The Michigan garden scene has lost a gentle gardening guru well known in the area for his garden books, fascinating lectures and columns in the Detroit News. Jeffery Norman Ball, better known as Jeff Ball, passed away at his home in Attica, Michigan on Friday, November 11. Jeff was born in Lynn, Massachusettson August 29, 1939. He was the son of Edward and Violet Ball. His childhood was spent in Vermont. He attended Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania where he earned a Masters degree in Community Organization.
Jeff began his career in the Welfare Department of the State of Pennsylvania. After 13 years of being a government employee, he persuaded a new publishing company, Rodale Press, to publish a book he had written on gardening. He went on to write 9 garden books for Rodale Press and was a big part of their success.
Some of the more recent titles include;
The Self-Sufficient Suburban Gardener
Rodales Garden Problem Solver- vegetables, fruits, herbs
Jeff Balls 60 Minute Vegetable Garden
Rodales Landscape Problem Solver
Rodales Flower Garden Problem Solver
Jeff was also on NBC’s Today show as the garden expert for 8 years, where he had Friday morning segments. Jeff embraced new technology and also made gardening videos including; How to care for Your Lawn and How to Design a Flower Garden. He had a popular garden website gardeneryardener.blogspot.com
Jeff moved to Attica, Michigan about 15 years ago where he lived with Nancy Szerlag, a fellow garden writer. Michigan gardeners loved him. He was known for his grizzled beard, suspenders and passionate promotion of such subjects as the soil food web, compost tea and composting. He was always ready to share his knowledge with other gardeners and garden writers and was a popular garden speaker in Michigan.
Jeff left this world as a gardener should, at the end of the season as nature prepares the garden for rest. Rest peacefully, Jeff.
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