Liza Ketchum

A nice, quiet, reflective little book. I thought momentarily from the title that the focus would be the garden the author planted in what she felt were her final years- but really, it glances back to many different gardens she had throughout her life. From ones she barely participated in as a child, to those of family members and neighbors she visited, but mostly the gardens she planted and tended in various homes she lived in through her adult years. Each chapter has a loose focus on a show more certain plant or flower, telling what it meant to her, what family member or friend it reminds her of, how cuttings or shoots of it were handed down through the family or among gardening friends. I expected to glean little bits of gardening advice and lore, but what more I picked up on was the closeness of family among many moves and restarts, new beginnings all over again. The comfort that came in growing things from the soil, that familiar work with hands in the dirt. Simply joys in seeing birds and butterflies visit her plants, reassurance in knowing she’d done some good to support the natural world, when all else around might seem to be falling apart with misuse, pollution and global warming. I felt a bit distracted throughout, not always following closely who the various people she spoke of were, and missing more depth and detail about the actual gardens (I could well have read this book were it twice as long)- but for what it was, very nice. The finely drawn, black-and-white illustrations by Bobbi Angell are lovely. show less

What a treat it was to read this terrific book by Liza Ketchum! I've always loved gardening and the author is an avid gardener who reveals much of her life story by referring to different plants and flowers and her adventures planting them. You learn so much about nature and the individual characteristics of shrubs, trees and flowers by reading this really well written book.

The author and her family lived in many places in the United States. The thread that ties all her experiences together show more throughout her life is her passion for creating gardens. Each chapter is named for a different flower or plant that was significant at that time of her life. My favorites are the last few chapters of the book where the author reflects on aging as well as on her friendships throughout her life and the impact of her love of gardening.

Do yourself a big favor and get this wonderful book. I assure you after reading it your interest in gardening will blossom! show less

The Last Garden, by Liza Ketchum is a memoir told through the author’s recollections of gardens and plants that have special meaning for her. Each chapter is titled with the name of a specific plant and is beautifully illustrated with botanical drawings. An engaging storyteller, Ketchum describes her love of gardening as being threaded through five generations. She tells stories of her grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren. Cuttings are taken and plants are frequently dug up show more and transplanted during her moves to new homes throughout her life. Her story begins and ends in Vermont. The Last Garden is a celebration of the cycle of seasons, gardens, and of the author’s life itself. show less

Gardening is an emotional and deeply personal part of Liza Ketchum’s memories. Her book The Last Garden is a moving and poignant recollection of the people and places she has known throughout her life and how she is connected to them by the gardens, fields, streams and woods encompassing them. A plant is not just a plant, it is a link to a specific time in her life: the beets she grew at camp as a teenager, the pots of geraniums she carried with her through many of life’s changes, and show more Alice’s roses planted at the front door of her home in Vermont. What a lovely way to document a life. This book is surprisingly charming and one I’m happy to recommend. show less