The Bottom Line
Pros
- Handy lists abound.
- Diversity: Jerry Baker covers hardscape topics, too, as well as softscape.
- Sample problems / solutions make you feel like you're "talking" with Jerry Baker.
Cons
- No photos.
Description
- Curious about Jerry Baker's (in)famous tonics? The final chapter offers explanations as to why they (supposedly) work.
- Two examples follow of how Jerry Baker reduces a topic down to its essence:
- 1) Soil improvement is boiled down to providing "air and organic matter."
- 2) "Per square foot, well-chosen shrubs provide more ornamental value" than any other plants.
- If you like folksy humor, you'll love the constant references to old-time tips from "Grandma Putt."
- Q&A sections at the end of each chapter discuss real-life issues encountered in numerous backyards.
- The "Dummies"-type format includes the liberal use of handy lists. I really like his plant lists.
Guide Review - Jerry Baker's "Backyard Problem Solver"
The book is divided into 5 parts, starting with the basics of soil, planting and maintenance. Part II dishes out the meat of the book, with an overview of the various types of plants landscapers use. This is where you'll learn about trees and shrubs, annuals and perennials, and much more. Got a shady spot where you wish to plant a perennial flower? How about a sunny spot in need of some ornamental grass? You'll find suggestions by reading the appropriate chapter. Don't have time to read? No problem. The light-and-easy format in which Backyard Problem Solver is published allows you to skim through handy lists for quick solutions to your problems. Perhaps it is from Part III that the book derives its title, as this part is all about problems commonly encountered in the backyard -- and how to solve them. Jerry Baker has separate chapters here for dealing with insects, rodents, diseases and natural disasters. In Part IV Jerry Baker takes us "Beyond Greenery," revealing some tips on hardscaping (walkways and fences). Finally, Part V concludes Backyard Problem Solver by providing a calendar for landscaping chores and the "lowdown" on the (in)famous tonics Jerry Baker sprays on his plants.
Speaking of those tonics.... The fact that I recommend reading Jerry Baker's books doesn't mean I endorse his tonics. I don't have much use for sprays of any sort in my own garden, frankly, so I ignore his tonics. But Jerry Baker's books, including Backyard Problem Solver, are about much more than just the tonics. So don't throw the baby out with the bath water!
