Stephen Orr

There’s a restorative power to digging in the dirt, and Stephen Orr, our beloved former Editor in Chief, knows his way around a garden. In our March issue, Orr shares artful excerpts from his new book, 'The Gardener’s Mindset' alongside snapshots of his safe space. In his ode to lilacs, mother nature, and third places, his words are a poetic respite for gardeners and non–green thumbs alike. “When I feel overwhelmed by the world, I retreat into my garden, leave my phone in the house, and sink my hands into the earth so that I can connect with all the nonhuman life around me,” Orr writes. Acknowledging the dichotomy of escapism versus healing, he continues, “On the darkest news days, I think it’s acceptable to flee to the flowerbed as an act of self-preservation. It’s a safe space but also a place to rebuild one’s strength before heading back out into society.” Gardening, he reminds us, is a way to tend to our own souls—to reconnect with nature and, in turn, with one another. It builds community between ourselves, the earth we come from, and those around us. Read the full excerpt in our March issue, on stands now. Photos: Stephen Orr, Penguin Random House LLC, Ten Speed Press, Knopf Doubleday, Clarkson Potter, Crown Publishing

Brighter days. Finally it’s here in physical form. After only seeing it as a pdf on my screen for a couple of years, there’s nothing like holding this new book in my hands. I wanted to create a bedside reader based on the garden essay titles I learned so much from as a young gardener. I hope people enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing the essays and taking the photographs. Thank you to @chadjacobsdesign for doing the beautiful illustrations and the @clarksonpotter team for making such a nicely packaged object to hold in your hands. The Gardener’s Mindset is out May 5th and available for pre-orders from your favorite booksellers. #thegardenersmindset

Finally able to grow tulips (no deer)

Spring, finally she arrives

Sending you forget me nots

Groundbreaking

Year 3 in the shade garden

And no one is happier to be back outside than Pokey

First salad of the year from the raised beds. Most of it is overwintered plants: rustica arugula, chervil, pansies, red mustard, bok choy, chives, and shallots. I can’t believe these delicate plants made it through such a tough winter and thigh deep snow. I write about these raised beds (which I call my salad boxes) in my new book The Gardener’s Mindset. #thegardenersmindset

Back at it. Happy spring!

And we’re off!