By: David L. Culp
Published on: March 31, 2020

I love this time of year where everything starts to come to back to life after what always seems to me to be a winter that went on way too long. As I start getting restless for the weather to turn warmer, I love turning to books that inspire the inner gardener in me to start dreaming and that is exact what A Year at Brandywine Cottage did.

Filled with numerous pictures of the gardens at Brandywine Cottage, I very much enjoyed the time I spent in the book, growing more and more envious with each page of the beauty and tranquility created. The book is broken out into 6 seasons of his garden (The six seasons include early spring, late spring, early fall, and late fall) and then chapters by month. In each chapter are descriptions about what grows and blooms that month and what is done in the garden or what is focused on. Then, at the end of the chapter is a recipe that fits the month. Two of my favorites were February’s chapter that includes a very tantalizing heart-shaped dessert and August’s Summer Squash pizza – both of which I am fairly certain I am going to have to try.

I now have several new plants I want to try and find for my own garden as well as reminded me of a wonder flower I had at a previous house and absolutely loved, but haven’t yet planted at my current house: Snowdrops. This dainty white flower is so beautiful and I always loved looking at it every time it bloomed. Plus, it’s one of the first blooms of spring, which is always a welcome sight. I immediately had to look up where I can purchase it when it is time to order bulbs.

Thanks to Netgalley and Timber Press for the advanced reader copy and opportunity to provide an honest review.

Description:

How to Live Your Best Gardening Life

David Culp has spent more than 30 years creating Brandywine Cottage—a sensational year-round garden that provides an abundance of joy, both indoors and out. In his new book, he urges home gardeners everywhere to do the same in their own space. Organized by the garden’s six natural seasons, A Year at Brandywine Cottage is packed with fresh ideas and trusted advice, whether it’s choosing plants for twelve months of interest, weaving edibles into the mix, or bringing the bounty indoors with simple arrangements and homegrown recipes. Packed with glorious images and practical tips, A Year at Brandywine Cottage will inspire you to live a life enriched by nature every day of the year.