Roots of Reflection: books about gardening that will stay with you

A Wilder Way by Poppy Okotcha

Join Poppy Okotcha in her wild little garden in Devon, where, over the course of a year, she shares the inspiring, the mundane and the magical moments that arise from tending a garden through the seasons, and what they can teach us about living more sustainably. She shows us how the small joys of engaging with the natural world are imperative for our physical and emotional wellbeing. Woven throughout are folktales from her English and Nigerian heritage - stories with nature at their heart that have inspired her, and will inspire us to live a little more wildly.

The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield

Set in the early twentieth century, the garden setting in this classic novel is used as the backdrop for a delicate exploration of class, innocence, and the fleeting nature of life. The lush, idyllic garden at the heart of the story contrasts sharply with the tragic death of a working-class man, challenging Laura Sheridan’s view of her world. The garden, as a symbol of privilege, provides the perfect setting for themes of social division and self-awareness.

Rough Patch by Kathy Slack

Kathy draws us into the world of the kitchen garden to reflect on the lessons she learnt from the soil, along with sharing recipes inspired by the land. Weaving together her own story of recovery with the year she spent growing and cooking her harvests, Kathy realises that the two are tightly bound together and that reconnecting with the earth could restore her hope and renew her life. Along the way there are tales of marauding pigs, transformative insights from planting leeks, recipes for an unchecked courgette glut and the discovery of why a radish seed is worth staying alive for. The result is a candid, hopeful and sometimes funny story about the healing powers of nature; a quiet manifesto for a more connected life. 

Uprooting by Michelle Farrell

What is home? It’s a question that has troubled Marchelle Farrell for her entire life. Drawn to her new garden, Marchelle begins to examine the complex and emotional question of home in the context of colonialism. As her relationship with the garden deepens, she discovers that her two conflicting identities are far more intertwined than she had realised. Full of hope and healing, Uprooting is a book about finding home where we least expect it, and which invites us to reconnect to the land – and ourselves.

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim 

When four women escape their dreary lives in 1920s England to spend a month in an Italian villa, they find solace in the villa’s vibrant garden. This novel is a charming exploration of self-discovery and liberation, as the garden becomes a sanctuary where the women can shed societal expectations and find renewal. It’s a warm, uplifting read that highlights how nature offers spaces for reflection and transformation.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Few gardens have captured the imagination quite like the one in this beloved children’s novel. When Mary Lennox discovers a hidden, neglected garden, she begins a journey of personal transformation, just as the garden itself blooms back to life. With themes of healing and nature, this timeless tale encourages readers to consider how spaces of beauty and care can inspire.

These books won’t leave you thinking only of gardens. They reveal how gardens can offer clarity, connection, and even transformation. In the quiet presence of growing things, we may just find the space to grow ourselves.

See our further book recommendations on our online catalogue here, and Borrow Box for a list of related eBooks and eAudio books. 

Book stock correct as of April 2025.

Meet the Author

We're excited to say that we will be hosting Kathy Slack in person to talk about her book, Rough Patch featured in this article. Find out more here.