Earthly Delights: Gardening by the Seasons the Easy Way

The essays provide simple, timesaving insights on how to cultivate a natural refuge in any growing zone without backbreaking work or worry. Rochester is a master gardener and her sound horticultural advice is presented in a light, humorous tone that makes this book a relaxing refuge in its own right. ― Publishers Weekly

Informs gardeners about plant selection, garden design, propagating, seed starting, on-the-spot composting, pruning, and attracting birds and butterflies as well as reflecting upon ways gardening enriches the gardener’s life. ― Foreword Reviews

Rochester’s writing is conversational and witty; gardeners will smile at her musings on topics. Most essential, however, are her reflections on the plants she loves. Gardeners, especially those in the South, will pick up some great ideas here. ― Library Journal

Earthly Delights is a collection of her witty, wise and philosophical garden columns. — Sheila Riddick McKinney ― Chronicle-Independent

Rochester’s book advocates gardening with mininal effort for maximum show. — Megan Sexton ― The State

Helps broaden our understanding of the rhythm of the gardening year. ― National Gardening Association

It’s also an easy read, almost like Rochester is taking you by the hand to walk you through her garden as she shares her thoughts and tips. — Debbie Radford ― The Beaufort Gazette

Perhaps it’s time to put down the shovel and wipe the sweat out of your eyes. A little hammock time with Earthly Delights might teach you a trick or tow about gardening the easy way. — Marian St. Clair ― The Greenville News

Her conversational, clever and hilarious book offers more than 75 no-nonsense tips for the lazy, older or practical gardener who seeks a manageable, organic, gorgeous landscape. — Pam Beck ― News Observer

Rochester has a philosophy that gardening should be fun, and if it isn’t, don’t do it. She offers more than 75 strategies for avoiding backache and vexation. ― Plain Dealer

Goes into great and witty depth about the many ways to make gardening less like drudgery and more satisfying. — Geegee Rosell ― Island Breeze

Cheap and labor-saving…that combination just can’t be beat. — Kevin Scott Cutler ― Beaufort-Hyde News

A charmingly chatty how-to manual. — Denise Cowie ― The Philadelphia Inquirer

In a very common sense way of gardening along with a delightful sense of humor, Rochester shares her considerable gardening knowledge. Earthly Delights inspires us to enjoy gardening and spend our efforts and energy on other things than turning the compost heap or pulling multitudes of weeds. — Joanne S. Carpender ― National Garden Clubs

Margot Rochester blends solid how-to advice with delightful anecdotes. — Hilary Groutage ― The Salt Lake Tribune

Experience gardeners who read Earthly Delights will find much that is familiar, but I don’t think you can read more than a sentence or two without learning new garden facts. — Betsy Jukofsky ― Hilton Head Island Packet

This retired high school English teacher’s gardening and writing expertise shines forth in all 216 pages of the book. — Betsy Humphries ― Item

While this garden maven says she takes the lazy person’s route to cultivating, readers quickly will understand there’s no lack of passion here. Rochester’s gardens have sprouted from one funny, feisty, and free-spirited seed. ― The Coast

A really fun look at getting gardening done without doing yourself in. — Nel Neal ― The Clarion-Ledger

Earthly Delights avoids the compulsive perfectionism that drives many out of gardening into hobbies less subject to the influence of weather, insects, mold, chipmunks, and nutsedge. A great gift to your favorite gardener, who will read and smile through a whole year of gardening experiences. — Donna Williamson ― Hortresources Newsletter

Enjoy of the change of seasons as you learn from this charming book about how to garden year-round the easy way. If you find yourself stressing out about how to manage your landscape, curl up with Earthly Delights and feel you weary self relax. — Marianne Binetti ― Seattle Post-Intelligencer

This book is a ‘curl up in the middle of winter and be led into the author’s garden for a while.’ ― Fauquier Times-Democrat

Opinionated, irrverant, funny, thought provoking, and this decade’s version of Henry Mitchell. ― The Day

A pleasant read. ― Trentonian

A delightful, information-packed romp down the garden path. ― Carolina Gardener

If you want to garden for pleasure with minimal effort for maximum results, this book is for you. Margot is a knowledgeable and experienced gardener plus an entertaining writer. — Rose Wilkins ― Sandlapper