Since we’re in Newfoundland this week on our culinary journey, we also wanted to introduce you to Dawn Baker’s My Island Garden: Ornamental Gardening in Atlantic Canada, a heartfelt, informative, and visually stunning celebration of east coast gardening. Written and illustrated by Baker herself, this book is a vibrant blend of personal gardening memoir and practical how-to guide, tailored to the unique challenges and delights of growing ornamental plants in Atlantic Canada.
Dawn Baker has been creating art and writing books for kids since the early ’90s, and she’s been passionate about gardening even longer—since 1988. She studied education and library science at Memorial University, and over the years, she’s been involved in all kinds of creative and literary projects. My Island Garden: Ornamental Gardening in Atlantic Canada is her fifteenth book with Flanker Press, where she’s either written, illustrated, or done both. Oh—and her love of gardening paid off in 2003 when her garden won Canadian Gardener’s Garden of the Year award for Beautiful Beds and Borders!
Baker’s voice is as warm and welcoming as a June breeze, drawing readers into her beloved Gander, Newfoundland garden. Her writing is rich with enthusiasm, peppered with humour, personal anecdotes, and a deep respect for the rhythms of nature. She doesn’t just list plants—she introduces them like old friends, each with its own backstory, quirks, and place in her garden. Whether it’s the charming “Bunny Tail Grass” or the radiant “Solenia Apricot” begonia, every entry is brought to life with her firsthand knowledge and artistic eye.
The section on shrubs and trees includes some fruit trees like pear and cherry. As the summer heats up, serve this cocktail – with or without alcohol – the Sour Cherry Gin Slings will be a hit with everyone. Find it in our Recipe section.
What makes My Island Garden unique is its regional relevance. Gardeners in Atlantic Canada will nod in agreement at her tales of late springs, salty winds, and unexpected frosts—and they’ll find practical tips on how to thrive in spite of them. Baker’s “Game Changers” section offers invaluable advice, from winter sowing to the “Chelsea Chop,” and her glossary is perfect for beginners.
But this book isn’t just functional—it’s beautiful. Baker’s own illustrations and photographs give the book a lush, personal touch that matches her inviting writing style. Every page reflects her love for gardening as an act of both creativity and care. Get your copy at https://flankerpress.com/product/my-island-garden or win this handy guide in our Giveaway section.
My Island Garden is more than a gardening book—it’s a love letter to Atlantic soil, sea air, and the quiet joy of growing something beautiful. For seasoned gardeners and curious newcomers alike, this book is sure to inspire and inform, all while planting a little more hope with every page.
Contents and images used with permission by Flanker Press. https://flankerpress.com/product/my-island-garden
