The Climate-Wise Gardener: Ecological Approaches to Growing Abundant Food, Medicine, and Habitat

“The Climate-Wise Gardener is exactly what every gardener needs right now. The book is timely and inspiring, covering practical guidance for shifting to ecological practices.”—Jessi Bloom, founder, NW Bloom EcoLogical Services; author of Creating Sanctuary and Practical Permaculture “Gardening is changing—and our gardens need to change with it. Cramer offers a refreshing way of thinking about the garden as a living ecosystem rather than simply a collection of plants. Through an ecological framework grounded in practical and actionable advice, this book shows gardeners of all skill levels how to design and manage home gardens that are more resilient, regenerative, and alive.”—Summer Rayne Oakes, producer, Plant One On Me and HouseplantMasterclass.com “This book thoughtfully challenges many of the assumptions we’ve inherited about gardening. Rather than relying on tilling, fertilizers, and frequent intervention, Jennie’s framework offers practical ecological strategies for working with nature—building healthy soil, supporting the web of life, and deepening your relationship with the landscape. Whether you’re tending a few vegetable beds or stewarding a food forest, you’ll find the foundational ideas needed to create a thriving, ecologically minded landscape. I was especially delighted by the seasonal gardening section, which serves as a trusted bedside companion to return to throughout the year. An essential roadmap for every gardener seeking a deeper connection with our beloved Mother Earth.”—Matt Lebon, host, The Foodscaper Podcast “Whether you are a beginner gardener looking for a trusted guide or a professional landscape manager wanting to integrate the latest research and ecological approaches into your practice, this book is for you. It is well organized, including useful tables and charts, and beautifully designed with photos and illustrations. Each chapter covers unique topics and step-by-step guidelines for building a productive and beautiful landscape that requires minimal effort once established and is resilient to a changing climate. The importance of biological diversity both above- and belowground is emphasized throughout, alongside other ecological principles. While readers can refer to specific chapters as needed, the engaging and personal style of author Jennie Cramer makes the book a joy to read from cover to cover.”—David W. Wolfe, professor emeritus, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University “Jennie’s wisdom, generosity, and joy combines skill and soul to surround us all with abundance. Bringing Jennie into the garden is bringing a friend into the garden! Hope is a verb, so roll up your sleeves and dig into a feast of knowledge to feed us all.”—Petra Page-Mann, cofounder, Fruition Seeds “This is a comprehensive and beautifully written overview for the aspiring and experienced ecological gardener alike. It’s not often that I find a gardening book that addresses the contemporary challenges of a changing climate, including erratic temperature fluctuations and novel pests. I’ve known Jennie for nearly twenty years, and I walk past her old permaculture homestead daily; it’s still thriving and bursting with edible abundance long after she left. It’s such a blessing to see her accumulated wisdom spelled out in such a warm and intelligent narrative. The Climate-Wise Gardener will set you firmly on the good path of ecological gardening.”—Andrew Millison, founder and educator, Oregon State University’s permaculture design program