Here is the perfect present for any gardener or would-be gardener on your list, if you live in the Midwest.  Gardeners don’t have to wait till the ground thaws to dig into gardening.  The Wisconsin Garden Journal will help them get on track for a great garden starting with the first week of January.

...Sophie (the cat we are fostering for a friend) doesn't have to worry about a holiday shopping list.

This is a power-packed weekly engagement calendar aimed at gardeners includes monthly task lists, weekly tips, a planting guide, and extensive reference material for gardening in Zones 3, 4 and 5.

The 2011 edition focuses on plants that are both ornamental and edible.  Talk about win-win!

Truth in advertising – I became a co-editor of this journal a few months ago, and am hard at work on the 2012 edition, which makes me appreciate this volume even more.  But before I had anything to do with it – before I even started my Master Gardener Volunteer training– I picked up a copy in the UW Arboretum book store and was totally impressed by its beauty and practicality.

This is my first opportunity to take on the tasks of an editor, and it’s an honor and an education to be working on the Wisconsin Garden Journal.

This journal has been put together as an act of gardening fervor by the volunteer effort of countless members of the Madison chapter of the Master Gardener Volunteer program along with contributions from member of other chapters throughout the state  and horticultural experts for 16 years now.

The photos and drawings are superb!

As these journals add up on your bookshelf, they will create your own record of weather and plantings – what worked for you and what didn’t.  If you’re like me, you think you will always remember which marigolds went crazy in that sunny patch, and the name of that disappointing kale crop, but a year of two later…..

Also, the funds raised by this volunteer effort go to support area community garden projects.  It becomes a case of gardeners helping gardeners helping gardeners, and on and on.

Proceeds from the sales of the Wisconsin Garden Journal have funneled more than $35,000 to  community garden projects and programs in the Dane County area.   This journal will not only help make your garden better — it helps make area gardening better.

So give someone you love a gift that truly goes on giving.

3 WAYS TO GET YOUR JOURNAL:

The Wisconsin Garden Journal retails for $14.95.

1.  You can order a copy on line here.

2.  You can find a list of retailers throughout the state who sell the journal here.

3.  To order your copy by mail, send a check for $14.95 plus $3 shipping for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy ordered (made payable to MAMGA) along with your name, address, phone number and email address, to:

MAMGA Garden Journal
P.O. Box 259318
Madison, WI 53725

If you have used the Wisconsin Garden Journal in the past, I’d love to hear from you.  As a new co-editor, I’m all ears.