Container Gardening Complete has been one of the most ambitious projects of my career. I learned a lot along the way and had a heck of a good time designing, building, growing, and photographing all the fantastic projects. None of it would have been possible without the help of the great crew of professionals at Cool Springs Press, my supportive family, an amazing group of photogenic friends, and a rock-solid bunch of gardening compadres. To all of you, I give a gigantic, heart-felt thank you!
My editor, Todd Berger, deserves a big dose of gratitude for entrusting me with this project and handing me the reins to run with it. Thank you for answering my many questions and for everything you did to help this book come to fruition. It’s been a pleasure working with you!
To my band of extremely gracious models/friends, Brad and Greta Severson, Bobby and Lisa Standish, Rebecca and Mike Berty, Ron Sims, Susan Washburn, Nora Pickell, Liza Thornton, Kelli Russo, Jackie Simpson, and Hannah Reiff, I raise a glass to you and thank you for your willingness to hold a prolonged pose and dig into a project with energy and enthusiasm—and for wearing long sleeves and pants on some very hot days!
Also, thank you to the good folks at Garden Dreams Urban Farm and Nursery in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, for their contribution to one of the projects featured in this book, the Good Bug Wheelbarrow Garden. Randy and the crew at Soergel Orchards and Garden Center in Wexford, Pennsylvania, deserve the same appreciation for providing me with some of the plants and gorgeous containers found throughout these pages.
Ron Sims was gracious enough to design and build the two woodworking projects featured in the first chapter—the Cedar Planter Box and the Pot Dolly. Thank you, Ron, for your attention to detail, your creative work, your good nature, and for allowing me to feature your designs in these pages.
Thank you to my neighbors and friends, the Kennedys, the Normans, the Washburns, the Seversons, and the Bertys, for allowing me to stage some of the photographs at your homes. And, a big-time hats-off to the many wonderful gardeners who let me come to their gardens and take photographs, including Mary Odom, Anna Singer, Jessica Carson, Robyn Macerelli, Katie Casker, Seth and Sonja Finn, Zolina Cook, Joyce Bolanovich, Jamie Earl, Ilona Yerger (my awesome mom!), and the World’s Best Kitty and Garden Sitter, Liza Thornton.
To Paul Wiegman: I’m going to thank you forever and ever for all you did way back when to help me develop this wonderful little career of mine. Had you not welcomed me into the world of radio all those years ago, things would not be as they are today.
My fabulous business partners at SavvyGardening.com, Niki Jabbour, Amy Andrychowicz, and Tara Nolan, have my utmost appreciation for their professionalism, humor, and friendship. When writing a book, there’s nothing better than having the unfailing support and well-seasoned advice of other authors. You guys rock!
And most importantly, to my husband John and my amazing son Ty: your inspiration, support, and love mean the world to me. Without the two of you, life wouldn’t be nearly as much fun. You’re everything that matters.