The Wellness Garden

The book is filled with beautiful photographs and a lot of information that is delivered in a way that is easy-to-understand. While most books about diet and health seem to be excessively wordy, repetitive and take forever to say anything, this one is a pleasure in that the author has used every single word wisely and yet gives the reader an incredible wealth of the latest information. You’ll read about: CSA’s; collecting rainwater; eating local; composting; vertical gardening; container gardening ; vitamins and antioxidants; raised gardens; vegetables that can be grown in winter; vegetable that can be grown in 30 days or less; health benefits of playing in the soil; improving your soil; and shade tolerant herbs and vegetables. There are charts throughout and a very detailed chart with the nutrition information for fruits and vegetables.

The book continues with exercise and health: how to take a resting heart rate; walking yoga; breathing practice; living mindfully; wellness gardens and walking.


The author wrote this book because she overcame the pain of severe degenerative osteoarthritis by changing her lifestyle and diet. She hoped to help others with what she learned about exercise and an anti-inflammatory diet. I’d say she has succeeded!

A lovely book about gardening that's more than a garden book. This really approaches the garden as the source. The source for food, for exercise, for wellness, and for relaxation. Let's get back to the garden!

This inspiring book combines two things I love - gardening and being in nature - and two things I hate but have to live with - chronic illness/chronic pain and dietary restrictions. Coronado puts all of them together to demonstrate how we can use our love of gardening and nature to combat illness and chronic pain, through growing delicious and healthy organic produce, to using gardening as a form of moderate exercise, and how the fresh air and lovely scents, sounds and views of gardens and nature can relieve stress and help heal. She includes tips on how to modify gardens and techniques to accommodate pain, stiffness and disability, and how to select and use garden tools to reduce soreness and strain. A useful and inspiring book!

The Wellness Garden by Shauna Coronado is filled with tips and guidance I wish I’d received when I was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Changing my diet, taking time to rest and balancing that with exercise are things, together with my mum and homeopath, I worked out as I went along. This book offers great advice on how to shortcut the experimentation and get results quicker. It is full of lovely information on the practicalities of growing our own organic veggie patches and what makes a great veggie. All the advice is given from a place of having walked the journey which makes the book feel authentic and the tasks feel doable. It’s a four out five on the en-JOY-meant scale.

Restful and inspiring. This book provides techniques how to create and interact with a healthy and zen garden.

Fantastic inspiration for those suffering from illness that may benefit from the activity of gardening. Also for those who love to garden but may feel daunted by illness. Beautiful pictures throughout. I will definitely hand sell this.

The Wellness Garden by Shawna Coronado is an invitation to spend more time in our gardens and public green spaces. Shawna lists a ton of obvious and not so obvious health benefits for doing so, whether we actively engage in gardening or just take a stroll in a nearby park. By immersing herself into gardening, she overcame her own struggles with osteoarthritis and she suggests that we all can become healthier and happier by following her example. One part of Shawna's wellness approach is growing your own nutritious food. She gives many examples to do so with beautiful color photographs for inspiration. I love her tips about easily accessible elevated beds and container gardens. Gardening with the right tools, walking,and even doing Yoga outdoors are all opportunities for getting beneficial exercise. I find the chapter on therapeutic gardening in all kinds of health institutions and socializing with like-minded people in innovative and resourceful community gardens most interesting. Overall, the book is filled with very inspiring ideas and wonderful photographs.

The Wellness Garden is a well reference book on how to incorporate personal health and wellness through the use of gardens, whether they be used as a place for physical activity, quiet mindfulness, or a fantastic source of nutrients. The photography throughout is beautiful. I particularly liked the charts on nutrient values on home garden grown veggies. I did find that many chapters are devoted to large scale public gardens which I did not find useful, however there was certainly tips and info for patio gardens or small backyard gardens as well.

This is a very beautifully done essential book for your health , dietary needs and your garden. i found this book and bought it on the spot because it was perfect for information on dealing with my osteoarthritis in a healthy way and helped me find ways to garden once again with joy. l found it the perfect garden companion as well as a wealth of information on wellness I absolutely recommend highly this wonderful book for all who love to garden as well as those that suffer from arthritis. The gardening information will change your enjoyment , of your garden forever. The author has included information on planting, tools and maintenance for those with limitations of movement that are invaluable. The book is a must have for your personal library .
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. It would not download so I bought a copy and am so glad I did.