Down to Earth with Helen Dillon

In this book Helen Dillon encapsulates, in her inimitable witty and accessible style, her lifetime of gardening know-how, deep love of plants, and assured sense of design. Here is illumination for every gardener — from the beginner wondering why nothing will grow in the garden of the new house to the sophisticate aiming at exquisitely subtle effects. Thoughtful ideas on garden style are underpinned by practical advice on looking after plants and careful instructions on the basics of digging, planting, and propagating. Helen Dillon teaches us all how to garden, and garden well.

Media reviews of this book:

"A delightful book for both new and experienced gardeners, full of Dillon's hands-on experience. She is as generous in sharing her mistakes as her successes."

—Dulcy Mahar, Homes + Gardens Northwest, January 10, 2008

"For people who enjoy fine writing as well as fine gardening, I heartily recommend Down to Earth With Helen Dillon. ... When I first read Helen Dillon, who gardens in Dublin, it was one of those moments when I knew I'd found a special writer who has a great touch whether she's writing about slugs or topsoil dealers."

—Irene Virag, Newsday, December 16, 2007

"Features witty and instructive essays by this esteemed garden maker based in Dublin."

—Carol Stocker, Boston Globe, December 13, 2007

"Helen Dillon mixes an irresistible Irish wit with common-sense design advice and plant knowledge. ... She describes the arc of her gardening life and the evolution of her famous Dublin garden in frank words that will appeal equally to beginning and seasoned gardeners."

—Valerie Easton, Seattle Times, December 9, 2007

"Gardening from a pristine Dublin plot, droll green thumb Dillon offers equal measures of witticism and advice — both expert techniques and common sense tips — in this verdant, photo-rich guide, imbued with enough passion to inspire an all-consuming hobby. The perfect book for anyone contemplating a leap into the gardening lifestyle ... informative, personal, and gorgeous."

—Publishers Weekly, December 3, 2007

Read more media reviews

An excerpt from this book:

Gardens seem to get smaller at precisely the same rate as mortgages get bigger. Tiny gardens and whopping mortgages. Combine the two. Add a young family. Knackered at weekends, exhausted in the evening, in order to cope you must scrumple up your life and squeeze it into a ball like a piece of newspaper. There's no time left for gardening. Besides, the few minutes you have should be spent as recovery time, standing in your garden and learning to breathe, instead of doing the eyes-down, hard slog of yesterday's gardener. The other day I started to think about how to make a garden requiring less than an hour's work a week ...

Read the whole excerpt