and it can mean the world." I highly recommend this book, it is by far the best gardening book I've read. Five out of five, I'd give more if I could! If you love poetic descriptions and gardens, read it now!

From the back cover:
So much of gardening is focused on the monthly checklists, seasonal to-do lists, and daily upkeep—weed this area, plant these seeds, prune this tree, rake these leaves, dig this hole—frantically done all year long. But what about taking the time to truly enjoy the garden in every sense? In The Garden in Every Sense and Season does just that. Beginning the heady blooms of spring and closing with putting the garden to bed in winter, Tovah Martin mindfully explores her garden through sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste. She sees the bright yellow daffodils of spring, smells summer’s pungent roses, hears the crows in autumn, and tastes winter’s juicy citrus. In 100 evocative essays, Martin shares sage garden advice and intimate reflections on her own garden. The Garden in Every Sense and Season, from one of the greatest garden writers of our time, urges gardeners to inhale, savor, and become more attuned with their gardens.

With thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for this advanced copy

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

he Garden in Every Sense and Season by Tovah Martin
I've known who Tovah Martin is for years. I've had a few of her books home from the library but mostly looked at the images and don't remember much about the text. But when I read a description of her latest book, "The Garden in Every Sense and Season," it inspired me to go right out and buy it. This is a book to savor, to treasure and read again and again.

Though it is chock-full of visuals of flowers and veggies, birds and butterflies and other garden creatures, I found Martin's writing to be so rich and evocative I read whole sentences and paragraphs more than once. And then I made a note about where to find that moving and meaningful text I loved. And where to locate that laugh-out-loud description. And what was it she said about the gene for floral fragrance? I have a sheet of paper in the book where I am constantly noting information or just bits I want to remember and read again later.

In "The Garden in Every SENSE and SEASON," Martin covers those two concepts, first, by dividing the book into four sections based on — you guessed it — the four seasons. Then she subdivides each season into the five senses: Sight, smell, sound, touch and taste. Within each seasonal section, Martin follows the senses in the same order of presentation though the offerings under each obviously change according to the time of year. It is a brilliant way to organize information and to help us know where we're going as we read and to remember where we've been.

 Not surprisingly, Martin begins the book with Spring, and so everything she is writing about is happening in our gardens right now; thus making it perfect to read along as each season progresses. I will admit I did start reading a bit of the Summer section with all the hot days we've been having. But I decided that starting at the beginning of each seasonal section as it unfolds in reality lets me relate what Martin is saying to what I am seeing and doing in my garden at the moment. I feel it makes for a much more profound experience reading it that way. 

Martin describes so many moments I've experienced a thousand times in the garden and yet I never stopped to truly acknowledge what was happening. "Summer is the dribble of sweat running into your mouth," says Martin, "seasoned with a dash of sunscreen and a pinch of bug repellent." How many times has that happened and I've been annoyed, never thinking to savor the moment as a true sign of summer? 

This spring Martin has me noting the thump and rhythm of my tools as I cut back winter debris and looking at my gates which she points out are our "first encounter with the garden." Despite our slow, strange, constantly changing Spring I am enjoying my time in the garden much more now that I have Tovah Martin at my side.

(Just finished the summer chapters on 7/8/2018 which I enjoyed equally. I am saving "Fall" until the season arrives.)

[Laurel Bradshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book, beautiful photos, lyrical writing, a book that can be savored slowly over time as I did throughout the year. As much photos as text - maybe more. The essays are each a page or two. The book is divided into seasons, and subdivided by each of the 5 senses. This is not a how-to book about gardening, but a meditation on nature in general as expressed through gardening. As an avid gardener I could identify with all the pains and pleasures, and am familiar with most of the plants and critters mentioned. It makes me wish it were not mid-December, but closer to April, so that I could get back into the yard. Much of the winter section talked about houseplants and forcing bulbs to bring the outdoors inside. Unfortunately, I live in a basement apartment with only an east window (and three cats), so my indoor gardening is virtually nil.

Book description: So much of gardening is focused on the long list of chores—the weeding, planting, and pruning. But what about the joy a garden can provide? In The Garden in Every Sense and Season, Tovah Martin explores the sensory delights in her own garden in 100 evocative essays. Martin shares sage garden advice, offers intimate reflections on her own garden, and urges us to inhale, savor, and become more attuned to our gardens. Packed with lush color photographs, The Garden in Every Sense and Season will help you grow a bounty of gratitude in your own home garden.

[Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was wonderful! Martin's The Indestructible Houseplant encouraged me to finally attempt houseplants after successfully killing every single one I've ever had. I've now successfully kept most of them alive!

This book will help you see your garden/grounds in a different way. As a newbie, maintaining even my small yard is intimidating at times. But, I now am more engaged with my plants, willing to take more chances, and using all my senses to help figure out what they want and need. This is a fun book, with great photos and you'll walk away with tons of ideas of what you want to plant and new games to play in your gardens.

Highly recommend if you are at all interested in the subject matter.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is lovely. The author writes in a comfortable style and the photos she shares of her own garden are enjoyable. The main idea of the book is to encourage the gardener to spend time in their garden not as a worker but as a spectator. In each season we are given opportunities to engage with our garden through our senses. I will admit that as a beginner gardener (as in I've planted begonias, hostas, clematis, and carrots), the constant use of unfamiliar plant names with few pictures as a reference left me feeling a little like I was reading a textbook. As an avid bird watcher though, I enjoyed the regular references to various familiar birds. I have fed birds for years and enjoyed their chatter and antics.

[Melanie Coombes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book to savor. The author introduces us to her garden and her love for the differences each season brings. The book is divided into the four seasons and in each, the author describes her garden using the five senses. Included are beautiful photographs. The author tries to get the reader to stop putting order into gardening and instead, just walk and enjoy all the joys the outside can surprise you with. I loved this book and will turn to it often for inspiration. Its a book I want to have laying on my table all year long.
I received a complimentary book from Librarything Early Reviewers.

[Misti · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of the seasons resonated with me except for winter because my winter is not quite her winter...it's nothing like it! I can imagine it is hard to write about winter in general as a garden writer--the senses and scenes are vastly different than what we experience the rest of the year.

This book goes up on the bookshelf with other garden essayists writing about their own garden experiences and gives us a reason to stop and slow down.

Note: I received a digital copy in return for my review via NetGalley.

[Lynndell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for the opportunity to read and review The Garden in Every Sense and Season by Tovah Martin. This gardening book is separated into the four seasons with each season further categorized into the five senses. Beautiful photos of all types of plants, weather, some birds and even a cat are included for this journey of the senses throughout the year. Advice and wisdom is bestowed upon the reader by the knowledgeable author regarding asparagus, kale, wild grapes and even winter’s frost. A relaxing, enjoyable read for garden inspiration, 5 stars!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my self-imposed topical reading challenge. I wanted to find a gardening book that isn’t just a how-to, and this one turned out lovely. She has a way with words that makes gardening sound like something to savor in every sense, and made me wish for some more space so I could load my yard up with flowers and shrubs as well as the veggies we’re attempting. My only complaint is that I wish there were pictures! She’s so descriptive about different plant cultivars, and as someone who is new to this and rather clueless, it would have been nice to have that visual.

[Chris Eirschele · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Garden in Every Sense and Season: A Year of Insights and Inspiration From My Garden by Tovah Martin.

A garden book for taking notes planning your next garden. The chapters are divided by seasons and subdivided by senses.

While there are no pictures Martin has added a volume of plant names in her writings for each season, including winter.

The Contents includes page numbers for the sense at the front of the book. There is an Index at the back of the book.
Worth keeping a highlighter and pencil at the ready to make notations.

[Jonesy.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Garden in every Sense and Season is a wonderful journey that delights all of your senses. This book is written with such enthusiasm for nature and the great outdoors that the words transport you off the page. I can practically smell the blossoms as Tovah Martin describes them in her eloquently inspired words. An excellent read especially in the winter months to cheer up the soul in anticipation of the coming spring ahead.

[Matt Mattus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect bedside companion for any plant lover, a gardener of any level or nature lover. The concept is brilliant as Tovah shares her gardening experiences through scent, sight, sound, and vision. Factor in that she is garden royalty and knowledgable and you practically have the perfect book to revisit again and again.

[Bonnie Westmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was pure joy. I enjoyed every season. Reading it was a sensory experience in itself. I found it in a little garden store at University Village, in Seattle. It was e peaceful, healing little book that made me appreciate all the sensory experiences in my garden and those around me that often go unnoticed. Each is a gift.

[Lanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful book that I will probably be rereading every winter, when one can only dream about being out in the garden. Highly recommend, with the understanding that this is not a how-to. You may learn a thing or two along the way, but this is garden writing for those who appreciate Beverly Nichols and the likes.

[Victoria Peipert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful homage to gardens, sensory experiences, nature, and seasons. I love Tovah's writing style and the images are beautiful. Such a delightful reminder how nurturing mother nature can be so fruitful and enlightening.

Definitely a lovely collection addition for any gardener!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book! The author takes us on a year long journey through the seasons and reminds us that after all of the work we put into a garden, it is even more important to take time to savor it, to experience it fully through all of our senses. I know I will re-read this over and over again.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. Tovah Martin has you use every one of your senses to the full in getting to know your garden & to fall in love with it (or see it’s full potential) even more. I read it season by season & it couldn’t have been more perfect.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A unique approach to gardening. The books is divided into the four seasons, than by the senses. Includes great hints such as a person that eats bananas will attract honey bees! Another is rue can deter deer, but can be harmful to sensitive skin. Beautiful photos.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the descriptions provided. Due to the fact that the author gave many plant names in list formats, I wish there had been a reference section in which I could look up the plant with a picture of that plant.

[Julie Joiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delectable as Jars if Jam

Informative, beautiful, and delightful. Ticked the boxes my yearning of the gems in each of the four seasons. It's a book I will refer back to and recommend.