garden98011's Blog

Val Easton's Book Launch
Nov 16, 2009 | 9:45 PM PST

My sweet friend invited me to Val Easton's book launch at the UofW Center for Urban Horticulture this evening-what a treat!   If you haven't read anything by Val, I highly recommend her books and articles for this winter's garden reading. 

Val's new book "The NEW Low-Maintenance Garden" is full of new concepts and oodles of beautiful photographs.  Empty nesters, Val & her husband moved to a smaller home on Whidbey Island a few years ago at that same time her husband announced he was done being the garden boy; he was going to enjoy kayaking, and other activities outside the garden(I am soooooo not mentioning that part to my DH!)!   She said it took her three years before she finally decided he was seriously not going to help her any more so she designed a garden she could manage herself.  She now has time to enjoy the same activities.

Several years ago I attended Bible study at my sweet friend's house-she lived right across the street from Val in her Seattle house.  I was honored to tour her lavish gardens back then-all the while thinking - oh my....tons of work.  We have very similar taste-fewer  flowers than most, prefer foliage of various texture & colors.  Seeing Val's new, smaller garden certainly has my mind whirling tonight....

The book is chock full of fantastic ideas to help simplify your garden (and your life) including how to incorporate edibles into your garden and installing smart, sustainable hardscape.

Enjoy!

~Andrea