I rarely go to bookstores anymore. I would if it was easier, but they are all at least a 20 minute drive from my home, so sadly, online resources tend to prevail.  What I miss most about bookstores though is the joy of wandering in – perhaps looking for one thing – but wandering out with something entirely different.  I miss perusing and discovering readings that I never even knew I wanted.

Working with Lowes on this series has put me in my local hardware store a lot more than I would have otherwise visited, and there have been side effects.  Namely new discoveries in the book and magazine realm (Lowes has a well stocked, all-DIY and gardening bookshelf).  You may not think of Lowes as a good book resource, but I assure you there are some real treasures to be discovered in the selection that is sold there.  It may not be a full on coffee swilling library type experience, but I nonetheless discovered two items there that are informing my spring planting plans.

The Simple Things  Magazine is hands down my favorite magazine of the moment.  It’s isn’t just gardening tips that I get in this magazine, but also great lifestyle stories, interesting artisans, seasonal recipes, and a taste of the British life that I often yearn to go back to.  Since discovering it at Lowes last year (which is the only place I know that stocks it), I have been trying to collect back issues (I love it that much) and I have been just as inspired by old stories as the those in the latest issue.

A sweet little story in the most recent spring issue suggest using wine bottle corks (with cocktail skewers inserted as a post) as plant labels.  (you write with marker on the cork). I’m trying that.  This of course sits beside a full page filled with information about 9 different snail varieties….I ask you what lifestyle magazine dedicates a whole beautifully styled page to snails? (or in another issue it was beetles, and another was moths.)  I don’t even know of an actual garden magazine that takes such a holistic and well styled approach.

I also thumbed through Niki Jabbour’s book about extending the vegetable garden right into winter.  I didn’t think I needed that book — until I saw it.   Just as soon as this icy landscape dissolves into mud, I’ll slip on the boots and get busy making Niki  inspired improvements that will carry me through with fresh growings to at least Thanksgiving.

What are you reading this spring? Anything interesting?

images by rochelle greayer

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Lowes.  This is a series that I am doing through the end of the year.   I am not an employee of Lowes and all opinions are my own.  See the other posts in this series.