Canadian Garden Tips

Beryl Hamilton is a freelance writer in Thunder Bay who specializes in
home gardening.

Marjorie Harris is an extremely accomplished and well-known figure in
the Canadian gardening world. She has written many books, and is
prominent as a columnist, editor, and speaker on gardening issues. In
this compact (3 x 5 inches) pocket guide, she offers a range of advice
and instructions, culled from a lifetime of experiences, that even
veteran gardeners might find useful. Her emphasis is on “responsible
gardening”—that is, gardening done with respect for ecology and
natural laws. Harris suggests that gardening responsibly is ethical and
in fact easier than one might think. Her golden rule is to find and
maintain good soil.

The tips are organized alphabetically. Particularly good are those
about pest management, the functioning of microclimates, and the use of
natural pesticides. Harris’s prose has accurately been described as
having a “charming, over-the-fence” style. The neighbourliness of
her approach is indeed very appealing.

This accessible, informative, and enjoyable compendium and gardening
“how-to” is a valuable resource for all gardeners.