Customer Reviews

Digging Deep: Unearthing Your Creative Roots Through Gardening

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
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I thought it was very strange when someone gave me this book as a gift in that I don't even have a yard. Most of the house plants I've had over the years have died from either too little or too much watering. It felt like a gag gift. I'm surprised I ever even started reading it but once I did I couldn't put it down. I realize now that the reason I had so much trouble with plants before is that I never really accepted them as being alive and as a result treated them as if they were a painting or a sculpture. I've re-stocked my kitchen with plants and we're all getting along very well thanks to Ms. Sorin. It has added more than foliage to my life.

I never really thought of myself as a gardner but reading Fran Sorin's book made me realize that it's not about a competition and trying to have the "best" garden on the block but about getting in sync with yourself through a connection with the earth. I get so caught up in a mad rush with work and just life in general but there is nothing like the process involved in growing things. I think I am more connected to my environment and my life through this simple but profound exploration of improving your life through gardening.

Ever since I moved to New York City I felt like I just didn't have any time to do things I used to enjoy so much. And I read about this book in USAWeekend and bought it and got so inspired that I bought two fica plants before I even finished the book. It reminded me of the time I used to spend with my Irish grandma out in the garden where I grew up near Peoria, IL. It filled me with life again, and not to get too honest, since reading Fran Sorin's book I have gotten the courage to break off a relationship I should have ended a while back. And I honestly feel I am ready to start and enjoy making my new life grow!

This delightful book came to me at exactly the right time. The month
of March in Wisconsin is one of the toughest months for anyone who
loves gardening. Reading a pretty gardening book that focuses on
the gardener was exactly what I needed to make it through until the
first signs of spring began to arrive.

The author has divided this book up into stages of imagining,
envisioning, planning, planting, tending, enjoying, and completing
your garden. Each stage was an affirmation for me of why I connect
with nature and have dirt under my fingernails all summer long.

Step by step, you are shown how to find the creativity within and trust your instincts as you allow yourself to dream your garden into being. While there is plenty of practical how-to information, most of the insights in this book lead you toward building the self-confidence to allow yourself to listen, experiment and bring your vision into full bloom.

This book will remain along side my other favorite gardening books to
be read again and again, whenever I need some gardening inspiration.

Armchair Interviews says: Gardening inspiration...what a great concept.

This book is not just another step by step garden design book. It is a fascinating look into the mental and psychological processes of garden design. Fran works to awaken and inspire the gardener to design a personal and unique garden that has meaning to its owner. The book is broken up into seven design stages. Fran says that these techniques can be used to unleash creativity and that gardening empowers us to go on to be successful in other parts of our lives. Each section has exercises to help us design our own gardens that are personally fulfilling to us.
If you are looking for a paint by number plan to quickly create a nice looking garden, this book is not for you. If you are looking for a book full of shiny pictures, you will be disappointed. However, if you are interested in jump-starting your creativity to help you plan and make a unique garden that reflects your personal style, you should have a copy of Digging Deep on your bookshelves.

"I believe the ultimate goal is not to be creative, but to learn how to live creatively."

Sorin was successful at her last job, but it wasn't satisfying. When the time came to create a garden at her new home, Sorin went to special lengths for her garden and it eventually lead her to a new career in garden design. The lessons learned during her career change are what _Digging Deep_ is all about.

Sorin's book is set up in six sections.

"Six stages of "creative unfolding within the context of your garden: Imagining, Envisioning, Planning, Planting, Tending, Enjoying, and Completing."

In the stages are mini chapters of creative lessons. Sorin gives examples by way of her experiences with her clients. She tells of her clients' excitement in discovering a creative approach to life, in the hopes that it will inspire the reader. At the end of the chapters, she gives readers things to do. They aren't demanding and some may even become nice habits.

_Digging Deep_ is an inspiring self-help book that uses gardening as a metaphor. The book is well written and Sorin's advice is rational and clear. Highly Recommended.

Digging Deep: Unearthing Your Creative Roots Through Gardening
By Fran Sorin, Warner Books
ISBN 13:978-0-446-69402-5, ISBN: 10: 0-446-69402-9

With a background in landscape design, psychology and communications, the author has built a successful career assisting clients to visualize their garden needs. On occasion, this has turned out to be a challenge because several of her clients saw themselves as uncreative. Consequently, they would express helplessness in articulating a personal vision for their garden. The author disagrees. Believing that creativity is stored in all of us, she uses her understanding of human nature to help her clients and readers recognize their inner selves. Ultimately, the results produce gardens that meet both our deep-seated needs and our requirements for outdoor living.

The planning, execution and care of a garden all unfold in a seven step process, utilizing the concepts of Imagining, Envisioning, Planning, Planting, Tending, Enjoying and Completing. Each concept is explained and elaborated in detail and is reinforced with examples from the author's experiences with her clients. In addition, she quotes liberally from accomplished professionals who not only understand their own creative processes but also who are sufficiently eloquent to share those experiences with us.

Ostensibly, a how-to book, the advice and instructions are amplified through numerous anecdotal narratives, which in turn are enriched with a wealth of side stories. Fundamental advice on the basics of gardening is also included so that when readers are prepared to convert their vision into a reality, the necessary tools and skills will be at hand.

There is a creative process that begins with a vague notion of a garden in our mind and ends with an actual one in our back yard. Everything we need to know about realizing that goal is woven seamlessly into this publication. With the help of the author, developing a garden is a satisfying journey to discover our own creative potential. Seasoned gardeners will easily recognize themselves in this book and will be delighted by the affirmation it brings them. Novice gardeners will be inspired.
Allan Becker reviews books for Bookpleasures.com

This was a gift for my daughter-in-law. She told me that she really liked the book and would recommend it to anyone.

All gardeners from novice to experienced will enjoy the suggestions and reflections of the author. A must read recommended by the ladies of the Tualatin Valley Garden Club.

Digging Deep: Unearthing Your Creative Roots Through Gardening
By Fran Sorin
Warner Books
ISBN 13:978-0-446-69402-5, ISBN: 10: 0-446-69402-9

With a background in landscape design, psychology and communications, the author has built a successful career assisting clients to visualize their garden needs. On occasion, this has turned out to be a challenge because several of her clients saw themselves as uncreative. Consequently, they would express helplessness in articulating a personal vision for their garden. The author disagrees. Believing that creativity is stored in all of us, she uses her understanding of human nature to help her clients and readers recognize their inner selves. Ultimately, the results produce gardens that meet both our deep - seated needs and our requirements for outdoor living.

The planning, execution and care of a garden all unfold in a seven step process, utilizing the concepts of Imagining, Envisioning, Planning, Planting, Tending, Enjoying and Completing. Each concept is explained and elaborated in detail and is reinforced with examples from the author's experiences with her clients. In addition, she quotes liberally from accomplished professionals who not only understand their own creative processes but also who are sufficiently eloquent to share those experiences with us.

Ostensibly, a how-to book, the advice and instructions are amplified through numerous anecdotal narratives, which in turn are enriched with a wealth of side stories. Fundamental advice on the basics of gardening is also included so that when readers are prepared to convert their vision into a reality, the necessary tools and skills will be at hand.

There is a creative process that begins with a vague notion of a garden in our mind and ends with an actual one in our back yard. Everything we need to know about realizing that goal is woven seamlessly into this publication. With the help of the author, developing a garden is a satisfying journey to discover our own creative potential. Seasoned gardeners will easily recognize themselves in this book and will be delighted by the affirmation it brings them. Novice gardeners will be inspired.

Allan Becker reviews books for [...]