Iāve always believed that the best things in life are grown slowlyāwith love, intention, and a little dirt under your nails. So when I came across Start with Soil by Juliet Sargeant, I knew it was a book Iād not only enjoy, but recommend to every gardener, green thumb, or curious nature-lover in my life.
This isnāt just a book about dirt (though spoiler: soil is so much more than dirt). Itās a gentle, beautiful guide to building a better garden by nurturing the very thing it grows from. Juliet Sargeantāgarden designer, BBC Gardenersā Question Time panelist, and one of my new favorite voices in the gardening worldāinvites us to slow down, dig deep (literally), and reconnect with the soil beneath our feet.
šæ What I Loved About This Book
Juliet has a way of making science feel like storytelling. You donāt need to be an expert to follow alongāshe walks you through the basics of soil health, composting, no-dig gardening, and even creating rain gardens, all with a calm, encouraging tone. It feels like chatting with a wise friend who happens to know a lot about growing good things.
The illustrations are beautiful, the steps are practical, and whether youāre tending a big backyard garden or a tiny container setup on your porch, youāll find something in here that resonates.
š§” Why Soil Matters (Now More Than Ever)
Hereās something Juliet reminds us of again and again: healthy soil = a healthy planet. The way we treat our gardens affects everything from local ecosystems to global climate resilience. And while that might sound overwhelming, she makes it feel empowering. Because when we tend to the soil, even in our own backyard, weāre participating in something much bigger than ourselves.
Youāll walk away from this book knowing:
š± How to feed your soil, not just your plants
š Why compost is gold (and easier than you think)
š§ļø How rainwater, mulch, and native plants work together
š That even small changes can make a big difference
š¼ A Spring Must-Read for Garden Lovers
As we tiptoe into spring, Start with Soil has become my morning companionāright alongside my cup of coffee and seed catalog stack. Itās inspired me to try a new composting method, rethink how I prep my beds, andāmaybe most importantlyāpause and appreciate the magic happening underground.
This is the kind of book youāll dog-ear, reference, and pass along to a fellow plant-loving friend. Itās full of gentle guidance, thoughtful practices, and a whole lot of love for the natural world.
š Ready to Dig In?
You can pre-order Start with Soil here, and it officially releases on April 29, 2025. If youāre dreaming of a thriving, regenerative gardenāor just want to fall in love with your soil againāthis oneās for you.
Letās get our hands dirty in the best way possible. š±
