Winter begins to release us...and Amazing Reviews of my book

Pulmonaria is one of my favourite perennials for any number of reasons. The foliage is fantastic, the pink, blue, white or reddish flowers are cheery and beloved by bees. But most importantly to this colour starved gardener is the determination of pulmonaria. It is barely out of the ground before it is beginning to bloom, usually in mid April once the snow has gone and the soil has warmed up a little. Only hellebores and hepatica are ahead of it in my perennial plantings. However...

We are still more than a little ways from pulmonaria. Or snowdrops, or chionodoxa, or hellebores, or anything else. However, the snows have receded dramatically in the past couple of days, courtesy of some warm, wonderful weather that has brought spring into our step if not our actual calendars.




Spring always finds us. We hold onto that while we grit our teeth through the ides of FARCH.

I'd like to update people on my book's reception. There have been many splendid reviews and interviews done in the past few weeks, by people across the continent, all of whom have been been encouraged by the book's contents and cheerleading. I'm so delighted, because that's why I wrote it--to encourage other gardeners, of all experience levels. And I so appreciate the thoughtful way that each reviewer has approached the challenge of writing about Plants for Atlantic Gardens. So I'd like to share bits from the reviews, and link back to the writers whenever possible.

Those Battersby Girls at Toronto Gardens report, "don't be mislead by the title of Plants for Atlantic Gardens, Jodi DeLong's new book from Nimbus Publishing. Atlantic gardeners aren't the only ones who will find this book useful."

On the west coast of the US, Grace Peterson concurs: "Truth is, Jodi’s book is relevant to gardens on both ends of the continent and all gardens in Zone 3 and above which is just about all of us."

The brilliant writer and all-thumbs gardener Steven Mayoff reports, "Most of all, Thelma felt the book gave her a palpable sense of optimism that her own garden will one day be everything she hopes it could be."

I love the way novelist and all around sparkly-fabulous writer Christy Ann Conlin approached her article, which was to examine why the book would speak to her as a novelist. 

Joan Levack, the smart, sassy and honest voice behind Box761, freely admits that she loves gardens but hates to garden. However, she is happy with this book as a way to helping her make a beautiful garden that will thrive.

Everyone's favourite writer and photographer from Hants County, Nancy of Leaping Greenly, considers Plants for Atlantic Gardens a must have reference. 

There are more, but I think that's quite enough for one post, but I'll do another one in a couple of days. I hugely appreciate the support and feedback I have received from people from all over--gardeners, horticulturists, writers, reviewers...I'm truly honoured and humbled by your support. I hope everyone who buys it is as thrilled as these reviewers are. 

Want to find out for yourself what it's like? Thursday, I'll be in Halifax to talk to someone at Haligonia.ca; to chat with Starr Dobson on Live At Five; and to give a talk at the Woodlawn Library at 7 pm in Dartmouth. Friday morning, they're making me get up early to be on Breakfast Television, then I'm switching to my favourite medium, radio for a chat with Norma Lee Macleod on Maritime Noon, before going to a signing at Chapters in Bayers Lake. Then back home to hubby, horse, and kitties. But I'll be back in the city for two talks at garden clubs next week. I hope you don't all get tired of me--and if you come to the signings and talks, please do come and say hello. They're a bit chaotic, but I do love talking with other gardeners.