Gardening with Taste
There are lots of sucky garden websites (and books, and magazines) out there. Some of them seem directed at target audiences of grandmothers (I call this the “Precious Moments” School of Gardening) or hippies. Most are just plain dull.
What about the 20-something guy/gal looking for something that won’t embarass their urbane good taste? To that end, I started compiling a list of garden resources that don’t suck.
Please help me build the list. Talk to me.
The New Agrarian
Professional author and historian David Walbert has put together a cool Web site about his backyard growing experiences. More importantly, he’s able to articulate his philosophy of “New Agrarianism”, which applies lessons from America’s rural history to the challenges of modern life. His ideas provide a sensible framework for responsible living, without getting carried away into hippie idealism or conservative retreat. I like this dude.
The Renegade Gardener
Don Engbretson’s irreverent ideas about gardening are very refreshing and funny. He has a section called “Don’t DO That”, which is hilarious, but useful at the same time. There are some funny pictures of really bad gardens (he drives around Minneapolis and takes pictures out the window), and tips to improve them. He also published a quirky gardening manifesto, and updates the site regularly. Props to Don for being a smart, cool guy who grows stuff.
University of Nebraska horticulture publications
University extentions are great sources of no-nonsense information, and Nebraska’s is one of the best. Their publications take a scientific approach, and cover a wide range of topics—from “Irrigating Onions” to “Landscape Sustainability”.
You Grow Girl!
If gardening really is the new rock‘n’roll, then Yougrowgirl.com is “indie rock”. With humour, art and interactivity, You Grow Girl sets itself apart from the traditional bumper crop of impersonal commercial gardening websites. The project’s main goals are to promote exploration, excitement and a d.i.y. approach to growing plants without the restrictions of traditional ideas about gardening. (Not just for girls, despite the title.)
