Book Review Site - Gardening & Landscaping Books
Browse this book review site before buying gardening and landscaping books as gifts. My book reviews focus on landscaping books for beginners. Get some gift ideas for your outdoorsy friends! I generally don't bother reviewing a book unless I find that I like it right away, so if it appears here, you know it's a book I recommend (with just 1 exception, so far -- and that was a short book).
Book on Hardy Succulent Plants
Hardy succulent plants can be used to add color and interesting textures to the northern garden. There's something for just about everyone in this book on hardy succulent plants.
Hardy succulent plants can be used to add color and interesting textures to the northern garden. There's something for just about everyone in this book on hardy succulent plants.
Native Plants Book
Why would you wish to garden with native plants? One answer is that native plants, being adapted to their surroundings, are easy to grow.
Why would you wish to garden with native plants? One answer is that native plants, being adapted to their surroundings, are easy to grow.
Modern Garden Writing: Book Featuring Top Modern Authors
The garden writing in "The Gardener's Bedside Reader" is engaging, the plant illustrations alluring. A collection of modern garden writing well worth reading.
The garden writing in "The Gardener's Bedside Reader" is engaging, the plant illustrations alluring. A collection of modern garden writing well worth reading.
Garden Book Featuring Gertrude Jekyll, Other Famous Garden Writers
Gertrude Jekyll is said to have designed over 400 gardens, between her Old World and New World undertakings. A British author of 13 books, Gertrude Jekyll's first book was Wood and Garden.
Gertrude Jekyll is said to have designed over 400 gardens, between her Old World and New World undertakings. A British author of 13 books, Gertrude Jekyll's first book was Wood and Garden.
Book on Attracting Wildlife
Attracting wildlife to the yard was never easier! This book on attracting wildlife to yards differs from many similar books by offering specific advice, including plant lists for different regions.
Attracting wildlife to the yard was never easier! This book on attracting wildlife to yards differs from many similar books by offering specific advice, including plant lists for different regions.
"Garden Voices: Stories of Women and Their Gardens"
Carolyn Freas Rapp's "Garden Voices: Stories of Women & Their Gardens" is not primarily about the cultivation of the soil, but rather the cultivation of the soul. "Garden Voices" presents the unique stories of 12 women for whom working the land is sacred.
Carolyn Freas Rapp's "Garden Voices: Stories of Women & Their Gardens" is not primarily about the cultivation of the soil, but rather the cultivation of the soul. "Garden Voices" presents the unique stories of 12 women for whom working the land is sacred.
Top 5 Gift Ideas: Best Landscaping and Gardening Books
Reviews of great gift choices for the landscaping and gardening enthusiasts in your life. Tired of buying necklaces for the lassies and ties for the guys? Buy a gift that keeps on giving. Reading these books is a great way for your green-thumbed friends to pass the winter. And they will consult these books again and again as references, once the gardening season returns.
Reviews of great gift choices for the landscaping and gardening enthusiasts in your life. Tired of buying necklaces for the lassies and ties for the guys? Buy a gift that keeps on giving. Reading these books is a great way for your green-thumbed friends to pass the winter. And they will consult these books again and again as references, once the gardening season returns.
Book on Growing Wild Orchids
William Mathis' book on growing wild orchids has great pictures. Too bad that's the high point of the book! Mathis is repetitive in presenting his tips for growing wild orchids, perhaps to fit more of those great pictures into the book! A thumbs-down on this one.
William Mathis' book on growing wild orchids has great pictures. Too bad that's the high point of the book! Mathis is repetitive in presenting his tips for growing wild orchids, perhaps to fit more of those great pictures into the book! A thumbs-down on this one.
Book on How to Attract Birds
Backyard bird watchers may wonder how to attract birds to their gardens. Landscaping and gardening books can teach you how to turn your yard into a veritable wild bird sanctuary! This Audubon Society book is all about landscaping to attract birds and is extremely detailed.
Backyard bird watchers may wonder how to attract birds to their gardens. Landscaping and gardening books can teach you how to turn your yard into a veritable wild bird sanctuary! This Audubon Society book is all about landscaping to attract birds and is extremely detailed.
Landscaping Book Review: "Landscape Planning"
"Landscape Planning" is a book that, among other things, shows you how to draw a landscaping plan. The drawing tips are complemented by practical advice on how to begin the physical work that commences once landscape planning is complete.
"Landscape Planning" is a book that, among other things, shows you how to draw a landscaping plan. The drawing tips are complemented by practical advice on how to begin the physical work that commences once landscape planning is complete.
Black & Decker "Creative Landscapes": Gardening Book on Plans, Design
Black & Decker's "The Complete Guide to Creative Landscapes" takes you through all the steps in establishing the yard of your dreams. This book takes you from drawing plans to implementing the ideas therein.
Black & Decker's "The Complete Guide to Creative Landscapes" takes you through all the steps in establishing the yard of your dreams. This book takes you from drawing plans to implementing the ideas therein.
"This Old House" Landscaping Book
The "Complete Landscaping" book is put out by a name you trust in matters of the home and yard -- This Old House. What I especially like about This Old House's book on landscaping is the succinct presentation on drawing landscape plans.
The "Complete Landscaping" book is put out by a name you trust in matters of the home and yard -- This Old House. What I especially like about This Old House's book on landscaping is the succinct presentation on drawing landscape plans.
Black & Decker's "The Complete Guide to Building Decks"
Building decks successfully requires planning and executing those plans with precision. This Black & Decker guide to building decks will help out do-it-yourselfers on both scores.
Building decks successfully requires planning and executing those plans with precision. This Black & Decker guide to building decks will help out do-it-yourselfers on both scores.
Better Homes & Gardens Book on Decks
Beginning with the preliminary considerations of deck construction ("how best to position a deck for comfort and convenience"), you'll learn everything about deck construction basics, including maintenance and repair afterwards.
Beginning with the preliminary considerations of deck construction ("how best to position a deck for comfort and convenience"), you'll learn everything about deck construction basics, including maintenance and repair afterwards.
"The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses"
Rick Darke's work is a collection of ornamental grass pictures and information on the families they fall into. Ornamental grass pictures of sedges, rushes, restios, cat-tails and selected bamboos are exhibited.
Rick Darke's work is a collection of ornamental grass pictures and information on the families they fall into. Ornamental grass pictures of sedges, rushes, restios, cat-tails and selected bamboos are exhibited.
"Lawnscaping" Book by Scotts
Not primarily a book on lawn care, this Scotts book focuses on landscape designs in which a central role is given to turf.
Not primarily a book on lawn care, this Scotts book focuses on landscape designs in which a central role is given to turf.
Ortho Landscaping Book: "All About Flowering Trees and Shrubs"
A companion to Ortho's "Complete Guide to Trees and Shrubs" (for which see book review below), this book is more specific, focusing on trees and shrubs that produce showy blooms.
A companion to Ortho's "Complete Guide to Trees and Shrubs" (for which see book review below), this book is more specific, focusing on trees and shrubs that produce showy blooms.
Newcomb's Wildflower Identification Guide
Newcomb's wildflower identification guide is based on a "key" system. By answering questions about what a plant looks like, Lawrence Newcomb guides you to wildflower identification in a logical, systematic manner. A must-have "gardening book" for woodland-garden enthusiasts who seek inspiration in Mother Nature for their own yards.
Newcomb's wildflower identification guide is based on a "key" system. By answering questions about what a plant looks like, Lawrence Newcomb guides you to wildflower identification in a logical, systematic manner. A must-have "gardening book" for woodland-garden enthusiasts who seek inspiration in Mother Nature for their own yards.
"The Art and Craft of Stonescaping"
If you think you might enjoy working creatively with your hands, using the solidity of stone as your medium, read this book and acquire some techniques with which to work.
If you think you might enjoy working creatively with your hands, using the solidity of stone as your medium, read this book and acquire some techniques with which to work.
Brick Landscape Design
Alan Bridgewater' book offers numerous ideas for brick landscape design. The book provides instructions for completing 16 brick landscape design projects.
Alan Bridgewater' book offers numerous ideas for brick landscape design. The book provides instructions for completing 16 brick landscape design projects.
Lawn Care Book
The author, David Mellor, refers to himself as a "lawnatic," thus the title of this lawn care book, "The Lawn Bible." Mellor is a fanatic about well-kept grass, and the reader benefits from his passion.
The author, David Mellor, refers to himself as a "lawnatic," thus the title of this lawn care book, "The Lawn Bible." Mellor is a fanatic about well-kept grass, and the reader benefits from his passion.
Ortho Book: "Complete Guide to Trees and Shrubs"
Ortho's "Complete Guide to Trees and Shrubs: Selecting, Planting, Growing, Pruning" considers the aesthetic and practical benefits of our woody friends. The information on why, how and when to prune trees and shrubs is especially useful.
Ortho's "Complete Guide to Trees and Shrubs: Selecting, Planting, Growing, Pruning" considers the aesthetic and practical benefits of our woody friends. The information on why, how and when to prune trees and shrubs is especially useful.
Water Garden Design
Book review of Kathleen Fisher's "Complete Guide to Water Gardens." Photos and illustrations introduce the novice to every aspect of water garden design, from pond liners to adequate filtration for koi.
Book review of Kathleen Fisher's "Complete Guide to Water Gardens." Photos and illustrations introduce the novice to every aspect of water garden design, from pond liners to adequate filtration for koi.
"Complete Idiot's Guide" Rock and Water Gardening Book
This book takes on a lot. Rock gardening and water gardening are two separate topics. Why combine them in one book? Perhaps to make the point that rock gardening and water gardening can complement each other beautifully!
This book takes on a lot. Rock gardening and water gardening are two separate topics. Why combine them in one book? Perhaps to make the point that rock gardening and water gardening can complement each other beautifully!
Gardening Books: "Landscaping for Dummies"
Consumer product review. The "Dummies" people have done it again! A comprehensive book designed for the beginner. You'll find yourself consulting specific topics again and again if you place this book on your bookshelf. The book also provides links to useful landscaping URLs and sources for hiring professionals.
Consumer product review. The "Dummies" people have done it again! A comprehensive book designed for the beginner. You'll find yourself consulting specific topics again and again if you place this book on your bookshelf. The book also provides links to useful landscaping URLs and sources for hiring professionals.
Jerry Baker Landscaping Book: "Backyard Problem Solver"
Review of one of Jerry Baker's books, Backyard Problem Solver. As is usually the case with Jerry Baker's books, this one is packed with the powerful "tonics" for which, unfortunately, Baker is best known. But Jerry Baker's books, including Backyard Problem Solver, are about much more than just those questionable tonics.
Review of one of Jerry Baker's books, Backyard Problem Solver. As is usually the case with Jerry Baker's books, this one is packed with the powerful "tonics" for which, unfortunately, Baker is best known. But Jerry Baker's books, including Backyard Problem Solver, are about much more than just those questionable tonics.
Gardening Books: Jerry Baker, "Plants Are Still Like People"
Jerry Baker is not only a plant doctor, but also has a keen eye for what makes a landscape beautiful. In fact, it is the latter aspect of his work that makes Plants Are Still Like People most enjoyable. Follow Baker's "Plants are like people" analogy from chapter to information-packed chapter as he sets us straight about lawns and gardens, trees and shrubs, annuals and perennials.
Jerry Baker is not only a plant doctor, but also has a keen eye for what makes a landscape beautiful. In fact, it is the latter aspect of his work that makes Plants Are Still Like People most enjoyable. Follow Baker's "Plants are like people" analogy from chapter to information-packed chapter as he sets us straight about lawns and gardens, trees and shrubs, annuals and perennials.
Gardening Books: Better Homes and Gardens on Landscaping
Consumer product review of a book published by Better Homes and Gardens. "Home Landscaping: Plants, Projects, and Ideas for Your Yard" is a great gift idea for gardeners. Purchase a gift for them that will give them something to get through the winter months -- planning next year's landscape. A smart consumer's choice for the money.
Consumer product review of a book published by Better Homes and Gardens. "Home Landscaping: Plants, Projects, and Ideas for Your Yard" is a great gift idea for gardeners. Purchase a gift for them that will give them something to get through the winter months -- planning next year's landscape. A smart consumer's choice for the money.
Gothic Gardening: Book on Black Plants
"Black" plants is an umbrella term, meant to encompass the darkest specimens available for landscaping, as Karen Platt relates in her book, replete with pictures (including pictures of black roses). Included in her presentation are both dark flowers and deep-colored foliage.
"Black" plants is an umbrella term, meant to encompass the darkest specimens available for landscaping, as Karen Platt relates in her book, replete with pictures (including pictures of black roses). Included in her presentation are both dark flowers and deep-colored foliage.
Landscaping Books: Garden Terraces Through Pictures
Paul Nordmark's book, "Inspirational Terracing," is a fine source of ideas for how terraces can turn a barren landscape design into an Eden. A picture is worth 1000 words, and this book says a mouthful about the versatility of garden terraces. It’s packed with thought-provoking pictures, including before and after photos....
Paul Nordmark's book, "Inspirational Terracing," is a fine source of ideas for how terraces can turn a barren landscape design into an Eden. A picture is worth 1000 words, and this book says a mouthful about the versatility of garden terraces. It’s packed with thought-provoking pictures, including before and after photos....
How to Make Scarecrows
Review of book on how to make garden scarecrows. Complement your other outdoor fall decorations with these creative garden scarecrows and other yard figures.
Review of book on how to make garden scarecrows. Complement your other outdoor fall decorations with these creative garden scarecrows and other yard figures.
GardenGuides Book Shop
Browse the collection of books offered by GardenGuides to find that special gift for a friend or a particular title you've yearned to see on your own bookshelf.
Browse the collection of books offered by GardenGuides to find that special gift for a friend or a particular title you've yearned to see on your own bookshelf.