Let’s face it, as a writer and editor, I’m a book nerd. So it should come as no surprise that I love giving books as presents for Christmas. In that spirit, I’m going to recommend ten books that would make a great gift for the wildlife gardener in your life. Without further ado, here they are!

1. “Bringing Nature Home” by Douglas W. Tallamy: In this influential book, Tallamy emphasizes the importance of native plants in supporting local ecosystems. Tallamy is rightfully recognized as a leader in the push to use native plants in our gardens to help pollinators and other wildlife.
2. “The Wildlife-Friendly Vegetable Gardener” by Tammi Hartung: Discover how to balance growing your own vegetables and providing a welcoming environment for wildlife. Hartung offers practical tips for integrating wildlife-friendly practices into your vegetable garden.
3. “Planting: A New Perspective” by Piet Oudolf and Noel Kingsbury: Dive into the world of perennial plantings with Oudolf and Kingsbury. This book explores the beauty of naturalistic plantings and how they can attract and sustain a wide variety of wildlife.
4. “Attracting Native Pollinators” by The Xerces Society: This guide from The Xerces Society provides valuable insights into creating habitats that support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators through plant selection and garden design. Help out this important organization with a direct donation while you’re on their website.
5. “Inviting Pollinators and Other Wildlife Into Your Garden” by Shaun McCoshum: Explore Shaun McCoshum’s insights into creating a garden that specifically invites pollinators and other wildlife. Learn about the essential elements and practices for making your garden a thriving ecosystem. If you’re looking for inspiration on how to improve your landscape, this book will be enormously helpful. If you live in the Southwest, you’ll be pleased to find a lot of information specifically for you, although McCoshum’s information is applicable anywhere in the U.S. (Disclosure: Sean is a friend and a stellar human being. I can’t recommend his book enough.)
6. “The Humane Gardener” by Nancy Lawson: Lawson challenges traditional notions of a “perfect” garden and encourages a compassionate approach to gardening. Learn how small changes in your gardening practices can make a big difference for wildlife.
7. “The Bee-Friendly Garden” by Kate Frey and Gretchen LeBuhn: Bees are essential pollinators, and this book provides practical advice on creating a garden that attracts and sustains these crucial insects. Explore plant choices, nesting options, and other bee-friendly practices.
8. “Noah’s Garden: Restoring the Ecology of Our Own Backyards” by Sara Bonnett Stein: Stein shares her journey of transforming a conventional garden into a thriving ecosystem. Gain inspiration from her story and learn how to bring ecological balance to your own backyard.
9. “Garden Revolution” by Larry Weaner and Thomas Christopher: Weaner and Christopher challenge traditional gardening practices and advocate for a more dynamic, naturalistic approach.
10. “The Living Landscape” by Rick Darke and Doug Tallamy: A collaboration with Doug Tallamy, Darke explores the concept of a living landscape that seamlessly blends human needs with the needs of wildlife.

Winter is the perfect time to read these ten books, providing plenty of inspiration for spring!