More than 7 million people live in this verdant state where the dogwoods bloom like nowhere else in the country. Yet gardening in Virginia's diverse climates and soil conditions can be a challenge. Master gardener Donna Williamson's down-to-earth approach cuts through the nonsense and presents good information that is proven to work with Virginia's specific soil and climatic concerns. She helps people stay close to nature and the basic principles of gardening so that they can make better choices, have more success, and find more joy in their little patch of paradise. The low-maintenance approach suits most gardeners today, especially as so many demands on our time might otherwise crowd gardening from our lives.