In this revealing exploration of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s deep connection with the natural world, Marta McDowell follows the wagon trail of the beloved Little House series. You’ll learn details about Wilder’s life and inspirations, pinpoint the Ingalls and Wilder homestead claims on authentic archival maps, and learn how to grow the plants and vegetables featured in the series. Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 353-375) and index.

Prologue -- A life on the land. Clearing the land : the Wisconsin woods ; Preparing the soil : a New York farm ; Harrowing : the prairie of Kansas, Indian Territory ; Making a better garden : creekside in Minnesota and Iowa ; Ripening : the Dakota prairie ; Reaping : settled farm and settled town ; Threshing : from Great Plains to Ozark Ridges ; Saving seed : Rocky Ridge Farm ; Putting food by: the Rock House and the farmhouse -- Wilder gardens ; Visiting Wilder gardens ; Growing a Wilder garden -- Source abbreviations -- Plants for a Wilder garden -- Recommended reading.