Beds I Have Known: Confessions of a Passionate Amateur Gardener

by Martha Smith

With her characteristic sense of humor, Martha Smith introduces this new edition by describing the Mae West Memorial Garden that adorns her four-shades-of-purple Victorian house, planted to complement the color scheme with huge dahlias, violet gladioli, lilac lilies, and roses cloaked in a heady perfume. In The Seed Is Hope; the Crop Is Joy, meet Peter Neff, who has sculpted an English cottage garden at the Alzheimer's unit of the Eleanor Slater State Hospital. In Who Ya Callin' Yellow?, visit the Tranquil Lake Nursery with Warren Leach and Philip Boucher to view lilies at their peak. Compare the author with her nemesis, the tall, blonde, rich other Martha, with her own publishing and entertaining empire. Prowl about the grounds of Blithewold, the turn-of-the-century Rhode Island seaside mansion, with chief horticulturist Julie Morris. Chat about academia, women, and wildflowers with the legendary Irene Stuckey, retired professor of plant physiology at the University of Rhode Island.

For Martha Smith, gardening is not so much about winning prizes as it is about people and the secrets they generously share, and about friendships firmly rooted in a common passion. By the last chapter, readers will have learned many valuable tips about gardening, and will have laughed even more.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Memoir

Paperback

First published June 1, 1990

Reviews

[Bloomin’Chick (Jo) aka The Eclectic Spoonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book last February (2007). I spent the weekend with one of my longtime best friends at her apartment in Manhattan and we went to "The Strand" used bookstore. (One of the most amazing & largest used book stores I've ever been to!) I was down stairs looking at all of the gardening books and once I wiped the drool off my chin I got to looking for gardening books that were more like personal accounts of gardeners & their gardens as opposed to how-to books. I came across this one & loved the title ~ then I opened it and the author had signed it and written a message to some woman named "Jo" ~ I just had to buy it! It stays on my nightstand and so far I love what I've read!

[Naturegirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book at a thrift store in East Hampton, and I’m so thrilled I did. Anyone who loves gardening stories will adore this book. The writing is superb, humorous, and inviting. I’m slightly inspired to try a dahlia bulb or two this year at my own peril thanks to this story. Reading the book in January plays right into seed catalog season and I most likely ordered too many seeds being inspired by Martha. If you love gardening, do give this one a try.

[Mollie *scoutrmom* · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's not to love about a woman with the guts to title a chapter "Peonies Envy"?

This is a heartwarmingly wonderful collection of gardens and gardeners and garden experiences wrapped up in silly. There are stories about garden parties, bullet lists, and an adorable quiz: "13. Use the word "anemone" in a sentence, as in: 'He never had anemone in the world.'"

If you've ever stuck a seed in dirt, this book is for you.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most "my garden and what I've learned from it" books make me feel like I'd like to know the gardener personally, and this one is no exception. Martha Smith is funny and interesting, and I share her conviction that for some of us, gardening is not a competitive sport (as per her essay on entering the Rhode Island Dahlia Show).

[Cheryl S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one a lot. Recommended by a GR friend in the Obsessed Gardener Group and so glad I read it.

[Vanessa · Rating 1 out of 5]

some fun stories.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and charming gardening essays. Really enjoyed.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has a great sense of humor. This was a joy to read!