~ AUTHOR INTERVIEW, BOOK
SPOTLIGHT & GIVEAWAY ~
-- 'PERENNIALS: THRIVING FLOWER
GARDENS IN EVERY TYPE OF LIGHT'
BY CEDAR FORT AUTHOR NEDRA SECRIST --
Master Gardener Nedra Secrist is a retired schoolteacher who teaches gardening seminars at libraries, churches, garden clubs, and civic groups. She has been growing perennials for over fifty years. She and her husband own Secrist Gardens, a home-based perennial nursery with locations in Brigham City, Utah, and St. Charles, Idaho. She uses 'green' gardening methods and hands-on training courses to help gardeners succeed.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
June: Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Nedra. Tell us a little about yourself.
Nedra: Hi, My name is Nedra Secrist. I’m both a teacher and a gardener. As the saying goes, "Once a teacher always a teacher." Kids and flowers are God’s most perfect creations, and I’ve been blessed to live and work with these things I love.
June: You have a lovely outlook on your life's passions, Nedra.
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June: What is your earliest memory of working in a garden?
Nedra: My earliest memories of gardening are helping my Dad on our farms in western Tremonton, Utah. I’m the oldest of six children so I was lucky enough to be Dad’s son and he taught that if you wanted something, roll up those shirtsleeves and get to work. When my husband, Donrey, my partner of 65 years now, proposed marriage I replied: "Only if you promise I won’t have to live on a farm." Now he laughs as he gazes at our unending perennial flowerbeds and teases, "You’re just a frustrated farm girl."
June: What is your earliest memory of working in a garden?
Nedra: My earliest memories of gardening are helping my Dad on our farms in western Tremonton, Utah. I’m the oldest of six children so I was lucky enough to be Dad’s son and he taught that if you wanted something, roll up those shirtsleeves and get to work. When my husband, Donrey, my partner of 65 years now, proposed marriage I replied: "Only if you promise I won’t have to live on a farm." Now he laughs as he gazes at our unending perennial flowerbeds and teases, "You’re just a frustrated farm girl."
June: What a blessing to learn to love and appreciate gardening beside your father.
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June: Please tell us a little about how you selected which flowers to include in this book and how you organized the information in the book.
Nedra: The flowers in both books were chosen by hands-on growing situations of what works. If they grew in the high mountain valleys with cold winters, hot dry summers, wildlife neighbors, and the poorest of alkaline soils plus water they belonged in the books. Perennials with long-lives, excellent foliage, deer resistance qualities and a preference for alkaline soils are also necessary qualities to belong in the books.
Nedra: The flowers in both books were chosen by hands-on growing situations of what works. If they grew in the high mountain valleys with cold winters, hot dry summers, wildlife neighbors, and the poorest of alkaline soils plus water they belonged in the books. Perennials with long-lives, excellent foliage, deer resistance qualities and a preference for alkaline soils are also necessary qualities to belong in the books.
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June: Please share with us what type of research you did for your book.
Nedra: My husband and I have gardened together for over 65 years in both Utah and Idaho, and we know what grows here. Our children and grandchildren are avid gardeners and I felt it was important to get our gardening knowledge in writing. There has been a need in this area for this type of enjoyable reference material for a long time, and I’m pleased the information is now available.
June: Please share with us what type of research you did for your book.
Nedra: My husband and I have gardened together for over 65 years in both Utah and Idaho, and we know what grows here. Our children and grandchildren are avid gardeners and I felt it was important to get our gardening knowledge in writing. There has been a need in this area for this type of enjoyable reference material for a long time, and I’m pleased the information is now available.
June: I'm certain gardeners in Utah and Idaho appreciate having your personal knowledge and expertise in print for their own reference and enjoyment!
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June: Please tell us about your first publication, 'Powerful Perennials: Enduring Flower Gardens That Thrive in Any Climate' published in 2015, and how it relates to your newest release.
Nedra: The connection between my first book, 'Powerful Perennials', and 'Perennials and Light' is that they complete and complement each other. There is so much to teach to ensure success that one book was not adequate!
Nedra: The connection between my first book, 'Powerful Perennials', and 'Perennials and Light' is that they complete and complement each other. There is so much to teach to ensure success that one book was not adequate!
June: Thanks for taking the time to answer this garden-lover's questions and for sharing your expertise with my readers. Best wishes on your gardening and writing endeavors, Nedra.
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http://secristgardens.com
http://powerfulperennials.com
https://www.facebook.com/PowerfulPerennials/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11661896.Nedra_Secrist
https://www.bookpeopleofmoscow.com/
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ABOUT THE BOOK:
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Learn to work with the light in your yard to create gorgeous displays for shady spots or take advantage of the hot afternoon sun. Master gardener Nedra Secrist will teach you how to pick the right plants for any spot so your garden can thrive. Spend less time maintaining your garden and more time enjoying its abundant beauty.
BOOK BUY LINKS:
Barnes & Noble
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GIVEAWAY: The publisher, Cedar Fort Inc., is giving away two e-format copies of Nedra's book to two lucky US or International winners! Please enter to win a copy of this colorful, informative book by using the Rafflecopter entry form below. {Must be over 18 years of age to enter.}
a Rafflecopter giveaway
-- Thursday, April 12th: Review of Author Tracie Peterson's newest release, 'In Places Hidden'. Bethany House Blog Tour.
-- Friday, April 13th: Book Spotlight and Snippet for 'A Place Called Hope'. SLB Tours.
-- Monday, April 16th: Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday Post: TBA.
-- Tuesday, April 17th: 'Julie' by Author Catherine Marshall. Book Blitz Tour hosted by JustRead Publicity. Includes a book spotlight, excerpt, and giveaway!
-- Wednesday, April 18th: 'Better With You' by Author Rachel John. Promo Post hosted by I Am A Reader. Includes a giveaway!
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
COMING UP SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':-- Thursday, April 12th: Review of Author Tracie Peterson's newest release, 'In Places Hidden'. Bethany House Blog Tour.
-- Friday, April 13th: Book Spotlight and Snippet for 'A Place Called Hope'. SLB Tours.
-- Monday, April 16th: Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday Post: TBA.
-- Tuesday, April 17th: 'Julie' by Author Catherine Marshall. Book Blitz Tour hosted by JustRead Publicity. Includes a book spotlight, excerpt, and giveaway!
-- Wednesday, April 18th: 'Better With You' by Author Rachel John. Promo Post hosted by I Am A Reader. Includes a giveaway!
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What a delightful post! I have been studying the light for my gardens this year especially because we had some major pruning done last fall. Lovely books.
ReplyDeleteGreetings, Mardell ~ Thank you for your kind words about the post and these books. I love the cover art for both of Nedra's book. I hope you'll visit 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic' again soon. Best wishes, June
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