Why We Garden: On the joy & wonder of growing things, even when we don’t have to
In a world of well-stocked supermarkets and florists, why do we garden, even though we don’t have to?
Out April 14, 2026
This was the question that fascinated Hannah Moloney. So she went out and asked. She spoke to politicians, artists, community leaders, activists and thousands of ordinary gardeners. This book explores their answers – sometimes surprising, often philosophical, always insightful.
Much more than a gardening book, Why We Garden is a joyful, life-affirming exploration of nature, humanity and community. Featuring interviews with Tim Winton, Bruce Pascoe, Laura Tingle, Clare Bowditch, Bob Brown, Costa Georgiadis and many more.
Click here to order here for Australia and New Zealand
Related products
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Good Life Growing
Read moreHow to grow fruit and veg anywhere in Australia
Good Life Growing provides the inspiration and know-how to grow your own fruit and veg in any Australian climate. This bountiful guide from Gardening Australia presenter Hannah Moloney is packed with practical solutions for all conditions and every gardener. Whether you’re getting started with a pot or developing a plot, you’ll find everything you need to hone your skills, fire your imagination and have good, fresh food all year round.
You can check out an extract of Good Life Growing by clicking here. Plus you can find all the source references here.
Ready to order?
- For Australian and New Zealand, click here
- For the rest of the world, click here.
What people are saying…
“Hannah makes growing engaging and, above all else, provides tried and tested methods and tips for everyone.” Costa Georgiadis, host of Gardening Australia
“Delightful, enthusiastic and informative, celebrating people, food and place across Australia.” Leonie Norrington, author of Tropical Food Gardens
“Utterly practical, achievable and has the recipe for a healthy life in a mindful environment,” Dr Norman Swan
“There’s not a thing that I could recommend to add.” Jane Edmanson, Gardening Australia presenter and author
“Good Life Growing makes edible gardening more accessible and possible for everyone – I love it!” Kirsten Bradley, Milkwood
“If you want to start an edible garden, there is no better person than Hannah Moloney to be by your side.” Matthew Evans (Gourmet Farmer) and Sadie Chrestman, Fat Pig Farm
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The Good Life: How To Grow A Better World
Read moreI wrote a book!
The Good Life: How To Grow A Better World is all about how to live a good life in the face of the climate emergency.
Ready to order?
- For Australia and New Zealand click here.
- For the rest of the world? Hang tight for updates on that :-).
From growing your own food to composting, building a rocket stove, radical hope to car sharing, this book is centred around showing people how living an ordinary life can make an extraordinary contribution to countering the climate emergency.
Whether you have a large farm, a half-acre, a backyard, a tiny balcony or no balcony at all, there are tips and tricks to suit everyone. You can listen to me read a section of the book here.
Just a heads up: This is not a gardening or permaculture book, it’s a book on climate action which includes elements of both, but so much more!
“Hannah makes my heart smile. Her honesty, insight and conviction are the building blocks of the good life” (Costa Georgiadis).
