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Rosefiend Cordell (aka Melinda R. Cordell) has been a municipal horticulturist, and has worked as a greenhouse manager, a perennials czar, a landscaper laborer, and a landscape designer through her career, and she ran a public rose garden with over 300 roses (mostly antique roses). Now she writes books (it's easier on the back) about what she's learned over the years in gardening. The maple that she's posing with in her author photo is one she planted in the parks system in the late 1990s. Good times! Rosefiend Cordell is her gardening book pen name; she writes epic fantasy with dragons under her real name (you can read those as well, hint hint).
This book is a game changer for the horticulturist wannabe in me. In my last review of Don't Throw in the Trowel , I talked about keeping a journal, but this book gives you actual tips for that journal. When I hear the word journal, I think of jotting down my thoughts and feelings of the day; however, there is so much more that should go into it. Through this, gardening becomes a year-round activity instead of just something to do in the summer months. One of the best things I took away from this book is working in a plant-positive way. It makes so much sense and seems so obvious, but for some reason never crossed my mind. Using earthworms are powerhouses of soil, preventing disease by ensuring your plants are strong and healthy instead of using chemicals, just duh, but my brain never put that together. For anyone looking for advice on making gardening a year-round endeavor, this is the book for you. I've found all of Melinda's garden guides to be fun, funny and very user friendly. Also great are the gorgeous photos and timelines and suggestion on combos that work well, zone wise, plant/ design wise. Lots of love for plants and gardens, with serious info broken down in a way that keeps it real. Better than anything I ever expected in a garden guide! --This text refers to the paperback edition.
