Posted by
Elana Safronsky, Managing Editor
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 7:55 PM EDT
The Stats
Title: New Encyclopedia of Gardening Techniques, American Horticultural Society
Price: $60
Availability: Now, in most bookstores.
The Book
This is the latest release from the American Horticultural Society, that gracious establishment which has been around since 1922, and which you can obviously trust with the life of any of your green friends. Now, don't go telling me that they're soooo different down there, in the US, because the book professes its use no matter where you are in North America.
This much-lauded volume of gardening wisdom has been reviewed the world over since publication in 2009, including receiving the coveted seal of approval from Martha Stewart, who called it 'indispensable'.
As the cover itself states, it's an 'Indispensable Illustrated Practical Guide", a step-by-step photo- and colour-illustrated read full of stuff every gardener needs to know. Plan, plant, grow, prune and embellish all kinds of gardens, offered up as easy, and quite engrossing -- if I may say -- chapters, such as; Wildlife; Ornamentals; Vegetables & Herbs; Fruit; Lawns; Water Gardening; Container; and Greenhouse.
It's encyclopedic, and yet, publishers have learned a thing or two since the dawn of the format with respect to how to keep the snooze factor down while still maintaining integrity. This book contains an updated trunk-full of all that pesky, horticultural academia, but admits to the importance of keeping you captivated, interested and most importantly, inspired. What's nice as well is that there are plenty of photos and tips on how to actually design around your garden preferences, helping you visualize and plan your horticultural style. And, well, you know how we feel about style here...
Final Analysis
You'll probably like it if:
- You're a general garden enthusiast -- this is your Almanac
- You're looking to get a gardening friend a sure-shot present
- If you were looking to get that one perfect book to get you started on your own horticultural journey
You may not like it if:
- You have something very specific in mind and don't need all that info, or all that book (it's not a small volume.)
Giveaway: I've one of these inspiring volumes available to give away, and for a chance to be the lucky recipient simply email me the correct answer to the following question: What is the name of the American Horticultural Society's Magazine? Email me at stylesheetAThgtvDOTca with 'Gardening Giveaway' in the subject line. (Please see Contest Rules)
This Giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Joanna Y., of Toronto, ON.