Second Nature
The Story of a Naturalist's Garden
Published on 11. April 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-1-915089-91-5 (ISBN)
Description
Discover the transformative power - for you and for wildlife - of building an outdoor sanctuary for all species to thrive in and enjoy.
In a hidden valley tucked into an unspoiled corner of Northumberland lies a naturalist's garden, developed from scratch by award-winning gardener and author Susie White, her husband and friends. This is the story of how they created a remarkable oasis, a place as alive as it is beautiful.
Susie's vision and passion unfold as she transforms a patch of untended ground into a wildlife-friendly haven, planted with flowering perennials, trees, herbs, vegetables, and a wildflower meadow. The spaces teem with life: owls and blackbirds, bats and mice, butterflies and bees, all drawn by pollen-rich flowers, ponds, and nesting sites. Second Nature takes us through the planning and construction, and describes how she designed the garden to blend harmoniously with her natural environment.
From the plants and wildlife to the structures that provide shelter and habitat, every element reflects Susie's commitment to sustainability. Her account is filled with inspiration and practical advice for gardeners to learn from, and her deep appreciation for the natural world shines through.
In a hidden valley tucked into an unspoiled corner of Northumberland lies a naturalist's garden, developed from scratch by award-winning gardener and author Susie White, her husband and friends. This is the story of how they created a remarkable oasis, a place as alive as it is beautiful.
Susie's vision and passion unfold as she transforms a patch of untended ground into a wildlife-friendly haven, planted with flowering perennials, trees, herbs, vegetables, and a wildflower meadow. The spaces teem with life: owls and blackbirds, bats and mice, butterflies and bees, all drawn by pollen-rich flowers, ponds, and nesting sites. Second Nature takes us through the planning and construction, and describes how she designed the garden to blend harmoniously with her natural environment.
From the plants and wildlife to the structures that provide shelter and habitat, every element reflects Susie's commitment to sustainability. Her account is filled with inspiration and practical advice for gardeners to learn from, and her deep appreciation for the natural world shines through.
Reviews / Votes
'Deepens the reader's appreciation of their own garden.' -- Ursula Buchan in The Spectator, Gardening books of the year 'Honest and heartwarming.' -- This England Magazine 'A lyrical exploration of ...gardens and the natural world.' -- WI Life 'Lyrical, descriptive writing ...a warm, companionable work.' -- The English Garden 'Touches your soul ... a wonderful celebration of gardens and wildlife.' -- Reckless Gardener 'A wonder of a book ... filled with ideas, inspiration and advice ... A special book that has transformative powers.' -- Bramble GardenMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Salford
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 195 mm
Width: 125 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
176 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-915089-91-5 (9781915089915)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Susie White is a gardening and travel writer, broadcaster, wildlife photographer and lecturer. A lifelong and passionate gardener, she developed the garden at Chesters Walled Garden on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland. Since then she has created a garden from scratch in a hidden valley on previously uncultivated land. Beyond the garden, Susie's interests include the environment, conservation, wildlife, upland hay meadows, archaeology, heritage skills and the landscape and walks of the North Pennines, Northumberland, and the Lake District. She is a regular contributor to the Guardian, BBC Countryfile, The English Garden, Homes and Gardens, and is garden columnist for My Weekly magazine. A member of the Garden Media Guild, and RHS speaker, she is the author of Gardens of Northumberland and the Borders.
Content
A garden in the valley; The valley landscape; Starting with the soil; Anchored wildness: the garden’s design; Constructing the layout; Water: the burn and the river; Using stone: inspiration from landscape; Stone: softening stonework with planting; Wood: a ready harvest; Learning from landscape: Creating habitat layers in the garden; Meadow; Wildflowers in borders; The garden’s wildlife: insects; The garden’s wildlife: birds; The garden’s wildlife: mammals; The greenhouse; Looking after the Vegetable Garden; Looking after the Flower Garden; Celebrating place; Future gardeners