Lawn Gone! GIVEAWAY and other perks from San Francisco Garden Bloggers Fling
Did you miss me? I’m back from nearly two weeks of fun Flinging with garden bloggers and sightseeing with my family in beautiful San Francisco, California. Since 2008, the Garden Bloggers Fling has been an annual tradition for me, a can’t-miss meet-up of garden bloggers from across the U.S., Canada, and England.
This year’s Fling was hosted in San Francisco by bloggers Kelly Kilpatrick of Floradora, Andrea Fox of Grow Where You’re Planted, Charlotte (Daffodil Planter) Germane of Dirt du Jour, Claire Splan of An Alameda Garden, and Maggie Leighly. These hard-working women put together an incredible, 3-day lineup of garden tours across the city, plus a fabulous opening-night group dinner at the Conservatory of Flowers.
Pictured at top is our official group photo from that evening, taken by famed garden photographer Saxon Holt of PhotoBotanic.
I’m proud to give my publisher, Berkeley-based Ten Speed Press, a shout-out as one of the Fling’s generous sponsors this year. I knew that Ten Speed would be donating a copy of my book, Lawn Gone!, to each of the 70+ attendees — one of the many swag-bag items we all received — but what I didn’t know was that my editor, the incomparable Lisa Regul, would be attending the group dinner. What a fantastic surprise!
For nearly three years I’ve spoken regularly with Lisa on the phone, but we’d never met, and I didn’t even know what she looked like. She’d seen my author photo, however, and in any event I was wearing my name tag, so she walked up and said, “Pam?” I recognized that voice immediately and gave her a big hug. Lisa worked with me from idea to proposal to editing to publication. I owe so much of the success of Lawn Gone! to her expertise and guidance.
Another fun moment was meeting fellow Ten Speed garden authors Stefani Bittner and Leslie Bennett, who published The Beautiful Edible Garden this spring. Ten Speed, as you may know, publishes all sorts of books, not just garden/nature titles. Seeing other new authors from publishing houses that specialize in gardening titles bonding over their shared experiences, I’d felt a bit wistful for that kind of camaraderie. So when I met Leslie and Stefani and realized our Ten Speed connection, I felt as if I’d met two long-lost sisters.
This was their first Fling, and they both are delightful company. Everyone at the Fling got a copy of their book too. It’s beautiful, and I can’t wait to read it. We posed for the photo above in one of the tour gardens.
One more fun new item from this year’s Fling was the introduction of souvenir buttons. Each Fling, from Austin all the way to San Francisco, is represented, and future hosts will add to the collection. Only a few of us at the San Francisco Fling had buttons from every past Fling. But whether one button or six, they made great additions to our name badges and often provided a conversational opening with someone new.
(By the way, if you’ve attended a previous Fling but weren’t in San Francisco and you’d like to receive your button(s), pop on over to my “how to get your button” post on the Garden Bloggers Fling blog.)
And now for the Lawn Gone! giveaway
I’m sharing some Fling swag by giving away a signed copy of Lawn Gone! to one lucky reader who was not at this year’s Fling. Anyone may enter by leaving a comment on this post (one comment per person, please). Due to shipping costs, the giveaway is only open to residents of the continental U.S. The deadline for entering is next Wednesday, July 17th, at 11:59 p.m. central time. I’ll announce the winner on July 18th. Update: And the winner is…
While we’re waiting to see who wins, I’ll start posting about the garden tours from the Fling. I can’t wait to share them with you!
All material © 2006-2013 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
What fun we had at this Fling. Many thanks to you and your publisher for the books. I am reading it and enjoying it along with the book by Stefani and Leslie. They are a delight!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying it! Layanee, as always, it was lovely to see you at the Fling, although once again our visit was too short. Hope you had fun with Mr. Ledge and Gardens. —Pam
Sounds like the fling was a great success. I’d love to read your book but can’t enter due to where I live. Perhaps it will be available up here one of these days.
Hi, Crafty! Do you have a Barnes & Noble in your city? If so, Lawn Gone! should be there, or else they can order it for you. And Amazon stocks it too of course. 😉 —Pam
I’m with you in zone 8… Just east of San Antonio. Count me in the give away!
Can’t wait to see your garden pictures from the FLING! Love to do a little armchair traveling.
Sign me up, please? I would love to go to a fling. Are they open to non-bloggers?
Do you have any Austin store appearances coming up? I’ve missed every one so far.
Hi, Cindy. The Garden Bloggers Fling is only open to garden bloggers. I will be at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center on July 28, from 1 to 3 pm, for a book-signing in the Wild Ideas store. If you’d like to come out and say hi and maybe get a book signed, admission is free that day. —Pam
Can hardly wait to see your photos and comments on the SF Fling!
I’m removing my lawn naturally—the sun is killing it. I should probably get your book soon before my neighbors start talking about “that” house.
Hi Pam I live in the SF bay area and enjoy your blog regularly. I am an agave maniac and lawnless to boot. I look foward to your take on our region.
And I want your book!
Thanks!
So sorry to miss the Fling. Looks like ya’ll had a blast. I’m planning ahead right now and plan to attend next year’s Fling in Portland. Can’t wait!
I missed you! Glad you are back and I look forward to all your future posts!
Been wondering where you were! My stock tank pond (with the kiddos goldfish!!) is going crazy here in North Texas! Thank you for the inspiration and the direction. Count me in!
Happily, I’m not eligible for the drawing because I was at the fling and received a second copy of your wonderful book! Yea! I had the pleasure of sitting with Lisa, Leslie, and Stefani at dinner at the conservatory and was excited to see your post about them, what nice folks! Meeting so many incredible people, like yourself, was my favorite thing about the fling and I’m looking forward to seeing your posts! See you in Portland and happy gardening!
Peter, it was a huge treat to meet you too! Yes, meeting fellow bloggers is definitely a highlight of each Fling, and I’m glad I’ll see you again in Portland next year. BTW, I ended up getting a ride to Berkeley on Monday with a friend who wanted to lunch at Chez Panisse. Afterward we visited Marcia Donahue’s garden on your recommendation, which was very cool. I’m sorry you weren’t able to make it due to the BART strike — she mentioned you. —Pam
I love your book, Pam, and would love to have a copy of my own. At every opportunity, I show it to visitors in the Lady Bird Johnson Store. I look fwd to seeing you at the book signing. 🙂
Your book would be great to have at hand since I miss you when you don’t post! Looking forward to the fling posts….
I have my signed copy so no need to enter me – I just wanted to say HI! Welcome back! Can’t wait to see your tours 🙂
I look forward to reading your book, winning a copy would be a great bonus.
I’d love to have your book!
I love reading all your blog posts. Enter me for a chance to win a copy of your book Lawn Gone! Thank you!
I’ve lived this long and never knew there was a Garden Bloggers Fling? How cool! Your blog is a source of great inspiration as I plan the building of our future gardens (oh yeah, and the future house, too) down here on Mustang Island. Cannot wait to plant the little seedlings we’re readying for their new lives next year. Thanks for all you do.
Please throw my name in the hat. I would love to win!
I just noticed your inscription on my copy of Lawn Gone! Very sweet — such a treat to meet you, Pam, and I’m thoroughly enjoying your book.
Denise, I am SO glad you came to the Fling and that I got to meet you at last. I hope you’ll come visit me in Austin sometime. —Pam
Would love to be able to attend a fling. Looks like fun!
That book looks like it is filled with lots of amazing ideas. I have a large island which right now has no plants what so ever in it. Would love to get some great ideas about how to fill it up.
Wow, I wish I had gone just to get the swagbag!
Just discovered you and your website! LOVE your ideas and want to know more! Hope to hear that I’m the lucky winner next week!!!
Hehe, thanks to the Fling swag and Facebook, I already have a signed copy of your book. Thanks for signing it for me that last evening at The Grove. I enjoyed this year’s Fling so much, looking forward to next year in Portland. I hope you got some photos of Marcia Donohue’s garden, and will do a post on it.
I did and I will, Alison! It’ll be after all my Fling garden posts though. —Pam
As of now, I work as a nurse..but, my passion would be in helping people have sustainable gardens and yards. I’ve been trying to get courage to go back to school and launch into my passion-Thus, staying in the helping field ..but, in a facet that “energized me”,
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and tips in this cool new book !
I read all your posts, Pam. My interest is native TX plants, fencing off potential thickets, and doing the best we can with limited deer-resistant plant offerings. My wife and I are outside Boerne and my daughter lives in Austin!! Bye! Steve
I love your site and will love to read your book!
Pam, enter me, please to win your book! Great job.
Love your blog! I’m sure I’ll love your book!
Your book has been on my wish list for awhile! I definitely could use some inspiration in this heat…
I need to get rid of more lawn and would love to have the book… Please enter me!
follow you on pinterest, too! Do your book ideas easily transfer to Zone 6? Would love to replace some of our “lawn” (aka weeds, invasive grasses, etc)!
Yes, indeed, Cid! The book is for a national audience, with design advice and how-to information that works for all regions and specific plant selections for 11 different U.S. regions made by local experts. —Pam
If I don’t win your book, I am going to have to buy it. I am speaking about lawn alternatives at a horticultural field day in Sept.
I like that either way, you’ll be reading Lawn Gone!, Les. 😉 —Pam
I love the idea of slowly replacing our lawn with something low maintenance and my husband would love it because he just doesn’t think grass is aesthetically pleasing.
it would be grand to have something low maintenance and in my austin zone.especially how to work my east austin soil.i would so appreciate a copy of your book to help me and my son(7yrs.) work our back yard.gotta start them out young! thanks!
Pam, I’m in Castroville and would love a copy of your book. Thank you for the lovely offer !
I’d love to receive a copy of your book, Pam. I am a big fan of yours!
I can’t stand the “rules” in our HOA. Wanting to rebel, and be ready for when our community takes it over 🙂
Just to say I love your blog it’s very inspiring! and I wish to be the winner of your book, I really want to read it. 🙂
In the process of purchasing a new home in Dallas-Fort Worth and I am already looking to get rid of as much grass as possible. We will have a mixture of shade and sun and desperately need some ideas. I would love to receive a copy of your book.
Oh pam ‘hi’ I really love your gardens, I am in Australia but I love our native gardens here and yours remind me of those. would love to do something like this at my home…Hope I win your book!!! Theresa
Looking forward to reading your posts about this year’s blogger’s fling- your photos are always fantastic! I’d love to have a copy of your book as well :).
As a fellow Texan, I can relate to the need for drought tolerant plants and less of lawns that require tons of water. I would be thrilled to win your book and wish you continued success!
Just discovered your You Tube Central Texas Gardener appearances and are very intrigued by the idea of no lawn. My husband and I live in a historic home just north of you in Georgetown. We are lucky that this property currently has no lawn (only weeds), which will make it easier to landscape. Instead of planting grass, now we are thinking of becoming Lawn Goners. Would love a copy of your book for help in this undertaking! Thank you for your inspiration.
Love California gardens and natural areas. Every plant out there seems to be on steroids! Lucky you – being there and enjoying it all. .Thanks for your response to my 5th method of removing lawn. You might want to post that on your blog since it wasn’t mentioned in Lawn Gone. I have just put out a slideshow video on YouTube of our xeriscaped back yard. Can be seen athttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZvq2r1PAlw
Just found your blog and love it! I am just south of you in Lockhart. Would love to get a copy of your book to get some fresh ideas! Thanks!
I have less lawn than I used to have, and would be happy to lose some more with some of the good ideas from this book.
What a treat it would be to have your well done book full of great ideas– Thanks for entering me in– love your blog.
I am now living in my second house where I’ve scandalized the neighbors by ripping out the turf… but they always are amazed at how beautiful and LOW-MAINTENANCE the results are. Keep spreading the word!
Living in Austin, TX my poor lawn is baked most of the year round. I would love to have a copy of this book to help me help my yard.
I found you on pinterest and now follow you over on FB. I’ve gotten so many ideas from your posts and am slowing working to make my North Texas yard more waterwise 🙂
I haven’t torn out lawn areas yet….just switching to plants that require less moisture and are more long-lived. I think there is an art to designing a garden as big as your yard. Some I’ve seen are beautiful and others really need help. So I want to learn more before jumping in. Sounds like your book has some good advice…..Bonnie
I live in florida and it is humid and hot and i need to get rid of my lawn and plant succlents and plants that live here and or enjoy the sun!! been following your blog and love it!!!
i really could use your book!!!
I killed my front lawn and can use all the ideas I can get. Your blog is very helpful and inspiring!
I would like to update our northern california 20+ years old front yard to one that is more sustainable and waterwise!
I’ve moved into a house, and now have to decide what to do with the front and back yards. I don’t want lawn, so am looking for ideas.
Sure enjoy your blog. You never let us down you are always digging deeper to keep us informed.