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The holiday season is the perfect time to share the joy of gardening! We’ve gathered some of our favorite gardening books that would make wonderful gifts for the green thumbs (and aspiring ones!) on your list. Whether they’re dreaming of a no-dig garden, growing herbs indoors, or attracting pollinators to their backyard, these books offer inspiration and practical know-how for every type of gardener.
Each of these titles has been featured on our website. When you click on the book titles below, you’ll be able to check out our interview with the author or read the full review and learn more.
Table of Contents
The Good Garden
The Good Garden is a beautiful guide to creating a thriving, sustainable garden that works with nature instead of against it. Author Chris McLaughlin shares how to build healthy soil, attract pollinators, welcome wildlife, and grow abundant food without relying on chemicals. Filled with warmth and practical advice, this book inspires gardeners to see their backyards as living ecosystems that nourish both people and the planet.
Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden
Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden is perfect for gardeners who want to manage pests naturally by welcoming the “good bugs.” Jessica Walliser shares fascinating insights into how insects and plants work together, helping you create a thriving, balanced garden that needs fewer sprays and more pollinators.
Home Hydroponics
Home Hydroponics is an inspiring guide for anyone who wants to grow fresh food indoors—no soil required! Author and urban farmer Tyler Baras explains how to set up simple, space-saving hydroponic systems in your kitchen, living room, or even bathroom, making it easy to enjoy herbs and greens year-round while conserving water and avoiding chemicals.
The Healthy Vegetable Garden
The Healthy Vegetable Garden is perfect for gardeners who believe that healthy soil means healthy plants—and healthy people. Sally Morgan blends timeless organic wisdom with modern science to show how biodiversity, composting, and natural pest control create a resilient, thriving garden. From soil microbes to milk sprays, she offers practical, eco-friendly solutions for anyone who wants to grow food sustainably and in harmony with nature.
Grow Your Own Spices
Grow Your Own Spices is a delightful guide for anyone who wants to bring a taste of the tropics home. Author Tasha Greer makes it easy to grow favorites like ginger, turmeric, and even vanilla—whether in your garden, greenhouse, or on a sunny windowsill. Packed with practical tips and encouragement, this book shows that growing your own spices is simpler (and more rewarding) than you might think.
The Modern Homestead Garden
The Modern Homestead Garden offers straightforward, hands-on guidance for growing your own food wherever you live. Author and gardening expert Gary Pilarchik (The Rusted Garden Homestead) makes organic gardening approachable with tips on soil preparation, plant selection, pest prevention, and even designing edible landscapes that are both beautiful and productive.
The Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook
This incredibly useful guide helps gardeners identify and solve pest problems before they get out of control—without reaching for synthetic chemicals. Susan Mulvihill breaks down integrated pest management in a friendly, approachable way, showing readers how to recognize pests, support beneficial insects, and use simple organic strategies that actually work. With clear photos, quick-reference charts, and practical DIY solutions, it’s easy to figure out what’s eating your plants and what to do about it.
Whether you’re dealing with flea beetles, squash bugs, leaf miners, or mystery critters, this book gives you confidence to grow healthier vegetables while protecting pollinators and the garden ecosystem.
The Complete Guide to No-Dig Gardening
The Complete Guide to No-Dig Gardening offers an easier, earth-friendly way to garden—no tiller or heavy digging required. Author and horticulturist Charlie Nardozzi explains how to build fertile soil naturally by layering organic materials, letting nature do the work for you. With tips on composting, soil health, pest control, and even container gardening, this book helps you grow abundant vegetables and flowers while saving time, protecting soil life, and reducing your carbon footprint.
Epic Tomatoes
When it’s cold outside, reading this book will help you think ahead to summertime and warmer weather. It would be perfect to have on hand while flipping through seed catalogs and comparing different varieties to try in your garden next summer.
The Holistic Orchard
For anyone thinking of starting their own orchard or looking for ways to improve their growing techniques, the simple and cost effective methods covered in this book would be very helpful.
Mycelial Mayhem
Many homesteaders, gardeners, and foodies would be delighted to receive this book. It’s an excellent guide for growing interesting and delicious types of mushrooms beyond the white button and portobellos typically found in grocery stores.
Gift Ideas That Bloom Beyond the Holidays
No matter who you’re shopping for — the seasoned gardener who can’t wait for spring or the friend who’s just learning to grow their first tomato — these books make thoughtful, meaningful gifts. Each one offers fresh inspiration to get your hands in the soil (or maybe just dream about it during the winter months!).
And if you’re looking for even more down-to-earth reads, take a peek at our Homesteading Books list for more ideas to spark creativity, sustainability, and simple living all year long.
A class for YOU if you are absolutely sure that you can’t grow anything!
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