Life in a Cottage Garden: a delightful, personal account of a year spent delighting in and cherishing a beautiful garden from the BBC’s Carol Klein

What can I say? I bought it when it first came out in 2011 and it STILL hasn't made it on to a bookshelf as I am constantly dipping into it. Particularly in the weirdness of 2020, it is a lovely diary of a garden year to dive into. Beautiful photos, thoughtfully written. Yes there are gardening tips, but also a feeling of calm continuation of life in a garden, which can't be overrated at this time. I can't recommend it highly enough.

I borrowed it from our local library and enjoyed it so much, I decided I wanted my own copy and bought it on Amazon. It's written in Carol's own enthusiastic yet relaxed stile, set out as a daily/monthly Diary. To crown it all we met Carol in the carpark at RHS Bridgewater on the day she opened the gardens.

This is a book to savour by reading it from cover to cover as I have, but you could equally dip into it for hints and tips relating to a specific time of year. It's literally a year in the life of Carol's own garden at Glebe Cottage in Devon. As the months pass, you experience the chill of snow-covered winter borders, the hopefulness of Spring and lush exuberance of Summer, and the fiery tints of Autumn. You peer through the shortening days of November and into December, the darkest month of the year.We don't have a television so I've never seen Carol in action but I've always enjoyed her articles in gardening magazines. In this book she comes over as a warm and energetic person, dedicated to gardening in a natural, environmentally friendly way. As an aside, I was delighted to discover that her birthday is the day before mine and that she's the same age.The style is rich in detail and beautiful imagery, accompanied on every page by gorgeous photographs. Although it feels more like a story than a textbook, there's no shortage of hints and advice and plenty of ideas to tempt and inspire. The only thing that annoyed me, and so slightly that it's the most minor of niggles, was the strange typeface that produced a circle above two adjoining letters, often s and t, in the opening section of each chapter. I've not seen it before and thought it distracting and gimmicky, but it's not serious enough to spoil a wonderful book.If you're at all interested in gardens it's a gardening book with a difference, and it would make a superb present for a gardening friend or relative. It's a lovely book to curl up with, preferably in front of the fire, but even though I've read it from cover to cover I shall enjoy dipping into it while relaxing with a cup of coffee in the sunshine. Be warned, though, Carol's energy and dedication will make you feel guilty that you're not out there with the trowel and secateurs getting on with the chores that she makes sound so enticing!

I love anything from Carol Klein, she's so inspiring and her enthusiasm shines through every page. This book is especially good if you watched the TV series that accompanied it, but not necessary, her narrative is plain and easily followed, ideal for gardeners old and new.

This sumptuous book is a personal account of Carol Klein's year in her own garden, with the usual superb photography from her long-time collaborator, Jonathan Buckley. Most of the book follows a diary-style format, with happenings throughout the year with Carol's own thoughts on the topic in hand. We are also treated to little essays on particular plants, and naturally heavily illustrated with the most gorgeous photographs of Carol's garden.Carol's writing, for me, puts her up there with Vita Sackville-West and Christopher Lloyd. She writes so eloquently and enthusiastically, she really inspires readers to go out and grow the plants she talks about. There are touching and poignant moments in her text too, but mostly it speaks volumes about her love of the plants she grows.There are lots of useful things gardeners can learn within these pages. It's not a manual though, so when looking for advice it's not so easy to find information - it's not that kind of book. It demands to be enjoyed in its own right, whether read cover to cover or dipped in and out of. A really lovely book, and aspirational in the nicest way; not trying to be too trendy, too modern, too traditional - just a wonderful garden book from a wonderful gardener.

I loved the TV series so decided to treat myself to the book and wasn't disappointed. Yes ok, it's not a reference book but I have been able to find answers to a number of queries by dipping in to the book and Carol explains things so well.

Carol Klein's enthusiasm for the flowers in her garden is very evident. I love reading about the different seasons and how the garden reaches its peaks and the occasional trough when a special plant is lost.

Essential reading for all fans of the cottage garden style. Carols enthusiasm is infectious and the books a delight to read.