A Year at North Hill

A Year at North Hill chronicles twelve months at a Vermont garden through the observations of its creators, Joe Eck and Wayne Winterrowd. The two gardeners document their experiences cultivating and maintaining their 5-acre property across the seasons. Each chapter focuses on one month, capturing the specific tasks, challenges, and rewards that arise during that period in the garden. The authors detail their work with plants, soil preparation, pest management, and the constant adjustments required by New England's climate. The narrative includes practical horticultural knowledge while describing the authors' personal relationship with their land. Plant varieties, garden design principles, and technical advice are woven into accounts of daily garden life. The book serves as both a gardening reference and a meditation on humans' connection to cultivated spaces. Through their year-long account, Eck and Winterrowd demonstrate how a garden exists as both a physical space and a reflection of its caretakers.

Readers appreciate this month-by-month garden memoir for its detailed horticultural information and engaging storytelling about the authors' Vermont garden. Many note the book serves as both a practical reference and literary work. Likes: - In-depth plant knowledge and growing tips - Elegant, descriptive writing style - Mix of personal stories with gardening instruction - Focus on Zone 4/5 cold climate gardening - Hand-drawn illustrations Dislikes: - Some found the writing overly flowery - Plant names can be overwhelming for beginners - Limited photos/visual references - Northeast US-specific information may not apply elsewhere Ratings: Goodreads: 4.03/5 (45 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (15 reviews) "Like having two knowledgeable gardener friends sharing their experiences," wrote one Amazon reviewer. Another noted: "Technical enough for experienced gardeners but accessible for novices."

The Garden in Winter by Rosemary Verey This book explores year-round garden design with emphasis on winter interest through structure, bark, berries, and evergreens.

The Authentically Small Garden by Patrick Lima A month-by-month chronicle of maintaining a personal garden in Ontario combines practical growing advice with observations of nature and seasonal changes.

Two Gardeners: A Friendship in Letters by Katharine White and Elizabeth Lawrence The collected correspondence between two passionate gardeners reveals their horticultural knowledge, experiments, and relationship with their gardens over decades.

The Education of a Gardener by Russell Page This memoir traces the development of an influential garden designer through his work on estates across Europe and America while sharing technical insights about garden creation.

Green Thoughts: A Writer in the Garden by Eleanor Perenyi A collection of essays combines practical gardening information with personal experiences and historical garden lore through the seasons.

🌿 Joe Eck and Wayne Winterrowd were life partners who created the renowned North Hill Garden in Vermont, spanning 5 acres of intricate horticultural design. 🌺 The book follows a month-by-month chronicle, capturing both the practical aspects of gardening and poetic observations about nature's cycles. 🏡 North Hill Garden became famous for successfully growing Mediterranean and other tender plants in Vermont's harsh climate through innovative protection methods. 📚 The authors wrote several other acclaimed gardening books together, including "Living Seasonally: The Kitchen Garden and the Table at North Hill" and "Our Life in Gardens." 🌱 Their garden served as both a private paradise and a teaching space, where they held workshops for decades until Wayne Winterrowd's death in 2010.