My friend Elyse wrote a book and I wrote about it in this post. Her publisher, CICO Books (based in London) which is an imprint of Ryland Peters & Small, Ltd, did such a beautiful job of presenting her projects that I was greatly impressed. To my great delight, CICO has asked me to review some of their books from time to time. Recently, they sent me a copy of Teeny Tiny Gardening by Emma Hardy.
Oh my stars! The cover photo shows one of the delights to come: Egg Shell Gardens.
The tag line after the title is “35 step-by-step projects and inspirational ideas for gardening in tiny spaces.” I fell in love with all of them. So many of us are pressed for space nowadays, whether we live in apartments or have postage stamp-sized gardens. We want to garden, but how do we do it in the space we have? Emma Hardy provides us with all sorts of wonderful ideas.
Why not use a vintage tin? Isn’t this delightful?
Or plant some succulents in old drawers? Be still my heart. I really love this idea. The mix of weathered wood, stones and the wonderful texture of succulents speaks to me. I have some old sewing machine drawers that would be perfect for this project.
This type of stand is everywhere nowadays – whether it is in the form of a cupcake stand or a tiered basket. Adding some moss and some flowers makes for a stunning display.
Or you can make a Vertical Garden by using one of those vintage wooden soda pop boxes.
Why didn’t I think of this? I have a jadeite green colander that I’m not using. Perfect for a hanging plant, with ready made drainage holes.
I’ve had my eye on this cart from Ikea for a while. But I never thought of filling it with herbs. If you want a little kitchen garden, this might be for you. I can see it on a balcony or right outside the kitchen door.
The author provides a list of all materials needed and easy to read, step-by-step directions. I love clear directions. And there is always a tip or two included.
I love the way this book is designed. The layout is charming and the photos are stunning. There is, like there was in Elyse’s book, a signature series of illustrations that are shown throughout the book. In this case, there are lovely drawings of spades and hoes and watering cans and flowers on the endpapers that reappear on the project pages. That design element ties the whole book together rather nicely and adds a whimsical touch.
The projects that Emma Hardy has chosen to highlight are completely doable. Nothing is too complicated. Everything is beautiful. If you want to be a gardener but claim you have no space, think again! You can find space. For those of us who are gardeners but want to add visual interest to our patios or porches or decks, look no further.
Teeny Tiny Gardening by Emma Hardy is published by Cico Books at £14.99 and is available from Cico Books. It’s also available stateside at your local bookstore or through Amazon.
I think you’ll really enjoy this little treasure. To be completely honest, I can’t stop looking at it. It’s that delightful.
I’m off to get ready for rehearsal. More one-on-one coaching today. And as to the missing Polyfil, downtown Hartford, though charming, doesn’t have many shops and there are definitely no fabric or crafting shops. I either have to borrow a car when I have some free time and when will that be? Or I have to wait until I get home. And again, when will that be? I could just kick myself!
Happy Thursday.
Looks like a charming book. I have a vintage tin bread box doing nothing in my garage… A word about the colander (maybe the book mentioned this)– I planted one years ago, but the holes are really too big and dirt kept falling out. Should have lined it with moss or something first.
I just checked the project and they say to line the colander first. Good advice from you and from the author.
Oh my gosh, I can get an old colander for 50 cents at the thrift store… I know what I’ll be doing this afternoon while the air conditioner is being serviced!
Isn’t that a great idea? The book is full of them!
And now I know what to do with all the lovely vintage tins my mother gave me! What a great idea–far better than having them stacked in my storage room. Have a great day, Claudia!
You, too, Martha!
What a charming book that is! So many cute ideas. I think I might need that book.
Have a great day!
Judy
I don’t see how you can resist that book, Judy!
That is a lovely book, what fun you must have had reviewing it.
Great ideas inside those covers.
Jen
Yes, and as a gardener, you would love it!
Great review! Thanks Claudia. I love the idea of using vintage drawers. I keep seeing old sewing machine drawers at the Antique Mall. Now I know what I could use them for. :)
Go for it, Chy!
Oh, I really want to take a look at this book. Thank you.
You are most welcome, Betty.
Claudia, By putting a vacuum hose in to the plastic bag of fiber fill,it will shrink down to nothing. Maybe Don could mail it to you? They have those $5. boxes from the post office will even send to you. and I bet both fabric and fluff would fit in there? Great book! -Judy A-
The trouble with that is that I don’t think I could direct Don to where the polyfil is. It’s tucked down in a corner in my craft closet.
LOL! Got it!
What a happy book! I love all of the ideas presented here. Why, oh why, don’t I have that kind of imagination?
Blessings,
Betsy
My reaction, exactly!
That sounds like the kind of book I’d enjoy. Love the idea of gardening in wooden drawers.
Such a neat idea!
Have to get this book! I’m always looking for new or improved ways to garden…with pots and other things! Thanks Claudia! ;)
You are welcome, Donna.
Oh my — what a delighful book. It’s on my wish list at Amazon.
Good!
Oh, this really is cute! Thanks for the review, Claudia!
XO,
Sheila
You’re welcome, Sheila.
P.S. The cart from IKEA is wonderful filled with plants!
Good Afternoon Claudia, Oh my, where to start. I love the drawers which were stacked and planted with succulents. I loved the tiered basket planted with pansies, lily of the valley and little daisies. I could go on. This is an adorable book and perfect for the gardener who gardens in a small space.
I enjoyed this book.
Thank you.
Best Wishes
Daphne
You are very welcome, Daphne – it’s filled with wonderful ideas.
Gorgeous, that looks so beautiful. I love all the ideas you have shown with the pictures. What a great book to have !!
Have a wonderful day.
Thank you, Monique!
Hi Claudia~~~Adorable book! I will be adding it to my library for sure. Can’t believe I didn’t think of some of those ideas myself. Guess that’s why we are all a little different~~~so we can make each other look good lol. Have a wonderful work session.
XO, Linda
Thank you, Linda!
How creative Claudia..I must see the rest of this book!
I think you’ll love it, Nancy.
I have to get this book! It looks so interesting! I will have to see if B+N has it.
Good luck, Teresa!
As to the poly fill, is that the big bag of stuff I see at Wal mart for stuffing pillows etc? If so, can I mail you some?? Glad you and your traveling buddies are settled in. No spring in MO yet, snow flurries last night!
You are very sweet to offer, Dottie. I’m going to try to sneak out tomorrow morning and get some before I have to leave for rehearsal. Snow flurries! Oh my!
What a beautiful book! I see that I will have to add this to my wish list. I purchased Elyse’s book and I just love it- I lurk on her blog all the time :) I really think I need to do the herb cart idea- so smart! I don’t even have a lack of space, I just love the way it looks :)
I love the way it looks, too, Kim. It’s so cool!
I love the look of the drawers. I planted several sedums this past weekend.
Can’t wait to get back home for a few days and plant some seeds and maybe mulch.
Vertical gardens and fairy gardens are all the rage these days..
For good reason!
Beautiful! If I only had a little more ambition…..
Some of these ideas are very easy and don’t take much time.
What a charming book – thanks for the review. Adding this to my wish list!
Good!
Claudia I am in love with this book! It is going on my Amazon wish list for my birthday in June!! If no one buys it I will get it for myself!!! Love the photos!
hugs,
Linda
It’s absolutely charming, Linda.
What great ideas! Thanks Claudia.