Gulp...Pre-Sale for My Coffee Table Gardening Book is Finally Here!

Get a behind-the-scenes look at how I found the perfect title for my book—plus a look inside!

The clock was ticking. The book was 80% finished, and somehow, I still didn’t have a title. I kept thinking it would magically come to me... like some divine garden fairy would whisper it in my ear. But nope. Just me, my endless brainstorming, and a growing sense of panic. This is my first book and I wanted it to be perfect.

I had a note on my phone with 20 potential titles—a list I would open, stare at, and hope that one would pop out at me. But every time, it was just... meh. Then, one day, something magical happened.

The “Aha” Moment

I was on the phone with one of the book’s contributors (and one of my dear friends, Nadia), when she shared a story that gave me goosebumps.

While in Ireland, she created a stunning flower mandala with blue hydrangeas in the shape of a heart and sent a blessing for my book into it. (Yes, cue all the emotional feels.) The photo is below.

Not only that—she saved the dried flower and carried it back with her to give to me, so I could carry that energy with me. At this point, I was a puddle of feelings. And in that moment, it hit me: The title needed to be about love.

Drumroll, Please...The title is…

Grown With Love: Inspiring Garden Stories

This coffee table book is a celebration of the transformative power of gardening, featuring stories and beautiful photos from over 50 gardeners around the world. It’s about how gardens can be sanctuaries of healing, purpose, sharing, and connection.

Each chapter invites readers into deeply personal narratives, showcasing how gardening can:

• Heal the body and mind

• Foster community bonds

• Honor cherished memories with loved ones

• Reconnect us with the earth

From sharing home-grown food and flowers to creating peaceful garden retreats to gardening in community with others, these stories illustrate the profound ways gardening can transform lives.

With practical tips and plant recommendations woven throughout, Grown with Love empowers readers to craft their own meaningful garden—one that reflects their personal journey, serves the earth and their community, and nurtures their spirit. Whether you're tending a small balcony garden, a few acres, or have yet to plant a seed, this book will inspire you to dig deeper, plant with intention, and grow a space filled with love and purpose.

And Now…The Cover!

I couldn’t be more thrilled to finally share the book cover! It perfectly captures the magic of a flourishing garden, filled with vibrant flowers, lush greenery, and that undeniable sense of peace and connection that gardening brings.

Since this book is not just about stories but also a visual celebration of gardens and their caretakers, the design had to reflect that beauty. Think of it as the kind of book you’ll want to leave out on your coffee table, ready to flip through whenever you need a little inspiration—or just an excuse to daydream about your next garden project. Take a look below!

And now I’m THRILLED to share that the book is officially available for pre-order!

You can order yours here.

Books ordered during this pre-sale period will come signed and with a special packet of flower seeds sent with love from me to you. Books start shipping in late September.

A peek inside the book

Here’s just a glimpse of the beautiful stories you’ll find inside:

• Kendall shares how gardening helps her navigate life with ADHD—she’s now a Mindful Gardening Coach helping others connect with nature in the Mental Well-Being in the Garden chapter.

• Deana, a ceramic artist, uses plants from her garden to create stunning pieces in her studio—her story appears in the Connection with Creativity chapter.

• Calliope writes about the transformation that happens when incarcerated individuals discover the power and peace of tending a garden, which is featured in the Teaching chapter.

• Alicia, who is living with stage IV cancer, brings flowers from her home garden to brighten the infusion center where she receives treatment—her story is part of the Physical Well-Being in the Garden chapter.

• Natalie brings joy to her community by hosting farm-themed Olympics on her flower farm, which is featured in the Connection with Community chapter.

You can order your copy of Grown with Love here.

Sharing this with you, this wonderful Substack community, is such a highlight for me. I feel like I’ve come to know so many of you and some of the contributors in the book are also part of this Substack community (hi

Camilla Dugonjic

&

Kendall Marie Platt 🌱

!) Please know that from the bottom of my heart, I am incredibly grateful for your support.

So…what do you think of the title and cover? Let me know in the comments! 🌸💚