After designing for 19 years, blogging for five years and working on content for the past two years, I am pleased to announce the official launching of my very first book! With the exception of a few close friends, there was no mention of me working on this book, as I was questioning myself as to whether or not it would ever materialize. I decided to try a self-publishing program and the adventure began. Now, after edit upon edit, and being my own worst critic, I have finally turned my many thoughts about gardening into a published work.
The journey started as a child. My mother's favorite flowers were daisies so I would often pick them for her, which always put a smile on her face, a warm smile that I will always remember. At the age of five, I started requesting flower pots and seeds that I could nurture and watch bloom. My mother taught me to have an appreciation for nature in her own way, possibly without even knowing the impact she had on me. My father also saw my interest in living things and helped me to plant my very first tree in our backyard, which deepened my love for anything green. As an adult I embarked on a career in education, but my love of gardening continued to flourish. I went back to school for horticulture and with the encouragement of family and friends, became a landscape designer and started up my own business. I retired from a fulfilling 32 year teaching career in 2013 and now run my business full time. While working just one career I also found some time to write over the past two years. The rest of the journey continues here...
A Guide to Northeastern Gardening~Journeys of a Garden Designer
Gardening in Zones 3-9
A Guide to Northeastern Gardening is a comprehensive guide of valuable information on plants hardy in a range of zones from 3-9, and gardening techniques backed up by my own personal experiences as a professional landscape designer, along with answers to frequently asked questions. Learn about landscape design principles, butterfly gardening, deer resistant plants, long blooming perennials, globe and weeping evergreens, flowering trees and shrubs, native plantings, shade gardening and more. Whether you are a novice or experienced gardener, A Guide to Northeastern Gardening will help you to create your own dream garden. Come along on my journey into the world of gardening!
Preview Info: To Preview Click on the Link to the Left
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Thank you to my readers for giving me the motivation to pursue this endeavor and thank you to my husband, friends and family who encouraged me along the way. Plans are underway for a future softcover version of this publication.
As Always...Happy
Gardening!
Author: Lee@A Guide
To Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright
2015. All rights reserved.
How exciting! Congratulations on the publication of your book. May it be the first of many.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Dorothy. It was something I really wanted to accomplish so I am pleased to finally have it published! The whole motivation behind the book was that I wanted to share my knowledge and passion of gardening with others.
DeleteCongratulations on your book. In this case I think one can judge a book by its cover and this one is delightful. Did you try other software than Blurb? I used Blurb for a family recipes project I shared just with a few people. Sometimes the software was frustrating but in the end I was happy with the book.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much...you just made my day! There were so many decisions with the book and the cover of course was one of them! I did research numerous self publishing websites trying to find the most cost effective one and Blurb actually had the best production cost when compared to others. I really wish I could make the printed book available for a lower price; however, Blurb charges me the price you see listed minus three dollars to print it. When several friends asked me if the book was available on amazon kindle I ended up hiring someone to convert the book into the correct format. Long story short, I was able to get the e-books available for i-pad, mac and kindle. I am still researching but at least mission accomplished...sort of!!!
DeleteThanks so much! I am very excited to have it finally published!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! You have put a lot of hard work into your book, not mentioning the years of experience it took to get to the point of writing a book. I wish you much success!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Deb. It is very exciting that it is all finally down in words!
DeleteCongratulations! Thank you so much for leaving a comment on my post, it is always good to hear from someone new. I know I am going to enjoy exploring your blog!
ReplyDeleteThank you Pauline! I am enjoying your posts!
DeleteCongrats, Lee, I wish your book much fortune.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Donna. It really was a labor of love!
Deletehow wonderful to be published, good for you!!!! your love for gardening and flowers is so evident here, and in the book i'm sure!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Debbie! Gardening really is a passion of mine and has been since I was about five years old. I am hoping to pass on a portion of my love of gardening to readers.
DeleteI am so excited about your book! I retired after teaching school for 31 years and then started dabbling in gardening. Now it's a new-found passion!
ReplyDeleteGardening can certainly be a passion Jane, no matter when you start pursuing it. Congratulations on your retirement and may you experience many enjoyable moments in your garden!
DeleteI think, I should read your book! It looks so interesting, I love to learn more plants from another part of earth.
ReplyDeleteI would be honored and thank you for your kind words. I included plants that will grow well in hardiness zones 3-9 but a few of them can extend into zones 10 or 11. I saw that you can grow chrysanthemums where you are so some of these may work for you.
DeleteLee this is wonderful news...many congrats, and I can't wait to read your book.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Donna! I appreciate your support.
DeleteCongratulations, Lee! So happy for you! I think so often we are our own worse critics, but with your expertise so have so much to offer your readers in addition to taking wonderful photographs.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your publication!
You made my day Susan! Thanks so much for your kind words.
DeleteCongratulations, Lee. This is a wonderful achievement -- I know because I am try to do the same and sometimes I think it will never happen. You are an inspiration. Love the cover. I look forward to reading it. P. x
ReplyDeleteIt will happen Pam. It just takes perseverance and patience. I went through many moments when I thought it would never happen...but then it did. Thank you for your kind words and I hope you enjoy the book!
DeleteCongratulations on your first book! I am sure it was a ton of work. You must be so proud. I hope it sells really well Lee!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennifer! It was something I really wanted to accomplish. I hope readers find the information to be useful...and yes..it was a lot of work!
DeleteWow, your first book, Lee. Congrats!!
ReplyDeleteI think it will be useful book especially for those who live in 3-5 zone, as mine is zone 5 and it's a problem to have hardy plants that we can find in your book.
Thank you Nadezda. I know your temperatures are much colder than ours. If you are in hardiness zone 5 the information would be useful to you. Most of the plants are hardy down to zones 3 and 4, which is about -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 degrees Celsius) but not for a prolonged period of time. It is always good to give a buffer of a couple of zones in case of really extreme temperatures. Happy gardening!
DeleteGreat news about your book.. congratulations Lee :o)
ReplyDeleteThank you Julie! It is very exciting.
DeleteWow!! To have a book published is quite an accomplishment! Congratulations! I hope it does very well for you and it should considering there are a lot of gardeners in the Northeast and in zone 5. Take care ~ Stacy
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your encouraging words Stacy! I hope that gardeners in zones 3-9 find the book useful in planning and maintaining their space. I tried to include as much information as possible on each plant (including their hardiness) along with gardening and maintenance tips as well. It was a lot of work so I am glad to finally have it published! Have a good weekend!
DeleteBest of Luck with your new book!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteA gardener can never have enough books on the subject! Thanks for adding to the list! Good luck with your book, I hope you sell many copies!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Carol. I would have to agree as the owner of an extensive library of gardening books. I tried to make it a mix of various topics so there's a little something for everyone. Have a great week and Happy April!
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