How to Grow the Flowers: A sustainable approach to enjoying flowers through the seasons

by Camila Romain, Marianne Mogendorff

Growing flowers to cut and enjoy at home can sharpen our awareness of the world around us and make us more attuned to nature. We find it impossible to walk anywhere without spotting a prized rose in a front garden, a brassica gone to seed on a neighbouring allotment plot or a weedy verge in a carpark and considering its potential for cutting. ‘Tuning into the flowering seasons, observing and being compassionate to nature and seeking beauty in the unexpected not only makes us better gardeners but custodians of the planet.’ – Camila and Marianne Like the food revolution that focuses on provenance, locality, climate and sustainability, Camila and Marianne use these principles to address the flower market. With not much space, it is possible to use the flowers from your garden to decorate your home as well as giving bunches to friends and family instead of buying cellophane wrapped flowers from the shops that may have been covered in pesticides and travelled many miles to get to you. Flowers are something we are irresistibly drawn to and turn to at the milestone moments of our lives, at births, marriages and deaths, to connect with an estranged friend, to send love or say we’re sorry. They colour our most formative experiences and are our gateway to finding our own personal relationship with the planet we inhabit. No matter the size of your garden, this practical, but approachable guide will instill the confidence in you to grow flowers to bring into your home and enjoy all year round.

Genres: Gardening

208 pages, Hardcover

Published February 21, 2023

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're an experienced gardener, or if you've read a lot of books about gardening, you won't find much new practical information in "How to Grow the Flowers." This book's charm comes from its origins--two women who've left the business world starting a commercial operation growing flowers in the UK during COVID.

While the instructions about starting seeds, harvesting and saving seeds is useful, it's the notes about returning to work the land during a time of uncertainty that gives the book its charm.

Recommended.

[Andreia Pereira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite enjoyed the book. It explains quite in detail how to grow a flower garden using native plants and without pesticides. Particularly enjoyed the seasonal approach with what it is necessary to do around the garden. Has only a few suggestions of DIY with flowers according to the season, when compared with other similar books. But the main goal is to learn how to grow flowers not arranging them. Recommended!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly informative companion to the season and although I consumed the entirety in an evening, I know I will be reaching for this time and time again. The perfect balance of information and inspiration!

[Erinn McDowell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ah, well, this book taught me that growing flowers to enjoy at home is extremely time consuming and is a constant battle of pests and weeds so… perhaps I’ll read another one before giving up on my fresh flower vase dreams.

[Ting Pimentel-Elger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a helpful, practical and oh so beautiful book! LOVE IT! Now I am into planting flowers and making bouquets to loved people

[Ashlyn Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

The photos are GORGEOUS!!!!!! The info is well written, though not necessarily anything new if you're experienced with organic growing practices

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUCH an amazing guide. It's a visual feast. I absolutely adore how it is arranged by season. One of my favourite books of the year so far, I really dreaded sending it back to the library and would love to own a copy myself to refer to again and again. Highly recommend.