Late Bloomer - by Jan Coppola Bills (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

There are times in a gardener's life when what we want to do and what we can do are at odds. Our knees and backs may be complaining, our energy isn't what it was - yet our desire to get our hands in the dirt is as strong as ever. Or maybe we've downsized to a much smaller outdoor space that doesn't look promising at all. What to do? In Late Bloomer, garden designer Jan Coppola Bills shows us how to successfully rethink our approach to gardening as we age. The author is a second-half-of-life gardener who helps her many friends and clients achieve easy care, low cost, eco-friendly, simple and beautiful gardens. It's all about maintaining a joyful, healthful connection with the soil - but without the toil. Late Bloomer is part garden philosophy and part on-the-ground strategies and tips from the author and expert gardeners across the U.S. With color photos on almost every page, this inviting and practical book is organized around the four tenets of the Late Bloomer philosophy: Simplicity. Beauty and Harmony. Comfort and Ease. Relaxation and Letting Go.

Review Quotes

[Jan's] new book, "Late Bloomer", is as much about changing our later-life view of gardening as it is practical tips on getting the job done despite sore backs and aching knees.--George Weigel

Her down-to-earth tips are so smart, they could help gardeners of any age get more enjoyment from their gardening experience.--Jodi Torpey "How to be a Happy Gardener"

Just got a dandy new book from St. Lynn's called Late Bloomer. It's about taking up gardening in your mature years (middle age) to whenever you decide to quit. Since I considered myself a late bloomer it was an interesting read. Lots of tips, ideas, and learning to simplify your work. I should have had this book twenty years ago because it says only plant what you can comfortably tend. Read this if you are just beginning to garden, it might save your back and knees!--Stephanie Cohen, The Perennial Diva "Stephanie Cohen FB page"

Late Bloomer is filled with sensible ideas about tools, plant selections, irrigation, and garden maintenance. The good advice is not just for veteran gardeners, but beginning gardeners and everyone in between.--Jill Sell

This book is all about making gardening easier as we age, but it would be a great resource for any gardener who could use tips on easy ways to keep their green spaces looking great.--Joanne Kempinger Demski

Late Bloomer may be a small book but it brings a different perspective for landscape designers and is full of ideas for giving the client gardens they will want to live in.--Bobbie Schwartz