Finally! Secrets of Southern Gardening: New Book Reveals Pro Tips That Actually Work
A team of professional horticulturists show you how to deal with heat and humidity
It's been quite a journey from publishing with a major press to taking complete control and going the self-published route.
Secrets of Southern Gardening: Pro-Tips for Success is being printed right now and will be ready this August.
At one point, I honestly doubted this would come together. Unlike all my other books, this one is 100% self-published (though dozens of friends helped make it happen!).
I believe it's the most useful, most widely accessible book I've ever written. A reviewer recently asked me why I didn't write this book first, 12 years ago.
Why This Book Matters More Than Ever
If you'd like to pre-order, please do so on our website—that way, Tom, Trish, and our summer interns will personally pack your book and mail it directly to you with my messy signature.
I love the cover that my great friends Rebecca and Gene (who've both worked in publishing for decades) helped me create. Mark Albertin's photograph perfectly captures the essence of our farm and the South itself. And Marc Cardwell’s layout makes the book into something you can write in, make your own notes in and take outside as a guidebook.
People keep asking if we painted those yellow streaks on the barn door. Nope—that's real algae and natural fading. I think the door is perfect. Well, not too perfect, not too clean or fancy, but rather an invitation into the real, wonderfully messy world of Southern horticulture.
The Book That Unlocks Southern Gardening's Best-Kept Secrets. Here’s the Press Release:
You're getting this announcement before the press release goes out, so if you know any journalists, bookshops, or museum shops who should receive a direct email, please let me know.
Beech Island, S.C. – The South presents arguably the most challenging growing conditions for gardeners in America. Between relentless pests, unpredictable soil quality, crushing heat, and suffocating humidity, Southern climates can exact a serious emotional toll on aspiring green thumbs.
But what if someone finally cracked the code?
Renowned plantsman Augustus Jenks Farmer III has just completed Secrets of Southern Gardening: Pro Tips for Success—a comprehensive guide that unlocks the hidden truths of gardening in this notoriously fickle region.
Why Farmer's Expertise Matters
As former founding curator of Riverbanks Zoo Botanical Garden and current owner of The Funky Little Flower Farm, Farmer has designed and executed hundreds of successful gardens from Charleston to New Orleans—even tackling a college campus in Haiti.
Secrets of Southern Gardening distills over 30 years of garden curation experience while tapping the brightest minds in Southern horticulture. It’s 16 chapters include a hundred color photos, practical charts, diagrams, and checklists designed to save aspiring gardeners time, money, work, and frustration.
The Southern Gardening Reality Check
"For Southerners who are new to gardening and gardeners who are new to the South, the learning curve can be brutal," Farmer explains. "Many years in and thousands of dollars later, some folks just throw up their hands. Myths and memes about gardening can lead to such disappointment."
According to Farmer, his new book serves as a field guide for Horticulture 101, featuring practical approaches to gardening at all levels, scales, and sizes.
What Makes This Guide Revolutionary
Secrets of Southern Gardening: Pro Tips for Success emphasizes the less glamorous yet essential elements of successful gardening:
Drainage solutions that actually work
Soil quality improvement strategies
Effective pest management approaches
In a departure from most Southern gardening guides, Farmer addresses the year-long gardening cycle in six seasons rather than the traditional four. An extensive garden design section covers everything from compact urban yards to large, upscale marsh-front homes.
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
"I've had amazing mentors throughout my career," Farmer reflects. "I've also had once-in-a-lifetime opportunities with Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Darla Moore Botanical Gardens, and Reynolda Garden at Wake Forest University. I want to share what I've learned and what my mentors know with people who are excited about gardening—and keep that excitement alive by demystifying the basics of gardening in the South."
The book features insights from top experts, including magnolia and pruning specialist Dr. Kevin Paris and University of Tennessee horticulturist Carol Reese.
A Philosophy Rooted in Respect
"We need more gardeners," Farmer emphasizes. "I want people to succeed and find beauty, food, and satisfaction through plants. And I want folks to know you can do it without destroying the Southern environment that we're innately drawn to."
As a tenth-generation farmer whose family tree includes a great-uncle who served as head horticulturist for the South Carolina State House and another who ran a peat moss mine, Farmer brings deep generational wisdom. His grandfather, an artist, grew flowers specifically for his still-life paintings.
Farmer's gardening philosophy advocates for working with the land's natural qualities rather than dominating it with artificial perfection. His chapter on turf grass promotes an organic approach that can be completely pesticide-free, safe for both pets and children.
Learn more and pre-order at jenksfarmer.com
Other Books by Augustus Jenks Farmer III:
Garden Disruptors: The Rebel Misfits Who Turned Southern Horticulture on Its Head (2024)
Crinum: Unearthing the History and Culture of the Biggest Bulbs in the World(2022)
Funky Little Flower Farm (2019)
Deep-Rooted Wisdom: Skills and Stories from Generations of Gardeners (2014)
Contact: Jenks Farmer | (843) 598-3024 | farmersecrets@me.com
Ordered! Can't Wait!
So excited for you Jenks! This book is packed with must-know info if you garden in the South.