Bloomin' good reads: the best gardening books of 2024

Gardening book of the year

Hortobiography by Carol Klein (Witness Books, RRP £22)

At 79, Carol Klein is the UK’s most popular female gardener today, and in this book she recounts the stories and characters that shaped her life.

From a jailed father to lost friends, overdosing on codeine and her recent invasive breast cancer treatment, Carol doesn’t flinch from tough times, retaining her trademark positivity. Interwoven as digressions are the favourite plants and landscapes that moulded her and ensured gardening became her life-force.

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Best for… pocket gardeners

A Year Full of Pots by Sarah Raven (Bloomsbury, RRP £27)

Whatever the size of your plot, it’s incomplete without pots. They ring the seasonal changes while adding energy and year-round drama, explains Sarah Raven.

Her Kent garden is famous for its containers, and she reveals their secrets, including failsafe planting methods and monthly guides to the best potted stars and companions.

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Best for… green fingers

The Raised Bed Book by David Hurrion (DK, RRP £20)

Growing plants in raised beds offers so many benefits – from improved soil to quick results and easier maintenance. It may seem simple but there’s a knack to getting it right.

Thankfully, The Raised Bed Book has it covered, from design ideas and build projects to plant inspiration, soil tips and growing methods. You’ll even find roof- and wall-growing options, too.

The many practical projects get you started, while the planting plans and creative ideas will keep you returning to this valuable guide.

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Best for… foodies

100 Herbs to Grow by Jekka McVicar (Quadrille, RRP £30)

Nurserywoman Jekka McVicar marks 40 years as champion of all things herbal with the definitive word on what and how to grow today. From propagation to design, medicinal uses to flavour combinations, her hands-on experience leaps off every page in bite-sized nuggets, giving you what you need in an approachable style.

Unsure which basil to choose, the best times to harvest mint, or how to improve flavour or soil conditions? These and hundreds more answers and ideas lie within and will boost confidence, whether you’re a grower or a cook – or both.

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Best for… armchair travellers

A Garden a Day by Ruth Chivers (Batsford, RRP £20)

Gardens are as much about the people within them as the spaces they inhabit, says author and designer Ruth Chivers in her ambitious story of gardens through time.

With 366 gardens packed into its pages – both real, whether global destinations or hidden gems, and fictional (from artistic and literary inspiration) – it builds into a rich tale of power, money and imagination, exploring why we garden and what our plots are for.

A lifetime of visits lies within!

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Best for… nature nurturers

One Garden Against the World by Kate Bradbury (Bloomsbury, RRP £18.99)

How do any of us make a difference in a world where climate change can leave us feeling powerless and anxious? Garden writer Kate Bradbury faces into the challenges with a positive message of hope through her story of creating a thriving wildlife haven in her tiny, city backyard.

While admitting fears of failure, she does it anyway – welcoming all life to the space (even a baby gull), while testing the plants and methods that build resilience and survival.

Deeply personal yet wide-reaching, it’s a compelling argument for just taking the first step.

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Best for… style mavens

Your Outdoor Room by Manoj Malde (Frances Lincoln, £20)

Manoj Malde burst on to the scene at Chelsea Flower Show in 2017 with a sun-drenched space that paired vibrant impact with great architectural bones – and he’s now a leading designer of urban gardens, combining style with heart.

He’s enthusiastic and inspiring in person and this sings from the pages of this detailed yet accessible design guide for everyone who yearns for a creative garden. He opens our eyes and holds our hand through the design journey, from first principles to final touches.

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