Second Nature: A Gardener's Education by michael pollan

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I have delved deep into the history of lawns, which has been an incredibly enriching experience.

I have discovered so much about the growers and their unique philosophies. Their dedication and passion for cultivating beautiful lawns are truly inspiring.

Additionally, I have learned about The Nature Conservancy and its vital role in protecting our environment.

The importance of trees cannot be overstated, and I have gained a newfound appreciation for their beauty and significance.

Overall, this exploration has been nothing short of fascinating, and I look forward to learning more in the future.

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sliceofpi

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I am truly a die-hard Michael Pollan fan.

It is really interesting to observe the seeds of his subsequent books being sown in this particular one.

As a novice gardener, I have discovered that this book is not only captivating but also highly informative and extremely easy to read.

What I like most especially is his exploration of what constitutes a "green thumb" and the concept of "wilderness."

Pollan's writing style is engaging and accessible, making it possible for even those with little prior knowledge of gardening to understand and appreciate the subject matter.

His insights into the relationship between humans and nature are both thought-provoking and inspiring.

This book has not only deepened my understanding of gardening but has also made me more aware of the importance of protecting our natural environment.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in gardening or nature.

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SnowYeti22

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This book truly deserves five stars from me as I firmly believe it is a modern classic. It should be placed in the same league as the works of Izaak Walton, Aldo Leopold, and yes, even Thoreau, with whom the author engages in an argument throughout the book.

It is not merely about gardening; rather, it delves deep into Americans' relationship with the land, including their suburban front and back yards. The fact that he commences with his Long Island suburban plot is what truly captured my interest. We suburbanites grow up with a very restricted view of nature and often a diminished perception of aspects like architecture and design as well.

I am new to gardening, but I am no stranger to pondering over American nature and landscape. I have long cherished reading and reflecting on the debate between Romanticism and more Classical approaches to the American landscape. The tension between absolute wilderness (no human intervention) and absolute cultivation (think Roundup Ready corn and hybrid roses) sometimes leaves little space for a novel perspective on the land. Pollan initiates with a critique of the very concept of wilderness: for instance, the dandelions planted by early Eastern settlers had carpeted the frontier before the covered wagons arrived.

Pollan appears to employ a strategy in all his books. He composes essays, focusing on a single aspect of a topic, such as trees, roses, the garden, seed catalogs, and so on. Then he undertakes a comprehensive philosophical, cultural, literary, and scientific exploration of the topic. If anyone else were to do this, it would likely be dry and tedious, but not so with Michael Pollan. He is so deeply involved with each of these topics and so adept at interweaving his own experiences that his writing is filled with humor and passion - something significant is at stake here. He is not just ruminating on these ideas but basing decisions about what he will do with his own property on them.

I gleaned two major insights about my own property from this book: a) a prairie with paths meandering through it is the highest form of landscaping we could undertake on our property; and b) I am a complete novice when it comes to flower gardening!

This book was truly grounding and affirming in a very real sense. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who desires to understand America's relationship with this beautiful, wild, and productive land.

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czarryno

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

As a dedicated backyard gardener, I was the ideal audience for this book, one of Pollan's earliest.

I was particularly drawn to the chapters that read more like memoirs than philosophical musings. The chapter about his father, who defiantly refused to cut his grass and instead carved his initials into the lawn after pushy neighbors complained, was both humorous and endearing.

His grandfather, who constantly tried to improve his son-in-law's lawn and saw anything less than perfectly straight rows and weed-free beds as a personal affront, added another layer of charm.

The chapter about Pollan's desire to be carefree and "at one" with nature as he planned his Connecticut backyard, only to quickly develop a killer instinct as he raged against the woodchuck devouring all his seedlings, was relatable and entertaining.

The overall concept in this book, that the fantasy of untouched nature is as harmful to the ecosystem as the ethos of development, and that a gardener's approach, accepting a conscious guardianship of spaces that are always a blend of nature and culture, could temper both, is a profound one.

It may have even influenced my colleague James Barilla, who wrote about preserving wildness in urban spaces in his book My Backyard Jungle.

I believe both Pollan and Barilla are correct in realizing that fantasies of purity and authenticity do more to prevent us from seeing and experiencing the places around us than they do to protect those spaces.

Taking responsibility for our impact and acknowledging that we cannot avoid having one is a significant step towards recognizing the interdependence of our species with countless others.

Pollan writes about the curse of lawns, the future of trees, and the snobbery and politics of seed catalogs. As in his more famous works, he combines memoir, literary references, historical background, and popular science in an engaging manner.

I must admit that his reflections on ornamental garden planning made me a bit envious of his garden, which in turn made me realize that while he discusses botany, aristocracy, and fears of miscegenation expressed through the rejection of hybrid varieties, he doesn't really address class privilege, land ownership, and leisure time.

His and his wife's schedules allow them to spend a great deal of time working on and enjoying their gardens. One of the issues this book doesn't face, and perhaps it would disrupt the flow to do so, is that very few people have that privilege and thus the ability to author a garden that conveys a custodial relationship to the land.

Perhaps it is significant that one of his constant references is Thoreau, who also had a great deal of privilege and leisure, enabling him to live simply near Walden Pond.

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Elydan

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Really enjoyable

Today was truly an enjoyable day. I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. The sun was shining brightly, and the birds were singing sweetly outside my window. I decided to go for a walk in the park and enjoy the beautiful weather. As I walked, I noticed the colorful flowers blooming everywhere, and the grass was so green and lush. It was a sight to behold. I also met some friendly people along the way and had some interesting conversations with them. After my walk, I went to a nearby café and ordered a cup of coffee and a slice of cake. The coffee was delicious, and the cake was moist and decadent. I sat there for a while, reading a book and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. Overall, it was a really enjoyable day, and I'm looking forward to many more like it.

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beenielson

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This is a rather esoteric book that delves deep into the high-minded philosophy of gardening. It contains an abundance of philosophical musings that sometimes give off an almost elitist vibe when discussing our relationship with the landscape.

However, despite its flaws, there is one section that really stood out to me - the part on composting. I found this particular section to be the most interesting and engaging.

The author's detailed explanation of the composting process and its importance in maintaining a healthy garden was both informative and practical. It made me realize the significance of this often overlooked aspect of gardening.

Overall, while the book may have its drawbacks in terms of its excessive philosophy and elitist tone, the section on composting alone makes it worth a read for those interested in the art and science of gardening.

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IcyAngel

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

My review seems to have vanished, and almost all the information indicating that I have read this book twice has also disappeared.

The only thing that remains are some reading progress notes from earlier this year when I read this memoir for the second time.

Regrettably, I am unable to pen a proper review that is truly worthy of this remarkable gardening memoir. However, I will jot down a few words based on what I can recall.

Many years ago, when I was a novice gardener, I chanced upon this "gardening" book long before Pollan became a household name. He is not only brilliant and humorous but also an outstanding writer and thinker.

Unlike any other garden writer, he delves into the ethics and ecology of lawns, mocks "pompous catalogs" and their extravagant promises (in a hilarious chapter), contemplates the dilemma of trapping vs. sharing his land with a woodchuck, explores the theme of sex in the rose garden, writes about planting a tree, erecting fences, composting, and much more.

Pollan's first foray into gardening occurred when he was just four years old. He discovered a watermelon by the back fence in his backyard.

He made the mental connection between this watermelon and the watermelon seeds he had spat out in the same spot several months earlier.

Amazed by what he had grown, he thought, "mom has to see this." He picked up the watermelon, staggered towards the house, but unfortunately dropped it on the concrete, where it burst open.

Pollan writes that "every garden since then has been an attempt to recapture that watermelon and the sense of pride that accompanied its discovery." (Thank you, Amazon, for the "Look Inside This Book" feature.)

I am undeniably a biased Pollan enthusiast. So, all I can say is that if anything in this haphazard review piques your interest, and this review fails to do justice to this wonderful book, you might want to give it a read.

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TheFlier

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I truly adored The Omnivore's Dilemma. It is an outstanding book that has had a profound impact on my thoughts regarding food. However, I simply could not make it through even the first half of this particular one. Maybe it's because I had just listened to Barbara Kingsolver's Animal Vegetable Mineral and endured the self-centered portions within that work.

There were indeed parts of her book that I liked. But her voice came across as so self-satisfied, and the perspective was so distinctly that of the Eastern US and white American that I just couldn't bear to endure another round of a similar tone. It seems that the style and perspective of this new book were too similar to the aspects I didn't enjoy in Kingsolver's work, causing me to lose interest and struggle to continue reading.

I had hoped for something different, something that would offer a fresh and diverse take on the topic of food and its related issues. Unfortunately, this book failed to meet those expectations, leaving me disappointed and longing for a more engaging and inclusive exploration of the subject.

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Second Nature: A Gardener's Education

michael pollan

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