Martha Stewart's new book is the ultimate gardening guide
What's the story
Martha Stewart, the 83-year-old lifestyle mogul, has released her 101st book: Martha Stewart's Gardening Handbook: The Essential Guide to Designing, Planting, and Growing. The book offers practical advice on everything from growing produce to arranging flowers. Stewart's latest offering is a testament to her four-decade-long influence in homemaking, food, and home decor. Moreover, the celebrity assures this one is different from her previous ones.
Gardening passion
Stewart's gardening journey and the new book's focus
Speaking to NPR in a recent interview, Stewart revealed that her passion for gardening started with her father at the age of three. She recalled their "modest" abode where the garden was her sanctuary. Stewart's first gardening book was published in 1991 and detailed her Turkey Hill Garden in Westport, Connecticut. But she stressed her latest book is an all-in-one guide for both novices and veterans.
Design emphasis
Book's focus on design and water conservation
Stewart's new book stresses the need for design in gardening. She elaborated her philosophy of "choose the use," pushing gardeners to determine what they want from their yard. The book also stresses conserving water, and planting natives- something Stewart strongly supports. She said, "There's a huge trend about native plants and what are natives? Plants that grow naturally in an environment, plants that are not imported from foreign lands."
Personal connection
Gardening is not a competition for Stewart
Stewart also shared her connection to gardening. She revealed she planted a 10-acre woodland with maple trees in memory of her late sister. Walking among the trees brings her comfort and reminds her how her sister loved gardening. She mentioned that gardening is not necessarily competitive and that she finds joy in it. Despite her friends being intense gardeners, Stewart believes there should be no envy in gardening and that everyone should be pleased with each other's efforts.
Clubs
Stewart never received invitations to be in garden clubs
Stewart was also enthusiastic about sharing her plans for spring. She revealed that she has planted about 80 or 85 thousand little bulbs like grape hyacinths and crocus in Bedford, New York. Despite her fame, Stewart confessed she had to work hard to be accepted into garden clubs. "I don't want to embarrass my garden clubs too much, but they never invited me," she revealed, adding how she had to ask to be included in one.