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Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden

by Jessica Walliser

The concept of growing certain plants together to benefit the whole garden now has the science behind it to explain its success. Companion planting has a long history of use by gardeners, but the explanation of why it works has been filled with folklore and guesswork.

In Plant Partners (Storey Publishing, 206 pages, $24.95), the author delivers research-based reasoning for this popular growing technique, offering ways to use scientifically tested plant partnerships to benefit your garden. Through an enhanced understanding of how plants interact with and influence each other, this guide suggests specific plant combinations that improve soil health and weed control, decrease pest damage, and increase biodiversity, resulting in positive impacts in the garden. Discover dozens of partnerships that offer fresh strategies to break up heavy soils, combat weeds, and reduce pests and diseases, while also improving pollination.

The Complete Guide to No-Dig Gardening

by Charlie Nardozzi

A lush, productive vegetable, herb, and flower garden doesn’t have to require endless hours of time, unlimited energy, and back-breaking work. No-dig gardening methods let you keep the rototiller in the shed and focus on what you like best—planting and harvesting.

The Complete Guide to No-Dig Gardening (Cool Springs Press, 128 pages, $24.99) shows you how to build healthy, easy-to-plant garden soil by adding layers of organic matter using one of several different no-dig techniques. Whether you garden in a small, urban backyard or on several acres in the country, this simple approach lets you grow more food and blooms than ever. Plus, when you don’t disturb the soil, weed seeds stay buried deep where they can’t germinate, and carbon is kept sequestered in the ground. No-dig gardening techniques also lead to less need for watering and a healthy population of beneficial soil microbes that help feed your plants by breaking down organic matter and releasing nutrients.

The Earth in Her Hands: 75 Extraordinary Women Working in the World of Plants

by Jennifer Jewell

The host of public radio’s award-winning program and podcast Cultivating Place, Jennifer Jewell introduces 75 inspiring women in her empowering book, The Earth in Her Hands (Timber Press, 324 pages, $35).

Working in wide-ranging fields that include botany, floral design, landscape architecture, farming, writing, soil science, herbalism, food justice, and many more, these influencers are creating change from the ground up. Filled with personal stories and insights, the author’s portraits reveal a devotion that transcends age, locale, and background, reminding us of the important role of green growing things in our world and our lives. The Earth in Her Hands makes a wonderful and inspiring gift for all gardeners or simply any woman, regardless of her garden expertise level.