This book is not just another step by step garden design book. It is a fascinating look into the mental and psychological processes of garden design. Fran works to awaken and inspire the gardener to design a personal and unique garden that has meaning to its owner. The book is broken up into seven design stages. Fran says that these techniques can be used to unleash creativity and that gardening empowers us to go on to be successful in other parts of our lives. Each section has exercises to help us design our own gardens that are personally fulfilling to us.

In Stage One: Imagining, Fran talks about the importance of observing other gardens and what we like about them and remembering things we loved. Her exercises help you start the process and make you realize what it is you like about different gardens.

Stage Two: Envisioning, and Stage Three: Planning, discuss how to actually plan a successful garden. Exercises help you map out the garden of your dreams. A part of the section I really enjoyed was the portion on setting a tone in the garden. Fran discusses what elements make up a different types of gardens, such as a romantic garden.

As you continue with Stage Four: Planting, Stage Five: Tending, Stage Six: Enjoying, and Stage Seven: Completing, you will get into the actual planting and care of the garden. You will learn to fine tune your garden design and enjoy your garden despite flaws and portions that did not turn out the way you wanted them. I liked Fran’s refreshing viewpoint. She feels that your garden does not have to be perfect for you to enjoy it. Exercises and sidebar sections throughout these stages will further enable you to work on your garden. Some sidebars I enjoyed were “The Symbolism of Trees” and “Commonsense Tips for Working in the Garden.”

If you are looking for a paint by number plan to quickly create a nice looking garden, this book is not for you. If you are looking for a book full of shiny pictures, you will be disappointed. However, if you are interested in jump-starting your creativity to help you plan and make a unique garden that reflects your personal style, you should have a copy of Digging Deep on your bookshelves. I give this book 4.5 out of 5 Sunflowers.

About the book:
Title: Digging Deep
Author: Fran Sorin
Publisher: Warner Books
ISBN: 0-446-53166-9
Price:$22.95
Pages: 199



Digging Deep : Unearthing Your Creative Roots Through Gardening