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The Natural Gardener

In her introduction to ‘The Natural Gardener’, Val Bourne comments that she didn’t set out to become a natural gardener - “no blinding conversion on the road to a modern Damasacus” - rather she has been moulded by her experiences with natural gardening “slowly penetrating my soul”.

As we have come to expect from this author, her latest book is written in her usual enthusiastic and passionate style which cannot fail to infect the reader. ‘The Natural Gardener’ takes us through a year at Homefield, Val’s own garden on the borders of the Cotswolds, which is humming with wildlife and shows us that it is possible to work within natural principles and overcome difficulties creatively to make a garden which is wildlife friendly but also beautiful.

Many gardeners worry that attracting wildlife means cultivating a weed-filled tract rather than a well kept garden so for those of us who fall into that camp ‘The Natural Gardener’ will offer refreshing advice, for it does not foster that idea. Val explains the strategies she uses to attract bumblebees, beetles and other creatures that interact with plants in a complex web of life to become her ‘jigsaw’ of helpers.

She carefully and entertainingly takes us through each season bringing to life the magic of her garden and the plants she grows in it. Her garden at Homefield is a large organic cottage garden, planted with rare and unusual plants and as we follow her through her gardening year we begin to appreciate her knowledge and inspiration.

Val is a well-known gardening writer who makes regular contributions to newspapers and magazines. She is also a winner of the Garden Writers’ Guild Book of the Year Award in 2004. ‘The Natural Gardener’ has stunning photography by Clive Nichols which perfectly complements Val’s easy and comfortable style.

An inspirational book written from a personal perspective, full of sound advice and encouragement. Published by Frances Lincoln ‘The Natural Gardener’ by Val Bourne is on sale now price £14.99. Purchase online at Amazon and save 30% off the rrp (as going to press).

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