Since this is my blog, I’m going to take this opportunity for a shameless shout-out about my new book. I spent most of 2011 writing it. I had no idea how much work was involved in writing a garden book. I only knew I wanted to write something different — a garden book that would be fun to read. It seemed to me that there were plenty of good, solid gardening books that were just too dry or technical for the average gardener, even an enthusiastic gardener, to plod through. I love gardening and felt learning about it should be fun. I’ve also been dedicated to Eco-friendly gardening for many decades even before it became fashionable. Being an artist ((painter, illustrator and cartoonist) and a bit of a non-traditional person, I wanted to write a book that would pull all these pieces together and offer an entertaining read.

The process of writing the book was an educational experience in itself. I learned all about the technicalities of writing and setting up a book for print. I had to become exacting about my language and punctuation. Then there was the crash course in photography since my average point-and-shoot photos just weren’t good enough. And I discovered that sometimes even working ten hours a day, seven days a week still wasn’t enough to make tough publisher deadlines without panic.

I now know how many other people are part of producing a printed book and how grateful I am for the huge support I found in my publishing team, friends who would read and proofread, and people who could help me find the illusive photos I wasn’t able to create myself. Now, finally, after multiple editing sessions, proofing and last minute changes, the book has been shipped off to the printer.

I still don’t know the exact release date, but I’ve been told it will be in April (2012). Of course, I hope to sell lots of copies since the recession has hit me hard like many other folks in the landscape design business (and other businesses, too). But most of all, I really hope people will enjoy reading the book. I want to walk gardeners through building the most rewarding gardens possible for their unique spaces. Each piece of property is like a blank stage, filled with potential.

Creating a good landscape is  much like putting together a theater production. Casting the right characters, building the most exciting yet functional sets and rolling out systems that keep the garden performing season after season with rave reviews is an entertaining and handy way to learn to view the garden as a single, living show. Writing this book has been not only an interesting learning process, but it’s been motivated by the desire to share my lifetime of learning about gardening and landscape design. In a world powered by profit-making, sometimes I think we forget about the pay-off of feeling productive and communicating our passions. In this case, “All the Garden’s a Stage” has been written as much — probably more — for the desire to share than for the hope of financial gain. I guess I’ve reached an age when I look back over my life and want it to count for something.

I will post when I know the exact release date. It should be carried at most bookstores and online. I’ll also be carrying the book here on my own website. I hope you’ll consider taking a look at it.