Becoming a Gardener: What Reading and Digging Taught Me about Living

by Catie Marron

A beautifully designed, full-color personal account of what it means to become a gardener, filled with specially commissioned color photography, watercolors, and fine art and adorned with satin ribbon markers.

To make her new house in Connecticut truly feel like home, Catie Marron decided to create a garden. But while she was familiar with landscape design, she had never grown anything. A dedicated reader with a lifelong passion for literature, Marron turned to the library of gardening books she’d collected to glean advice from a variety of writers on gardening and horticultural topics both grand and small. 

Marron’s quest to become a gardener, however, was about more than learning the basics about mulch or which plants work best in the shade. She sought something far more elusive: to identify the core qualities and characteristics that make a person a gardener and an understanding of what a garden could mean to her as it had to multitudes of other gardeners over the centuries.

In Rooted, Catie Marron chronicles her transformation into a gardener over the course of eighteen months, seeding the details of her experience with rich advice from writers as diverse as Eleanor Perényi and Karel Capek, Penelope Lively, and Jamaica Kincaid. As she digs deeper into her readings and works in the garden itself, Marron not only discovers the essence of gardening but in the words of Michael Pollan, “the endlessly engrossing ways that cultivating a garden attaches a body to the earth.”

A delightful blend of informed opinion, personal reflection, and practical advice, Rooted explores topics as varied as the composition of dirt, the agricultural wisdom of avid kitchen gardeners George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, the healing power of digging in the soil, and the beauty of finding solitude in nature. Throughout, Marron carefully plants special illustrated features, such as musings on the merits (and detriments) of the rose, essential tools, moonlight gardening, children’s books which feature gardens, and her favorite gardens around the world. Also included is an annotated list of recommended writers, books, and films related to gardens and gardening, and a monthly to-do calendar.

Featuring specially commissioned illustrations by the Danish team All the Way to Paris, and stunning photographs by acclaimed photographer William Abranowicz that capture the pastoral beauty of Marron’s Connecticut garden, Rooted is a very special and moving portrait of life and the enduring power of literature and nature that is sure to become an instant classic.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Memoir, Nature, Audiobook, Biography Memoir, Self Help

256 pages, Hardcover

Published May 3, 2022

About the author

Marron’s career has encompassed investment banking, magazine journalism,
public service, and book publishing. Catie Marron is the creator and editor of two
anthologies published by HarperCollins which explore the value and significance
of urban public spaces: City Squares, Eighteen Writers on the Spirit and Significance of
Squares Around the World (2016), and City Parks: Public Places, Private Thoughts (2013).
She is currently working on a third book for HarperCollins, which centers on how
gardens and the process of their creation enrich lives.

She is a trustee and Chair Emeritus of The New York Public Library, where she
was Chairman of the Board from 2004 to 2011. Marron is also a trustee of Friends
of the High Line, where she was also Board Chair, and a trustee of The
Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Her first career was in investment banking, at Morgan Stanley and then at Lehman
Brothers. She then became Senior Features Editor at Vogue, where she has been a
contributing editor for twenty years. While writing her books, Marron launched
GoodCompanies, a curated, online guide to companies that strive to do good
while also making a profit. This venture was shaped in part by the success of
Treasure & Bond, a pop-up store that she co-founded with Nordstrom and Anna
Wintour in 2011. All of the store’s profits went to charities benefiting NYC
children.

Reviews

[Gretchen Rubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no desire to garden but I love books about gardening. This meditative memoir looks at the power of gardening, with gorgeous illustrations.

[Emilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I made the mistake of not knowing what this book was before I picked it up. On the surface it seems 100% something I'd love. The title literally says "what reading and digging taught me about living." How perfect can you get? I was so excited to read it. The general feel of this book is a kind of poetical love for gardens rather than a how-to book, which is totally fine. The author is someone who has loved the idea of gardening for years, but has been hesitant to actually dive in for one reason or another (it felt like looking into a mirror for me, honestly). I expected to go on a journey of trial, error, and discovery with a fellow novice who jumps in to the world of gardening and struggles with learning how to work with nature before finally reaching some kind of cottagecore enlightenment and wisdom. But I missed the signs until well over 3/4 of the way into the book.

The first sign was that she has traveled the world enough to have specific favorite gardens she has visited multiple times, including in Italy and France. The next sign was that she owns property in Connecticut and spent a solid 18 months choosing fencing, not based on price, but based on aesthetics. Every time she mentioned something like planting literally 1000 tulips, or chatting with her garden consultant, or getting familiar with hand crafted gardening tools the way you would a set of golf clubs or a tennis racquet, I felt some surprise that slowly turned into realization. The author is in fact part of the top 1%, with money and resources enough to hire a team to do her planning, planting, gardening, everything. I was bitterly disappointed when I made this discovery.

I have no doubt that Marron loves gardens, that she experienced great depression when she lost her husband, or that she stumbles her way through learning like everyone else. But it is a little hard to be relatable when you are a multi-millionaire who has had the literal atrium of the MoMA named in your honor and can afford a team of professionals to not only guide you in your endeavors but also do as much of the work for you as you want. I really did enjoy most of this book up until learning that information, but everything I read afterwards was a struggle between being fair and open to the author and feeling like she was so far out of my financial universe that she didn't even realize how disingenuous and unattainable her experiences are.

I honestly don't hate her for her wealth, and I can't claim that she ever lied in the book, but to save me some heartache I wish the book would have been called "Gardening for the 1%: What Money and Professionals Helped a Very Rich Lady Achieve"

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise is so promising. A long-time city dweller moves to a lot of Connecticut. Despite loving the house, it does not feel like home. Then her husband unexpectedly passes away. Then lockdown settles in. Inspired by the new bucolic location and her reading, she decides to become a gardener and over the next 18 months digs in (literally) to the soil and figuratively to the cultural and literary influence of gardening in her favorite authors. I had no idea, for instance, that the same guy who gave us The War with the Newts was a prolific garden diarist with a passion for soil building.

However, the premise is somewhat muddled in the book through indecision: is this a biography? a bibliography? a garden book? Sometimes Marron will allude to something beautiful, like a picture she took of her children touching toes when swinging on opposite giant trees...and then not give us the picture. Instead there will be more watercolors. Lots and lots of watercolors. Not a bad thing all-in-all, but I was expecting the biography. Or at least more artsy pictures of the garden.

The garden, also somewhat disappointingly, is the product of a designer and a builder and a (I think) full-time gardener. It's hard to feel a deep kinship with the "dirt gardeners" through so many layers of privilege. Look, I'd love a builder and a designer, too, but I'd love to hear more of Marron's struggle, the choices that she made, the mistakes she made without, or in spite of, the platoon of experts. I'm not certain what it takes to talk a publisher into making a coffee-table and gift book of your gardening journey, but I can't help but think it was a little bit who you know.

[Becky of Becky's Bookshelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Both books and gardens give our imaginations a chance to roam and create our own private worlds. They let us escape time, entertaining us, and offer us pleasure and beauty. Certainly a garden is a glorious place to read. It is rich with life lessons-ample ground for any writer to explore.” Catie Marron

Becoming a Gardener What Reading and Digging Taught me about Living by @catiemarron is an absolutely beautiful book. This book is filled with stunning pictures, beautiful watercolors, and garden art. The author weaves her gardening journey with wisdom, resources, and practical tips for your own gardening. Her writing is magical and I found myself reading parts aloud to my husband. I savored this book as I carved out time each day to read the beautiful text and gaze at the pictures and art.

What makes this book unique for me is that it is not only practical but also beautiful and philosophical. I believe this is a book you will want to have out in your home to inspire you to garden and live life more fully. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the author's family found a house in Connecticut, she couldn't help but feel it would always belong to the previous owner. So, one morning she decided to "root" herself to the land, hoping it would help root her to the house. She decided to create a garden even though she had never grown anything. She turned to her gardening library and began reading and learning. In addition to having personal stories, she shows us the healing power of digging in the soil and finding solitude in nature. She also includes practical advice on the essential tools, moonlight gardening, and resources so you can start your own garden, no matter how big or small.

Becoming a Gardener might be the most beautiful book, and I loved how it was put together. It could've easily just been a memoir about gardening à la Dominique Browning. Instead, it has gorgeous illustrations and photographs. There's something about sharing the author's excitement and enthusiasm for gardening, which was infectious. I also love how she included gardening quotes and advice from other writers.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo...

[Lynda Coker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book a 5 + 5 star rating because I loved this book that much.

Incorporating a practical, artistic, visual, and philosophical view of what gardening can do for us personally, it touched me on so many levels. Books are often called avenues of escape. But how often do you find one that you can return to again and again, escaping into a different adventure each time?

You can do two things with this book, read to learn and gather information or browse through the gallery of fabulous photography and beautiful watercolors. But don't rush either because you'll miss something wonderful if you do.

From the planning stage to the finished garden and everything in between. New and seasoned gardeners will find this book a delight. And it's a book you'll want to share or gift to others.

I encourage you to stop by my Youtube channel where I do a Flip-through Review of this book. My channel name: Books and IckyChicDesigns on Etsy
https://youtu.be/UEmud16schI

I thank HarperCollins Publishers for a complimentary copy of this book.

[Annalise Lind · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful book that will make anyone fall in love with gardening, reading about gardening, and enjoying art depicting gardening!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book about gardening. She quotes so many wonderful writers that deal with gardens!

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a garden and a library you have everything you need - Cicero. A lovely book. Catie Marron relates gardening and life lessons. She writes about gardening history using authors, books and artists. Part memoir, part how to with lovely watercolor illustrations. It’s a book for your own library.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Harper Collins Canada for a copy of this book in exchange for my review

This book is beautiful! I’m always looking for different opinions about gardening and learning what others have learned. The photography in this book is absolutely stunning. I learned a lot and will be using this information this summer when I’m gardening!

[Barb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think a better title for this book would be, "Romancing the Garden" or "Gardening for the Wealthy". I expected a nitty-gritty, hands-on description of the journey of becoming an average, down-home gardener. Instead it started off by describing the author's visit to gardens in different parts of the world. There were additional descriptions of putting in 1,000 plants and an irrigation system in her Connecticut home.

I loved the idea of each family member picking out a tree and planting it but who has the money and/or the space for this endeavor? I could envision buying a sapling as a gift to a family or child.

I don't doubt the sincerity of the author's journey and historical information relative to gardening. It's just that, from my perspective, the content and the title didn't match.

[Sharron · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m relieved I borrowed this book from the library rather than buying it. It is little more than a vanity press publication and I can’t figure out who its intended audience is. Ladies who lunch? Someone as new to gardening as its author is - 18 months of experience and that with a professional garden designer - would be better served by reading Adam Frost’s new book, “ How to Create Your Garden”.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

BECOMING A GARDENER was exactly how the title describes this book. Throughout this beautiful read, it shows the beauty in nature and watercolor art of gardens, trees, flowers, gardners, and veggies in pictures.

This informative book gives you insight and tips on gardening and gives you specific information on things you may want to grow such as pumpkins, kale, roses, and so much more. Prior to reading this book, I had no idea about gardening but I’ve always wanted to learn. After reading this book, I have so much insight on what it takes to making and running a garden. The illustrations in this book are truly inspiring.

It also discusses the history of gardening and the information that the author was given. The author even mentions that gardening is learned from others. People learn from other people. This is exactly what this book is doing. At the appendix, it has to do lists and it describes each month of what should be done as a gardener. For instance, January order flower seeds. All the tips and tricks you can learn and become a gardener or just more tricks if you are already one! It teaches you to get ahead of the seasons and what to do to become the best gardener.

[Jennybeast · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am realizing that this might actually be a book I would enjoy if I had experienced it as something other than an audiobook -- it would definitely be improved by visuals.

I want to be kind about it -- as a fellow reader and gardener, I enjoy how Marron weaves the two together. I have great compassion for her grief and the solace the garden gives.

Ultimately, however, there are many reasons why this book was not for me. It reeks of privilege -- moving from the house on Long Island to the house in Connecticut, with its rolling acres of land; the ability to hire garden designers to do work for you, to garden in company with garden designers (are the hired to do the work for her? Are they friends stopping by?); and the flat-out blind spot of holding up our "founding fathers" as wonderful gardening inspirations -- ugh, really? You think Jefferson was out there doing his own digging? You're not even going to acknowledge the slave labor that went into Monticello? Or to Washington's farms?

[Linda Mcdermitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe this book, Becoming a Gardener, should be read in one sitting. That way, it offers a full picture of the quest of one woman to follow in the footsteps of many gardeners she has read, admired, and sought wisdom from. It gave me a calming sense of possible failure and seeking success. It gave me a heart for this woman who credited the garden with helping her through sorrow. She is very well read on the garden forefathers and mothers and knows when to bring them in to the subject at hand. In the end, she says, “At the end of the day, I am someone who gardens, and that’s enough for me”.

While she has two homes and help where she needs it, I believe she maintains a humble outlook and is a helpful read for anyone who wants to be someone who gardens. Lovely watercolors and pictures throughout reinforce the artistry of gardening.

I’m glad I purchased this book and intend to pull it down when I need inspiration and to visit with a gardening friend.

[Bridgette Guerzon Mills · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a gardening book for the 1 percenters of the world who can hire a landscape architect and designer for not just the landscaping, but another one for the vegetables. Reading the book it also seemed that she had a team of landscapers helping her. So not sure how you become a gardener and learn about life when you have a hired team.

I think that people who gave this book rave reviews might possibly not be gardeners and possibly were starstruck by her background, which I read after I finished the book. There's no real practical advice or substance. It's a beautiful book with photos and watercolors. However I thought the watercolors were done by the author, inspired by her garden. But no, not hers. So that was a disappointment too.

Glad that she reconnected to the earth and found solace in her land, I wish that for everyone. But this book was definitely not for me.

[Gail GB · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a beautiful book with incredible watercolors throughout the book. It’s well written, easy to follow her process in her garden plan and we could feel her joy throughout the book. I loved that she had her family select and name their trees. It’s what I did with my children, so I smiled with the memories.

One of the treads throughout the book was the subtle reminder of her wealth. A few reviewers downgraded their ratings because of that fact. I did not. What it did remind me, though, even the wealthy could not escape the COVID pandemic or death of a spouse. We all equally share in those sorrowful events.

[Luci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite quite a few negative reviews on this book, I really liked it. It was basically what I was expecting when checking this book out at the library. I enjoyed it so much that I'll be ordering a copy of my own. This isn't a hardy, how-to gardening book. This is a reflective memoir coming from someone who has been through a lot of heartbreak, and how the healing powers of the garden affected her. I enjoyed all the photographs and watercolors, and the book was very well-organized and easy to read. There was definitely some romanticization of gardening in there, which lost a star for me, but it didn't take away from the overarching message.

[shhhmommysreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I walk past this beauty I have to stop and look at a few pages. As I look through the pages, I feel instantly relaxed.

Becoming A Gardener by Catie Marron is GORGEOUS! The glossy and vibrant pages, the photographs and illustrations, the gardening tips and the author's writing - it all comes together to create an amazing conversation piece.

A big thanks to Harper Collins Canada for the gift! It came at the perfect time as I plant my garden this week - I have some great inspiration to draw from now!

[Bjipson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This may well be the most beautiful gardening book ever -- in the running for the most beautiful book on any topic at all, for that matter. Lovely, heavy paper, stunning photographs, gorgeous watercolors; it's a real treasure, physically. On the other hand, the structure seems disjointed and doesn't particularly live up to the subtitle of the book. Marron gives us a little of this, a little of that; some history of other gardens, some of her garden, and maybe I missed it, but there didn't seem to be a through line to the text. Still, it's breathtakingly gorgeous...

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author is very wealthy. So her gardening experience is different from most people's because she employs people to do the work for her. She does not discuss how she finds the people, what they do, how much it costs, which ideas are hers and which theirs. So it is a missed opportunity. However, if you are in or near the 1% you may enjoy it. It does have lovely photographs and illustrations. A nice coffee table book for those who don't have seedlings and house plants on the coffee table.

[little free lib-rei-ry (•̀ᴗ•́)و ̑̑ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A vivid memoir recollecting how the author, by way of numerous literary mentors who have also had profound impact on myself, gathers the strength to build and return to her gardens. Remaining a steadfast thread through her life, the act of gardening is able to literally keep her rooted through life's difficult fluctuations. Pandemic literature remains surreal to read, but understanding how others navigate(d) the pandemic continues to be a refuge as I struggle to process things, myself.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m trying to listen to some gardening books to inspire me before my upcoming move. Reading the description of this book on Goodreads, it sounds like it was designed to be read, not listened to. Even so, I enjoyed it and did take away my own ideas for what I want my garden to be or not be. It’s not the most well organized book narratively. It was hard to follow the author’s life timeline. But I was more interested in her journey as a gardener and it delivered in that regard.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book with beautiful photos and reflections from the author and famous writers about different elements of gardening. I most appreciated the personal narrative that was woven through the book. I also felt inspired to learn from the great writers that had their voices shared in the book. I think that the crowning glory of it all was the photographs. Excellent.

[Lizzytish · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exquisite book full of beautiful art work and photo and quotes. . The author wants to transform her land into a garden. She gives her personal opinions along with practical advice to encourage the gardener.

[Lonnie Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a lovely book. Pictures were beautiful. I have always tried to have a garden but gave up in frustration. This book has so much to offer in terms of what to plant and grow not only successfully, but to enjoy and get relaxation along the way. Thank you Catie

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was mostly quotes and stories from other famous gardeners. It also included some odd pieces of art that were randomly sprinkled throughout. I did get some recommendations for other books about gardening but this one was a disappointment.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated book is more about the soul-nourishing aspects of gardening than about practical tips - which I loved. It did its job of inspiring me to take more chances in my garden, and to enjoy the everyday work of it as much as the delicious or aesthetic rewards of it.

[Elizabeth Ingari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very pleased with my experience of enjoying this book. It provided much inspiration for myself, an amateur gardener. The rich text includes vivid, imagery, good storytelling, and many references from literature. I especially enjoyed the art and photography that brought the text to life.

[Vi]

Becoming a Gardener didn't quite scratch the itch for another gardening memoir. I wish Catie Marron included more remembering and reflecting on her own gardening than sharing what she read in other books and research. It is, however, a beautiful, large size, cloth-bound volume.