My Skinny Garden

grow, marvel, eat, laugh, persevere

Monday, December 29, 2008

Gardening Magazines, Still Fashionable

2008_0601image0040 Even though I spend a huge amount of time (seriously, like enough to earn a degree, grow a child, cure world hunger...) on the Internet reading gardening blogs and even though most great gardening magazines now have great gardening magazine websites (like this one, and this one), I just can't give up actual magazines. There is something about those glossy garden pictures. No matter where I go, I can stuff a magazine in my bag, and I don't have to wait till we're at 10,000 feet to read it.

This Christmas, two of my favorite gifts were Mother Earth News (MEN ha ha) and Fine Gardening. I love Mother Earth for the great information and its low-fluff, and Fine Gardening, well, I'm just a sucker for those does-anybodies-garden-really-look-like-this garden pictures.

The worst thing about me and gardening magazines is separation anxiety. I can't make myself throw them away! I blame my grandmother! But, this fall when my magazines got really out of control, I made myself create a few file folders to keep individual articles and toss, give away, or recycle the rest of the magazine. Most of my keeper articles so far fit into three categories, DESIGN, HOW-TO and ORGANIC PEST CONTROL.

If you have a gardener in your circle, consider giving a magazine subscription the next time you're trying to think of a great gift. Even in 2009, we still love them. And, as corny as it sounds, it really is the gift that keeps on giving.

Thanks, Santa. I love you!
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9 comments:

  1. KatieDecember 29, 2008 at 7:41 PM

    I love Mother Earth News and Organic Gardening. I've been wanting to buy the back issues of M.E.N. (!) on CD. Maybe next Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  2. ConnieDecember 29, 2008 at 9:31 PM

    Hey, it's nice to see you back on your blog!
    I gave my brother a subscription to Organic Gardening for Christmas. My favorite is Country Gardens.
    My gift from DH is a garden arbor/arch for over the walkway between my picket fences. I am so excited...I have plans to plant a clematis on one side and a climbing rose on the other.

    ReplyDelete
  3. EALDecember 30, 2008 at 6:23 AM

    I love magazines. I just wish the gardening magazines were a bit better!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousDecember 30, 2008 at 7:32 AM

    Yeah ... right. Nice magazines.
    Lot's of good articles. Please visit and take a look at my gardening site.
    Lots of good articles too.
    Free Gardening Tips

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mr. McGregor's DaughterDecember 30, 2008 at 8:19 AM

    I too have a problem getting rid of old gardening magazines. That's because I used to do what you do now, cut out any interesting articles & recycle the rest. Then I recycled a magazine that had a feature on Trudi Temple's garden in Hinsdale. I've been kicking myself ever since, and that was 15 years ago!

    ReplyDelete
  6. GinaDecember 31, 2008 at 12:46 PM

    Katie - let me know how you like the back issues. I just ordered OG, too, using a gift card from my brother. That's 3 new mags for 09! YAY!

    Connie - thanks for missing me! I have no good excuse for being MIA. I've just not been feeling very creative over the past 8 weeks. I can't wait to see your new garden arbor! I do hope you'll share pictures with us.

    EAL - with you being a magazine editor, I'm sure you catch stuff that I wouldn't even notice. In your opinion, what is the BEST gardening magazine published?

    Minarto - no spamming, dude!

    ReplyDelete
  7. RosemarieDecember 31, 2008 at 1:00 PM

    I agree I love Hort Mag and Organic Gardening. I got seeds for x-mas but no magazines ... maybe next year!

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  8. MAJanuary 1, 2009 at 7:13 AM

    Uh, Gina,
    Have you read the part where I have spent the last month PAYING someone to help me empty my garage of old magazines? I bet I have 12 years of Garden Design, Gardens Illustrated, Organic Gardening, Fine Gardening, Horticulture, American Gar........

    It's the price we pay for wanting to be better at our passion.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Chiot's RunFebruary 22, 2009 at 3:20 PM

    I can't give up garden magazines either. I love Organic Gardening. I also have a hard time getting rid of them. I save them and reread them from time to time.

    ReplyDelete

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