Tovah Martin

When she isn’t submerged in the garden, Tovah is writing and lecturing—spreading the buzz. Her publications are numerous. Recent books include the award-winning The Garden in Every Sense and Season (2018), The Indestructible Houseplant (2015), The Unexpected Houseplant (2012), and The New Terrarium (2009). One of her earliest books, Tasha Tudor’s Garden (1994) remains a classic. Most recently, she was a lead writer on the international team that authored The Contemporary Garden (Phaidon, 2025).

Freelance magazine writing has been a lifelong passion. Her articles appear in many publications including Old Farmer’s Almanac Garden Guide, Yankee, Flower Magazine, CT Gardener, American Gardener, New England Home, Connecticut Cottages & Gardens, Washington Post, Old House Journal, Milieu, Gardens Illustrated, Martha Stewart Living, and O, the Oprah Magazine as well as Morning Calm (the inflight magazine for Korean Airlines) to mention only a mouthful. She also shares her garden knowledge and communes with fellow gardeners on Public Radio broadcasts.

Lecturing is another passion. She speaks both live and virtually throughout the country and the world sharing her experience, discoveries, adventures, and disasters. The dialogue between gardeners and garden clubs is her lifeblood.

Photography is a lifelong passion. Her lectures and many of her articles are photographed in the field by Tovah. She took all the photos on this site, except her portraits. Catch the buzz and participate in the ongoing saga on Facebook (Plantswise by Tovah Martin) and Instagram (tovah1).

For her writing and educational efforts, Tovah has been honored by many awards including The Garden Club of America’s award for outstanding literary achievement and an Honorary Membership in the GCA as well as an Honorary Membership in the Litchfield Garden Club. In 2013, she received the Gustav Mehlquist Award—the highest honor bestowed by the Connecticut Horticultural Society.