Thought-provoking, inspiring almanac will delight Catholic gardeners

(CNS photo)

Any Catholic who enjoys gardening will find much inspiration, both spiritual and practical, in this original compendium written by Margaret Rose Realy, a master gardener, retreat leader and Catholic blogger.
Each chapter highlights a particular month's religious themes, traditions, feasts and special saints and offers unique gardening lore.
For instance, the author presents June as a month of "transformation and new life," not only for plants but for Christians given the gift of Christ's love.
Thus during June we honor saints such as St. Boniface (also known as St. Winfrid), the patron of brewers, and St. Botulph of Ikenhoe, the patron of agricultural workers. And June 29 is the feast of the Solemnity of the Apostles, Sts. Peter and Paul; but did you know that the persecution and martyrdom of these two great saints are traditionally symbolized by the checkered fritillary, a "nodding, blood-red flower"? This is the kind of detail that makes "A Catholic Gardener's Spiritual Almanac" so engaging.
The June chapter closes with several practical tips on early summer gardening, including how to manage root-bound potted plants that you wish to transplant into the garden to fill bare holes left by winterkill or spring bulbs now gone dormant. For the more ambitious, there's even a detailed plan for how to create a home garden with the theme of the Stations of the Cross.