Druid Garden, The
A gardening book for the spiritually minded, based on Celtic, ancient traditions and modern ecological practices.
A gardening book for the spiritually minded, based on Celtic, ancient traditions and modern ecological practices.
A gardening book for the spiritually minded, based on Celtic, ancient traditions and modern ecological practices.
Environmental conservation & protection, Paganism & neo-paganism, Techniques
In this age of high technology, GM foods and industrial farming, many people are looking for an alternative way to live, that honours and respects the natural world. The Druid Garden mines the deep seem of gardening through the ages and alternative modern developments, to bring the reader a method of gardening that is truly in touch with the Earth. Drawing on the knowledge of the Druids and other ancient cultures, Luke Eastwood has created a practical guide to organic and natural methods that are proven to work.
Advice for the total beginner, through to the experienced, ties together Druidic wisdom with the best of gardening knowledge. Part of this book is a handy alphabetical guide to trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, giving a wealth of information on history and folklore, as well as practical details on plant care and growing from seed. This book is invaluable to anyone serious about organic gardening or those simply interested in how things were done in former ages, Celtic Europe in particular.
Click on the circles below to see more reviews
Fortunately Luke Eastwood is both a Druid and a master gardener so he is the perfect author here for a book which is part organic gardening primer and part introduction to Druidry. We know very little about ancient Druid practice but we can be confident that they used plants extensively. There are a few enchanting drawings here but it’s mostly text and the book is large and full of information. The book was finished during lockdown and the author is aware that this is now a perfect time for transformation in society. The key selling point is that many books on gardening pay lip service to the sacred but for Luke as a Druid the sacred is a literal and real concept, and this book will be an invaluable manual for making your garden a place of healing and redemption. It’s also packed with garden history and with stories and folklore. ~ Cygnus Review, https://cygnusreview.com/products/druid-garden-by-luke-eastwood
This might be one of the most comprehensive gardening books I have ever read. Luke has written a masterly book on everything you might possibly need to know inspired by his extensive knowledge of druidry. Even if you have no interest in druid culture at all this book is still a fantastic gardening book and the themes within it are relevant and important. This is a book about connecting with nature to create a better garden and environment for ourselves. ~ The Blackberry Garden, https://www.blackberrygarden.co.uk/2021/04/book-review-druid-garden-by-luke.html
This is a fine production, nicely typeset and well laid out with elegant line drawings by Elena Danaan. Luke shares his narrative on druidry and the destructive ecological changes that are the result of the growth of the human population and the industrial revolu- tion. He advocates a biodiversity-friendly approach to the garden. This is his “attempt to unite two disciplines -Druidism and Gardening”. ~ Touchstone Magazine
A gardening book for the spiritually minded, drawing on the extant knowledge of the Druid tradition, permaculture, organic gardening and biodynamics.Far more than giving details of spiritual aspects of trees and plants, it shows the reader how to garden in a spiritual manner that is in tune with the planet, starting from the absolute basic first principles. This book also gives a handy alphabetical guide to historical and spiritual aspects of trees and plants of the Celtic world and how to grow them successfully. Explores everything from composting to planting,a must-read for seasoned gardeners and curious beginners. ~ OM Yoga & Lifestype, OM magazine
The Druid Garden acts also as an interesting and useful reference book for any horticultural collection. It gives as detailed information on plant cultivation as many other garden manuals, albeit centering on those species which Western European Celts would have more readily encountered. There are theoretical insights and practical methodologies for such things as plant propagation, soil improvement and compost production. The additional bonus really is the symbolic and alternative therapy applications of the plants included. The Druid Garden serves as a marvellous starting point for the exploration of the variety of subjects it touches upon. I’ve certainly been busy researching topics Eastwood mentions since I first opened the book, and am seeing all gardens in a spiritually reinvigorated way now. ~ Kevin W Gelder, https://www.kevinwgelder.com/the-druid-garden-by-luke-eastwood/
Subtitled “Gardening for a better future, inspired by the ancients”, author Luke Eastwood says of The Druid Garden, “This book is my attempt to impart knowledge that will help unite two disciplines that may appear to have little overlap”. Although it is also true, I think, that many people interested in a spiritual path are also interested in Nature and ecology. Beginning with information about the Druid Revival - when and why - together with the other societal changes which ran alongside including industrialisation and chemical fertilisation, the book then moves onto gardening through the ages, with historical and archaeological evidence on how and why agriculture and gardening began. With great research, fantastic theoretical knowledge and excellent practical tips from his own hands-on experience The Druid Garden has information on everything you need to begin or enhance your own gardening in a natural and organic way. With chapters on composting, trees (with information on ‘uses’ and cultivation), shrubs and herbaceous plants (ditto), growing your own fruit and veg. and the very practical dealing with pests and diseases, to the Druidic ritual ingestion of plants and growing with the four elements, this book has something for everyone. Eastwood states that “we still have the opportunity to turn things around by working with nature instead of against her”. And if you are interested in gardening in accordance with nature The Druid Garden is a great book for you, whether or not you follow a Druidic path. Equally if Druidry appeals to you, you will find much of interest in this book. ~ Indie Shaman Magazine
Luke Eastwood’s The Druid Garden brings together spirituality, philosophy, sustainability and gardening. It’s a timely title that many people may find helpful. If you’ve taken up gardening in response to lockdowns, the inspiration in this book may be exactly what you need. It’s unusual to see so much tree content in a book on gardening, and that’s going to strike some chords with Druid readers. Luke is perhaps best known for his Druid’s Primer – a well received book that brings together the ancient material on Druidry currently available to it. Even though I don’t have a garden, I found it a good and interesting read and it gave me a lot of ideas about the garden I one day hope to have. I think it’s a really good example of a way in which we can bring druid philosophy to modern activities in a meaningful way. ~ Druidlife blog, https://druidlife.wordpress.com/2020/11/08/the-druid-garden-a-review/
In this age of high technology, GM foods and industrial farming, many people are looking for an alternative way to live, that honours and respects the natural world. The Druid Garden mines the deep seem of gardening through the ages and alternative modern developments, to bring the reader a method of gardening that is truly in touch with the Earth. Drawing on the knowledge of the Druids and other ancient cultures, Luke Eastwood has created a practical guide to organic and natural methods that are proven to work. Advice for the total beginner, through to the experienced, ties together Druidic wisdom with the best of gardening knowledge. Part of this book is a handy alphabetical guide to trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, giving a wealth of information on history and folklore, as well as practical details on plant care and growing from seed.This book is invaluable to anyone serious about organic gardening or those simply interested in how things were done in former ages, Celtic Europe in particular. ~ The Pagan and the Pen , https://thepaganandthepen.wordpress.com/2020/10/23/the-druid-garden/
I have just finished reading this book and it was an extraordinary experience. I was interested in Druidry and in gardening prior to this, but now I am armed with much more information, primarily about gardening. Luke Eastwood has written other books regarding Druidry, including The Druid Primer, which on the strength of this book look well worth seeking out. The Druid Garden really does act as a gardener’s bible; covering what appears to be literally everything that you need to know including tree, plants, herbs, weeds and fruit. There are some good descriptions of plant biology and how to construct certain kinds of garden. Luke Eastwood goes quite heavily into the medicinal properties of certain plants and what they do. There are touches of Druidry and Irish lore here and there, which is quite nice and fits into gardening quite organically. Indeed the organic, holistic approach to the environment is emphasised here as the author advocates considering all aspects of what you are doing and the effect which you are having. Important forward thinking for the future. If you are involved in gardening in any way I think you will find this to be a very informative read. If, like me, you know nothing or very little, your eyes will be truly opened and this book will prove to be essential. There is a great deal of practical advice to get you started; experience and getting your hands dirty will teach you a lot. And if you are interested in trees, then working with this book will greatly enhance your experience. Indeed, you will come to better understand all plant life and the cycles of nature as you work with the author’s guidance. ~ The Druid Network, https://druidnetwork.org/review/the-druid-garden-by-luke-eastwood/
interest in gardening and growing one's own food, already becoming more popular, has found a huge resurgence of interest during the Coronavirus pandemic. There are many contemporary gardening books emerging; but what marks Eastwood's book out is its holistic nature. It's authoritative, and both fascinating and comprehensive, and there can't be many gardening manuals that include such richly eloquent and instructive sections on the history and philosophy of gardening and the nature of soil structure without it ever becoming boring. Combine these, as Eastwood has done, with wide-ranging expertise in the science and praxis of gardening with such a straightforward and clear exploration of the intertwining of the sacred aspects of soil and our working in harmony with it, not to mention the Celtic myths behind many of the plants he lists, and you have an unusual and informative book. The idea of blessings or prayers common to those practising druidry, and which could come across as twee or New-Agey in unskilled hands, fits perfectly into the picture of gardening as it could and arguably should be that Eastwood portrays. ~ Roselle Angwin, author of 'Riding the Dragon – myth & the inner journey' and 'A Spell in the Forest – tongues in trees'
Having begun to reconnect with my garden I was delighted to discover Luke Eastwood’s latest book, The Druid’s Garden. In the past when working with ower essences I used to connect with plants spiritually and energetically to make my own essences. Reading Luke’s chapter on Connecting with Plants reawakened this element of my practice, one that in the intervening time had been set aside. I am now looking forward to spending time with The Druid’s Garden and seeing if there are other aspects of my shamanic practice that are reawakened or new aspects of my practice that may come into being. ~ Yvonne Ryves, author of Web Of Life
In this magical book, ”The Druid Garden”, Luke Eastwood has gathered the essential ,wisdom and knowledge required specifically to assist all those, the new ,generation of gardeners, who wish to learn more about the art of grown trees and plants by tapping into the timeless wisdom and knowledge of our magical past. ~ Mattheus Wagter, Former Chairman of the Biodynamic Association of Ireland
The Druid Garden is full of practical wisdom and guidance. Luke Eastwood’s extensive knowledge and insights into both Druidry and Gardening prove to be deeply enriching to both. The book offers the reader a path back to a harmonious relationship with nature, the soil and food production. With an historical overview and an extensive list of plants and trees, The Druid Garden explores everything from the transformative magic of composting, to tips for planning, planting and on-going care. This engaging and informative book is a must for both the seasoned gardener and the curious beginner keen to embrace both the sustainable and the sacred in their gardens. ~ Philip Carr-Gomm, author of Druid Mysteries
The Druid Garden is a fascinating journey into the heart of human interaction with the natural world. It deftly weaves together history, practice, and spirituality into a cohesive whole. An essential aid both for those seeking practical advice for growing a garden and those seeking a more harmonious approach to the world around them. ~ Morgan Daimler, bestselling author of A New Dictionary of Fairies and Where the Hawthorn Grows
Luke Eastwood’s book The Druid Gardener is an authoritative and comprehensive approach to the subject. The book begins with the big picture, an exploration of the history of gardens, before focusing the reader on the many different layers of soil that make up the ground beneath our feet. Practicalities of gardening, such as planting, creating ponds, even keeping fowls and bees, are combined with spiritual elements; the section about how to connect with the plants in your garden is particularly insightful. Eastwood goes on to provide information on a range of trees, shrubs and herbs found in Celtic culture, exploring the practicalities of how to grow them but also considering historical uses and folklore. There is even a rotation plan for your garden crops and ethical ways of dealing with pests. This is an invaluable resource for both the novice and more experienced gardener alike. ~ Andrew Anderson, author of The Ritual of Writing and Pagan Portals: Artio and Artaois
It is rare to find a gardening book that provides extensive practical information while clearly honouring the sacred. In The Druid Garden, Luke Eastwood manages to do exactly that. Using easily accessible language, he provides us with a comprehensive guide to gardening imbued with innate spirituality and environmentalism. A master gardener and Druid, Luke blends ancient wisdom with hands-on experience and shows how this knowledge can be used by modern day gardeners for the benefit of the Earth and all creation. Suitable for beginners as well as experienced gardeners, this book is packed with valuable information and is a precious gift for our world in these times. ~ Carole Guyett, author of Sacred Plant Initiations
Combining history, philosophy, folklore, science and sustainability, this book shows you how to bring Druidic principles into your garden. For me, this is a perfect demonstration of how to be a modern Druid. ~ Nimue Brown, author of Pagan Planet & Druidry And The Future
A brilliant 'go-to' book to assist your journey into the healing and spiritual aspects of the natural world through gardening. Practical yet poetic, not just for Druids! ~ Emma Farrell, founder of Plant Consciousness