As gardeners, we play alongside Nature, taking turns sculpting the landscape and cultivating life. When winter comes around, we get cozy, curl up with warm drinks and greet her in thicker jackets—and through books.

Flipping through plant catalogs is a hoot, and how-to gardening books are informative, but we can use this downtime to expand our understanding through books that dive into topics like permaculture, homesteading, herbal medicine and more. These are some of my favorites:

“Second Nature: A Gardener’s Education” by Michael Pollan

In “Second Nature,” Pollan explores his relationship with his garden and Nature, blurring the line between the two. He weaves personal experiences together with research in a collection of essays that reads like a journey. This book is transformational and inspiring.

“Paradise Lot: Two Plant Geeks, One-tenth of an Acre and the Making of an Edible Garden Oasis in the City” by Eric Toensmeier and Jonathan Bates

Toensmeier and Bates set out to transform a suburban backyard into a fertile food forest. The two communicate their interest in botany in a modest, familiar way, and the passion for their bountiful dream garden spills off the page. Full of practical information, “Paradise Lot” is sure to spark the imagination.

“The Resilient Farm and Homestead: An Innovative Permaculture and Whole Systems Design” by Ben Falk

For Falk, regeneration and resilience are key to creating ecosystems that yield intergenerational value. Through his work at a research farm, Falk seeks real-life answers to that question by mimicking Nature and shares his findings with the world. Part manual, part manifesto, “The Resilient Farm” will empower you with hands-on skills, bigger ways of thinking and personal connection to the land.

“Worms Eat My Garbage” by Mary Appelhof

Waste doesn’t exist in nature. We created it. “Worm woman” Mary Appelhof’s brief and insightful book is a guide to maintaining a home vermicomposting system—that is, turning food scraps into rich organic matter using worms. "Worms” is a quick read, interesting even for those not sold on vermicompost (though she’s very convincing). She appreciates the fantastic abilities of the smallest creatures, inviting us to appreciate the beauty of life itself.

The following recommendation comes from Margie Wilson with Grand Valley Books:

“Xeriscape Plant Guide: 100 Water-Wise Plants for Gardens and Landscapes” by Rob Proctor and Denver Water

This guide offers many practical suggestions for beautiful alternatives to grass lawns. Use of native plants that require less maintenance and minimal water are presented in full color, along with references to a multitude of trees, perennials, annuals, vines, ground cover, native grasses and shade plants suitable for our climate.