Refresh Your Garden Design - Virtual Book Party

I’m excited to announce friend, co-author and designer extraordinaire Rebecca Sweet has written a new book:  Refresh Your Garden Design with Color, Texture and Form. To celebrate, I’m joining a group of six talented bloggers for a virtual book party – and you’re invited!



Even experienced gardeners reach a point where they know the garden needs an overhaul, but just can’t figure out where to start. Inspired by her years of garden design consulting, Rebecca’s book is filled with easy-to-implement, beautifully illustrated solutions, and the timing couldn’t be better. Autumn is when many of us simplify our gardening routine and start planning for next spring. With Refresh Your Garden Design, you’ll have the tools you need to hit the ground running when the weather turns.

Or maybe not all the tools. All good parties have favors, and every blog on the tour is giving away a different prize geared towards helping you wake up your own garden. I feel lucky because I’m giving away the best prize. (Hmm, maybe because I took advantage of our friendship and asked Rebecca to customize my offering?) In addition to a year’s subscription to Horticulture and an ebook edition of Rebecca’s popular ‘Harmony in the Garden’ column, one lucky winner will receive a free, virtual consultation with Rebecca!

How does it work? Simply take a few photos from different angles of a garden bed or two in need of a refresh. Rebecca will analyze them using the principles of color, form and texture featured in both her book and the popular talks she gives around the country. Then, she’ll provide you with a customized set of suggestions.  How cool is that?

An example of a "virtual garden makeover" from one of Rebecca's presentations:


Good

Better (Tip from the book: eliminate the distraction of color when you want to analyze form and texture)

But don’t limit yourself to just one chance to win! A total of seven blogs are giving away the prizes listed below. Simply click on the links and leave a comment on each blog to enter.

The giveaway runs through Sunday, November 10th at 11:59 pm and the winners will be announced on Monday the 11th. Please note that because of shipping costs, this giveaway is restricted to residents of the continental U.S.

Check back next Monday to see if you're a winner. Good luck!

Dee Nash at Red Dirt Ramblings is offering a hand-selected bulb bonanza in conjunction with Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply.  Known online as GrowOrganic.com, Peaceful Valley was established by organic farmers in 1976 and has grown to be the largest organic gardening supply company in the U.S! This organic bulb collection is an ideal way to introduce seasonal color echoes into your garden. (valued at $50.00)

 

Pam Penick at Digging is giving away a $50 gift certificate to the irresistible online nursery Annie’s Annuals. Annie’s specializes in rare and unusual annual & perennial plants, including cottage garden heirlooms and native wildflowers. They have a huge selection of amazing treasures that are guaranteed to help introduce color, texture and form back into your garden!

 

Robin Horton at Urban Gardens is offering a fantastic garden-watering duo from the kind folks at Dramm:  the One Touch Rain Wand and Color Storm Turret Sprinkler (valued at $50). Dramm is a family-run business that makes some of the best, and certainly most colorful, garden watering tools around, helping to make your garden chores easy and fun!

 

Shawna Coronado is giving away a $75 online gift card from Proven Winners, a mail-order nursery that’s a plant lover’s dream. With the company’s goal of introducing ‘the best, most unique and high performing plants’ to the public, this prize is an ideal way to add a breath of fresh air to your garden!

 

Carol Michel at May Dreams Gardens is giving away a much-desired Fiskars tool set: a Telescoping Bypass Loper and a Long-Handled Aluminum Hoe (valued at $65).  Fiskars products are renowned worldwide for their functionality and cutting-edge design so what better way to take care of your garden, keeping it in tip-top shape!

At Gossip in the Garden, Rebecca is offering something for tech-savvy and traditional gardeners alike: a Garden App Package consisting of Sunset’s Western Garden app, Foolproof Plants for Small Gardens app and the Garden Tracker-Bumper Crop app - as well as a signed copy of her new book (valued at $40.00)

 

Quick links:

Red Dirt Ramblings is offering the bulb bonanza from Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply

Digging is offering a $50 gift certificate from Annie’s Annuals

Urban Gardens is offering garden-watering duo Dramm

May Dreams Gardens is offering a garden tool combo from Fiskars

Shawna Coronado is giving away a $75 gift card from Proven Winners

Blue Planet Garden Blog is giving away a garden consultation by Rebecca and a Horticulture combo pack

Gossip in the Garden is giving away the Garden App & Book Package

 

UPDATE: Congratulations to Kris Peterson, our contest winner!

 

 

Comments

[Carol Yemola]

This sounds like such a great opportunity for one lucky person! Would love to get a few ideas for several areas of my garden.

[Kris Peterson]

I bought the book, although I have yet to try the black and white photo idea. I think the virtual book party is a great idea and I plan to mention it to my gardening friends.

[Salma]

That's really interesting how draining color can be so illuminating re: form. I have to try this in my own space. Hoping to get lucky in the giveaway!

[Melissa H]

I just bought the book. It is beautiful and looks like it is full of great information.

[Rose]

Susan, I found your blog through the other sites hosting this party, so of course I'd love to win this book! I could certainly use some inspiration for revamping my garden--personal suggestions from Rebecca would be even more awesome! I'm adding this book to my wish list for winter reading, for sure.

[Holly Chaille]

The party idea has introduced me to many new blogs! Thanks very much!

[c crow]

I really learn a lot from Rebecca's blog, so I am looking forward to reading this book!

[Jennifer B]

Oh, this is the book I need!

[Pam]

By you joining the others with this "garden party" I feel like I already won by finding out about you. Winning the book would just be an added bonus.

[Melissa]

Hi, I am not sure if commenting here enters me for the prize, or if I have to also submit pictures at this time, could you please clarify? This is a great prize that I would love to win! I am in transition in my garden; for the past couple of years, I’ve been removing hold-over invasives from a previous owner (I’ve had the house 12 years so it’s about time!) In the short term, I’ve covered the overrun bed with cardboard, newspaper, and mulch, and placed my veggie-growing Earthboxes in the area. I have an urban yard, so I don’t have a ton of space (and even less full sun!)so I’ll be looking for good ideas to replant these areas once I’ve finally filled the CREEPING BUTTERCUP (UGH!) for good. Cross your fingers for me!

Hi Melissa,
To clarify, you do not have to send any pictures. The winner will be chosen randomly, and at that point will send photos to Rebecca. Good luck!

[Pamela Graham]

Oh my ..... keeping my gardens crossed with fingers and dirt!! I need this book! Thanks for the opportunity! Pamie G.

[email protected]

[Melody]

Awesome prize - now to decide which area I want help with the most - lol. Rebecca Sweet's book is just what I need, since the garden isn't looking like I want it to.

[Catherine]

A virtual makeover?? I'm starting from scratch and have a blank canvas to make come alive. Its not completely blank as the wonderful plants I've attainedthis year are just waiting to find their perfect spot. This is my first attempt at gardening, and although I need LOTS of landscaping ideas, my plants have been such a pleasure & very therapeutic to me...I talk & interact with each & everyone of them everyday. I owe SO much to Dee at Deez Treez for sharing her knowledge and making me believe I could do this!!

[Jeanette]

I would love this book for my sister.

[Alison]

I love Rebecca's blog and really enjoyed visiting her garden this summer during the Fling. I'd be thrilled to get her feedback on a few problem spots in my garden.

[Debbie S]

Awesome give-a-way! My book arrives today, and I could use some help re-doing my front yard.

[Sue]

What a wonderful opportunity to have Rebecca's advice on refreshing your garden. It looks like we'll all have a chance to get some great inspiration from Rebecca's book as we do some planning for next year's garden over the winter ahead.

[Shelley Michel]

Oh my - better than a "Garden Fairy"! I look forward to being more-than-just-inspired by reading the book!

[Patty]

Would love to win! What a great opportunity. Enjoyed meeting Rebecca recently at a San Diego event.

[Melody McMahon]

Such a fun and informative way to link gardeners! Thanks for hosting a virtual book party!

[Vicki @ Playin' Outside]

I and my garden SO need this. Rebecca's amazing garden is an inspiration but I still have no idea how to incorporate any sense of design in my own garden - er, mishmash.

[Shirley]

Would love a consultation and Rebecca's new book looks wonderful.

[Jezibels]

I really need to use more color in my garden, with winter setting in what a super time to curl up with a good garden book!

[Laura]

Been gardening for 30+ years and I love the I concept of this book! Advice every gardener can use!

[Cheris]

Wow! I would love this. Just what I need.