Henry Mitchell (1) (1923–1993)

(This review was originally written for The Garden Bloggers' Book club)

Okay, I'm late posting my thoughts on Henry Mitchell's "The Essential Earthman". I'm juggling a few projects right now plus (eek!) I haven't even finished reading it. I'm almost done, so I can safely post a few comments.

I was prepared to not like this book. It's just not my style. Come on, a collection of newspaper columns? We've all read the garden column in our local paper. It's horrible. Poorly written, pushing a lot show more of chemicals and all the newest plants. I'm an heirloom gardener. My interest is history. What were old gardens like? How did gardeners back then do things? What did they grow? Why? What worked for them and what didn't?

My favorite garden books are books about historical gardens and historical gardeners. I don't care for "modern" gardening and I absolutely loathe "how-to" books. They're a lot like those TV shows about home renovation. They make it look so easy, but when I actually try doing it myself, it's a heck of a lot more difficult. Or needs specialized tools. Or involves a lot of expensive materials. So I was prepared to dislike Mr. Mitchell and his book(s). Instead, I fell in love.

I was hooked from the first sentence: "As I write this, on June 29, it's about time for another summer storm to smash the garden to pieces, though it may hold off until the phlox, tomatoes, daylilies, and zinnias are in full sway". A real gardener! With a sense of humor! And perspective! And he grows heirlooms! In fact, in many cases, he prefers the heirlooms to newer varieties. No perfect garden here. Instead, he willingly admits to mistakes and how he corrected them.

Much to my chagrin, this is the perfect "how-to" book. He gives complete instructions on many issues and even admits when the process is difficult. He names and describes both new and old plant varieties. And provides the kind of useful information that you won't find in catalogs or nurseries: how a plant performs (or doesn't perform) in the home garden. All with a wonderful sense of humor.

Like most of the other garden bloggers who have read this book, I have issues with some of his opinions, especially when it comes to invasives, but I think it's reasonable to say that any time you get two or more gardeners together, you will get differences of opinions. It's just that kind of a hobby. There is no "right way" or "wrong way". What works for one gardener may not work for another.

This book is perfect. It can be read and enjoyed by both experienced and novice gardeners. I'm so glad I bought it instead of just borrowing it from the library. I'm looking forward to buying and reading his other books. If you haven't already done so, drop everything and READ THIS BOOK! show less

Collection of newspaper columns. Some are quite witty, tongue-in-cheek (such as one referring to the "slave labor" of young sons until the age when other interests take priority. p.138), others have informative tidbits (e.g. the Harvest Lord would wear a crown of bindweed. p.136). Sadly, some essays are mere lists of named varieties of non-native plants--very boring. He gave an excellent description of the challenges he encountered in setting up a water garden. I stopped reading after his show more snooty condemnation of cottage gardens (p. 158). My main interest is native plants or vegetables, tho I had hoped to use this book to help my mother's struggling flower bed. Since Mitchell is based in Washington DC, many of his suggested plants would not work in our upper midwest garden. show less

My favorite garden writer. I reread his witty essays each winter to revisit the pleasures of the garden while waiting for spring.

Droll wit and infectious passion for garden delights.