A Passion for Gardening: How the British Became a Nation of Gardeners

Ever since man discovered that plants could be eaten, their cultivation has been a necessity. But somewhere along the line it became first an interest and then a pleasure. And as people developed a passion for gardening, those in the business scented the opportunity to offer anything and everything to aid the amateur and professional horticulturist.

How did this happen? Who were the earliest gardening gurus? What were the biggest trends of the 1930s and what happened during the Second World War when the country was urged to “dig for victory”? All these questions (and more) are answered and illustrated with the glorious, delightful and innocently amusing advertisements and literature that appeared as our passion for gardening has increased as the years have passed.

Twigs Way is a gardening historian who has appeared on many gardening programmes on Channel 4 and BBC East Anglia, as well as on local radio. She is the author of a number of books including Digging for Victory; The Wartime Garden; Topiary and Allotments. Foreword by Joe Swift.