Editorial Review

Much has changed in the role and use of ornamental grasses over the past 100 years. Whereas turn-of-the-century gardeners had perhaps a dozen perennial grasses to choose from, today's gardeners have hundreds. Ornamental grasses now embody a huge array of textures, forms, sizes, colors, flowering times, and cultural adaptations. Read more

Reviews (5)

Masterful, Encyclopedic Guide Full of Helpful Photos
Rick Darke's book is typical of his work. It is extremely well written, a detailed, very thorough guide to ornamental grasses, full of helpful pictures as well as information on growing and maintaining grasses. This book should be a classic for decades to come.

Absolutely Fantastic
This is such a wonderful informational book... AND ... a gorgeous coffee table book. It is terrific from beginning to end! If you like or are interested in, or even thinking about Ornamental Grasses ... then THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU! I can't imagine anyone who has an interest in Ornamental Grasses NOT LOVING THIS BOOK, and would be delighted they purchased it. My only concern is that it is going to look dog-earred from my reading it over and over and over again ... which frankly takes away from its beauty on our coffee table.

Buy 2 copies...
This book is structured, written, photographed and edited with parallel purpose and effect: communication of the author's respect and regard for the book's subject and for its readers. Mr. Darke sets out to inform and does so with enconomy but in full course; when he instructs, he teaches the novice and gives pause to the critic; when he photographs he shows his passion and inspires with the nature and wonder of his subjects. The book is encyclopedic, yet its prose is always to the point with the agreeable dryness of a good, well-bodied wine. Credible, trustworthy, enlightening. This is the best gardening book I have ever read. Negatives? Only one: Mr. Darke's standards are unimpeachable; those of the book's typographer and designer, however, are not. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Encyclopedias    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. General    6. Grasses    7. Ornamental Plants    8. Ornamental grasses    9. Pictorial works    10. Plants - Grasses    11. Reference    12. Gardening / Flowers / Perennials    13. Gardening: plants   

Reviews (1)

An excellent textbook
Nelson's text is probably the most widely used on college campuses offering greenhouse management.It is up to date, full of technical information, and the chapters are well-ordered.Read more

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - General    2. Floriculture    3. Flowers    4. Greenhouse management    5. Greenhouses    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Technology    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. Horticulture    10. Technology / Agriculture & Animal Husbandry   

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Horticulture (General)    5. Reference    6. Regional - General    7. Garden design & planning    8. Gardening / General   

Reviews (2)

Helps you get out of a rut
I found this book to be great for when you have designer's block.This book is filled to the rim with illustrated examples and makes a great quick reference.The best thing about it is it doesn't cost an arm and a leg like most design books.

Great book to learn how to integrate design elements
Very impressed with how the author demonstrates how you can take an element, whether it is a sea shell or fern frond, and how you can actually integrate it in a landscape design. Being a student in Landscape Architecture, I find it very useful in design projects. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. General    3. Landscape    4. Landscape design    5. Photography    6. Architecture / Landscape   

Reviews (17)

A Classic for Mushroom Cultivation
If you were to buy only one book on mushroom cultivation, this would be the best choice. It can certainly stand-alone in that it provides all the info the reader needs to cultivate mushrooms. Although psilocybian mushrooms are included these are by no means the exclusive or main focus of this book. For the most part, the book is concerned with legal edible mushrooms that can be grown in the home or yard. Absolute beginners can certainly start with this book and no other book will be necessary to provide all that the reader needs to know from beginning to end of the mushroom growing process.
mushroom cultivator a good buy
this book has lots of useful information about growing muchrooms
Usefull still
An older book, but its info is still very true. There are some more updated techniques out. However, it is surely a strong foundation for your mushroom cultivation knowledge, or just to satisfy your curiousity of how mushroom cultivation works. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening / Horticulture    2. Gardening/Plants    3. General    4. Horticultural Crops    5. Mushroom culture    6. Mushrooms    7. Fruit & vegetables    8. Specialized gardening methods   

Reviews (7)

Nothing compares
I own and operate a nursery using both of these books as a primary resource when purchasing conifers from growers.When customers refer to these books at our library, they comment on how beautiful the many conifers are available.My only wish the book had w/b zone hardiness and growth habit.Buy it.ProGardens, Inc.East Amherst, New York.

Conifers : The Illustrated Encyclopedia (Two Volume Set)
Two world authorities compiled this outstanding conifer book featuring 2347 excellent, sharp photos reproduced beautifully on high quality paper.Each picture was taken at the proper distance to show the tree's outstanding detail.Captions are a sentence or two with location oftenincluded.For detail use a good companion book such as the Manual ofCultivated Conifers by Krussmann.Imperative for landscapers and a joy fortree lovers -- a bargain at the cover price.A quality bookclearly at the top of my list of favorites.

great book to figure out what you have growing in your yard.
pictures are great !!butlacks the necessary info on growing,care,climate zones&changes of sasons on the plants.but i love it for all it'svisual contents ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conifers    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Ornamental conifers    6. Pictorial works    7. Reference    8. Trees    9. Botany & plant sciences    10. Gardening / Trees    11. Horticulture    12. Reference works    13. Shrubs & trees   

Reviews (10)

WORM BOOK
I have only flicked through the book quickly as work is taking up to much time. But the book is what i wanted, especailly about setting up worms to use for fishing.Thanks

More Worms on the Net than in this Book
While this book is interesting, I found more information by surfing the net.

A "user friendly" guide to recycling kitchen food waste
Now in its revised second edition, Worms Eat My Garbage by Mary Appelhof is a practical and "user friendly" guide to recycling kitchen food waste, producing fertilizer for house and garden plants, growing fishing worms, and saving money, all through the process of a worm composting system. Worms Eat My Garbage is a simple, effective, "how-to" guide covering everything from how to set up a worm bin, to what types of garbage are best for worm composting, to taking care of the worms, to effectively saving money while reaping the benefits of the process. Worms Eat My Garbage is easy-to-follow, thorough, and enthusiastically recommended reference for environmentalists and gardeners. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Grades 3-4    2. Earthworm culture    3. Earthworms    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Life Sciences - Ecology - Recycling    6. Organic    7. Techniques    8. Vermicomposting    9. Specialized gardening methods   

Reviews (8)

The Ultimate Gift for the Lover of Beauty
Carolyne Roehm demonstrates her exquisite taste from the very first page of this lavish book.Organized by season, each chapter celebrates the beauty of all sorts of blossoms in stunning arrangements.These arrangements are lush and full and show an artist's mastery of texture and extraordinary combination of color.The photos are reminiscent of the sumptuousness of the movie, The Age of Innocence, with lovely gilded gold, crystal and porcelain containers. The photography truly is breathtaking and includes not only close ups of the bouquets but also glimpses of elegantly set dining tables, gorgeously furnished rooms and spacious gardens.Her prose is poetry, but also practical in the sections on containers, elements of style and basics.A better book on flower arranging couldn't possibly exist.

**Fantastic Photos**
This book is a joy- the vibrant photos actually helped me through the long Pennsylvania winter.Lots of great tips on arrangements- from colors and containers.I envy Roehme's budget for entertaining!

Incredible photography of the most beautiful flowers
The flowers depicted in this book gave their lives for a truly noble cause and have been honored appropriately by the photographer.Quite simply they were displayed and photographed in the most beautiful fashion possible.Perhaps the key word there is fashion -- Carolyn Roehm has the experience and eye for fashion, having been a former designer, and that experience may be what enabled her to display the flowers in a way that truly does them justice.I coveted this book for a long while, having seen it in a bookstore, and couldn't get it out of my mind.Now that I own it, I consider myself very fortunate indeed.The book is divided into the four seasons.Particularly strong are the photos depicting the flowers prevalent in Fall and Spring.The smoky greens, yellows, oranges, reds, and browns of the Fall months's foliage manage to look festive and lovely despite their representing the waining of life until the Spring.The photos of lilacs and daffodils in the section on Spring make one hopeful for the end of winter and make one realize why all that shivering is eventually worthwhile.I loved this book and recommend it heartily for anyone who loves pretty flowers and doesn't particularly have any special horticultural knowledge. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Dried Flowers    4. Floral Arts    5. Flower Arranging    6. Flower arrangement    7. Flowers    8. Flowers - General    9. Gardening/Plants    10. Pictorial works    11. Floral crafts    12. Gardening / Flowers / General   

Reviews (7)

Native Plants of NE
Excellent book for those of us in the NE States and are gardeners. This book is particularly good for people moving into the area.

great resource
A local nursery owner had recommended this bood as a guide in helping me landscape my new yard. The information is great and the pictures are extremely helpful. It offers a lot of variety and not your everday-popular plants/shrubs. I'm looking forward to having things my neighbors don't even know about!

Well worth buying for native plant enthusiasts
This is alot more than a seed catalog read.I enjoyed the Professor's introduction, in which he shares a great deal about many plants in the book, his favorites, why, and how they work in his own garden.Not particularly applicable to me personally was a good deal of information on ecosystem types in the Northeast and wetland information.
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Subjects:  1. Gardening / Horticulture    2. Native plant gardening    3. Native plants for cultivation    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Northeastern States    7. Plants - General    8. Regional - Canada    9. Regional - New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)    10. Nature / Plants    11. Nature   

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - General    2. Architecture    3. General    4. Landscape    5. Landscape architecture    6. Landscape gardening    7. Landscaping industry    8. Life Sciences - Horticulture    9. Science    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Agricultural science    12. Landscape art & architecture    13. Technology / Agriculture & Animal Husbandry   

Reviews (4)

Absolutely fascinating work
This book took me into the grassroots level work of the newest Nobel Peace Prize winner.I was glad to get a glimpse into what the world is just recognizing as the new frontier - the hope that comes from action at the local level which makes real course changes in our world as a whole.I enjoyed the very practical outline of this movement's accomplishments and connections to the growing consciousness for earth's slow, steady salvation.

GREEN BELT MOVEMENT
I found this book to be an enlightening and educating account of the background and work of the current Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Wangari Maathai.THE GREEN BELT MOVEMENT is currently the only volume that provides as much insight on this topic.
Depressed about the environment?Read this book!!
The Green Belt Movement by Wangari Maathai is a wonderful, informative and user-friendly book that gives a good sense of the movement's history and the person behind it. Just as Maathai in her work likes to keep her hands in the dirt planting trees, in her book she cuts directly to the meat and bones of what the Green Belt Movement is about and how it functions practically on the ground.
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Subjects:  1. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    2. Environmental Studies    3. Green Belt Movement (Society :    4. Green Belt Movement (Society : Kenya)    5. Kenya    6. Natural Resources    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Tree planting    10. Trees & Forests - General    11. Africa    12. Environmentalist, conservationist & Green organizations   

Reviews (7)

not as good as i expected
this highly recommended book started out as a compelling read, but became something i had to force myself to finish. it seems to be a series of lectures strung together, which may have been interesting as lectures, but is not cohesive enough to be a book. the good information is lost amidst the rambling style.

A must read for Landscape Architects
Anyone studying environmental planning or LA should read this book.

Significant Book for Architects - Though a Little Slow
While it's not the kind of book you want to lounge around the fireplace reading, it is a book that is frequently referred to by architects.It is significant in designing and ecologially friendly building in today's built-up environment.Summary:Not a great book, but a useful resource for architects. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Effect of human beings on    3. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    4. Environmental policy    5. Human ecology    6. Landscape    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Planning    10. United States    11. Applied ecology    12. Architecture / Landscape    13. City & town planning - architectural aspects   

Editorial Review

Marty Nachel immediately dispels two long-held myths in Read more

Reviews (20)

Good beginner book
This was one of my first homebrew books.I now have a whole bookshelf of brewing books.The two things that set Homebrewing for Dummies apart is that it covers many topics without going into great depth and it has an excellent index.This book is a great quick reference for beginning brewers though when it isn't loaned out I still look things up in it.

Good reference guide for beginner brewers
I've been a homebrewer for three years now, and have learned a lot in that time.It took an entire year prior to just get down the vocabulary used in homebrewing terms, and this book helped with that process all along the way.It's chock full of the basics of homebrewing, and I refer to it each time I brew a new recipe.It's definitely for beginners though.As my brewing techniques have advanced, so have my references.

Good general guide book.
I have been brewing for about 3 years now and still find useful items in this book.I have still not moved to all grain, but for the beginner this is a good all around book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Beer    3. Beverage Technology    4. Beverages - Beer    5. Beverages - Wine & Spirits    6. Brewing    7. Cooking / Wine    8. Gardening    9. Regional - General    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Beers    12. Cooking / Wine & Spirits    13. Food & Drink / Cookery   

Reviews (27)

Don't be dumb - buy the hardcover
If you are serious enough about gardening to want this book, get one that won't fall apart.The hardcover is just a few more bucks, and if you throw in another small item you'll qualify for free shipping.I just replaced my 1988 hardcover edition, and it's still in fabulous condition despite being constantly used.(I keep it sitting in my kitchen, next to my cookbooks, where it can be easily grabbed when a flash of gardening inspiration hits.)The only reason I replaced it was to get the updated information in the newer edition.This book is without a doubt the gold standard of garden books.

Better every edition!
It had been 7 years since I had purchased my last Western Garden Book and I am totally excited about this updated version! I especially appreciate the addition of Alaska and Hawaii, since my climate is not unlike Alaska. My favorite is the "natives" section. Absolutely the best!

a must for western gardeners
This is my second copy of the Sunset Western Garden Book.The old copy is tattered and currently in my trunk.That way I am sure to have a reliable reference when I have the urge to purchase a plant.I have only come across one plant that wasn't listed. (Sunset, why did you dis the Dombeya?)
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Subjects:  1. Dictionaries    2. Flowers - General    3. Gardening    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Landscape    7. Regional - General    8. Techniques    9. West (U.S.)   

Subjects:  1. Cooking / Wine    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Flower Arranging    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Parties    6. Party decorations    7. Planning    8. Tablesetting    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Flower Arranging    10. General cookery   

Reviews (7)

Boy! I miss California so much!
Native California plants have their own way of showing natutual beauty. This book catches the spirit of these plants. Would like to see more closeup pictures so that I can learn to identify them.

Great reference book supplement
Easy to read, concentrates on native plants so can narrow search, good addition to the library.

Wonderful book!
This book distinguishes itself by offering wonderful color photgraphs of most of the plants it discusses.This is a significant advantage for neophyte native plant gardeners.Other valuable and well-respected books on the same topic, such as Growing California Native Plants by Marjorie G. Schmidt, don't offer even close to the same pictorial experience.
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Subjects:  1. California    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Native plant gardening    6. Native plants for cultivation    7. Reference    8. Regional - General    9. Regional - West (AK, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, UT, WY)   

Reviews (4)

Agreed
After doing my own research, I ended up purchasing this book. I agree completely with the other reviews - its the best book, its the only book you need, and I congratulate the author on making this a flexible yet thorough resource that guides you pictorally through every step of the process. Just plain awesome, and I just finished my deck and I love it - it exceeds my expectations and its due to the advice in these pages.

best deck building book I found
I am planning to design and build a large (40x15) deck, and I bought several books to learn about the process.This is far and away the best of the lot.Plenty of detail for each part of the deck.Great diagrams and pictures.Lots of great "tricks of the trade."Very readable.Highly recommended.
The Best Book on Design and Construction of Decks
I've been researching decks and screen porches for the last few months, with the intention of building a 16'X 34' elevated deck and screen porch on my home in Southern CT. I've done many home construction project big and small; however, I'm not in the construction business. Scott Schuttner's Build Like a Pro book on decks, is by far the best book on decks, period. It is clearly superior to the other books I've read on the subject (and I've purchase over four of them and flipped through a lot more). This one was really the only one I need to buy; unfortunately, I came across it after studying the other books and still not feeling that I had a full understanding on deck construction and design options. Schuttner's book lives up to its opening dedication: "...to all those who desire to do the best they can."Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Decks (Architecture, Domestic)    3. Design and construction    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Home Maintenance And Repair    7. House & Home    8. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    9. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - Patios & Decks    10. Outdoor Structure Construction    11. DIY    12. Greenhouses, conservatories, patios    13. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Reviews (8)

$1 per square foot margin
For eight years, Lee averaged 110 cubic years of compost per season.Each year Lee added 5,000 square feet of garden.The idea was to cash in on new farmer markets in Boston Neighborhoods.In 1988, Lee had nearly one acre planted and grossed $36,000 and that average out to 50 hours a week or 12 an hour.Don't be afraid of creating too much competition.Growers are currently only serving 1 to 3 percent of the market with organic foods.The number of acres dedicated to growing organic foods amounts to less than 1 percent of the national agricultural land base.Organic foods include more than 200 varieties of vegetables, 1,000 varieties of flowers, and close to 100 different herbs, several distinct growing methods, and at least 10 prime marketing methods.97 percent of the market buys from the supermarket.
Take in $36,000 From Your One-Acre Garden
After five years of backyard gardening and selling his produce, author Andrew W. Lee took in $36,000 from his one-acre garden.That is quite an increase from the $1,700 he made in his first year in addition to that being one VERY productive acre!This is a very good book, covering nearly everything a farm marketeer might want to consider before starting a garden and setting up a roadside stand.If you are considering venturing into the lucrative business of growing and selling your own produce, this book will be valuable.
Great information for gardeners hesitant to sell their product.
I found this book very informative, inspiring and motivational.I have been gardening for 7 or 8 years (started when corporate America was killing me)just for relaxation.Now I am retired and have a very big garden, but more than my family and my neighbors can eat. I'm seriously considering a greenhouse, but before such an investment needed some research.This book really helped me make the decision to proceed with the greenhouse. Our Farmers Market kicks in next week and I can't wait.This book will make you think of things you hadn't considered, the ups and downs.I really enjoyed it. Wish me luck! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - General    2. Fruit-culture    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. General    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Organic farming    7. Truck farming    8. United States    9. Vegetables   

Reviews (4)

A "go to" book . . .
If you are interested in collecting and growing "fat plants" this book is an absolute must. I find myself just flipping through the book and looking back over the amazing pictures from time to time. The book also offers good general information on purchasing and growing pachyforms.

A must have book
A must have book for everyone who's into this kind of plants. A great guide for beginners and pro's. Can't wait for the next one coming out.

Un très bon livre
Un livre qui devrait faire partie de la biblioth�que de tout amateur de plantes � caudex! Beaucoup de photos tr�s repr�sentatives de ces plantes cultiv�es en pots ou conteneurs, des conseils de culture bien choisis. Au Jardin Naturel nous connaissons bien ce type de plantes et ce livre est un excellent outil pour que nous progressions dans le domaine.
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Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Reference    5. Techniques   

Reviews (5)

A fantastic book for a very much loved park
Did you know that the elm lined mall leading to the Bethesda fountain and the view of the ramble are actually based on the layout of a church? Or that all of the lakes in Central Park are manmade. This and many other very interesting facts are interspersed with lovingly taken photographs of the park which were taken by the author of the book as well. Miller starts decribing how the park came to be and the leading ideas and ideals that lead to its creation by Olmsted and Vaux. She proceeds to describe systematically the various sections of the park providing historical information as well. She delves into the some of the controversies and compromises that Olmsted and Vaux encountered in the creation of one of the finest examples of 19th Century art but it is not a comprehensive history of the park. There is a 2 page map of the park at the of the book with a legend identifying each of the features discussed in the book. If you are first time visitor to the city wishing to explore the park in detail or a life long New Yorker this book will delight and surprise you.

Definitive Review of the Finest Work of Art in NYC
As an avid fan of Central Park who has been exploring it and studying the books on it for decades, I was amazed at what there was still to learn about it from Miller's book. For example,other historians allude to a connection between Central Park's design and the Hudson River School of landscape art: Miller provides actual sources of the designer's inspiration and shows the results explicitly in the photos. And all in a way that is not at all "bookish" but instead makes you want to go right in and see for yourself the scenes she shows so well in the book's illustrations. The beautiful photos and fascinating stories and the well chosen historical prints all work together in such a compelling and entertaining way that one might never realize one is being educated by a superb textbook in the field of art.
New York's Oasis
Central Park is breath taking and this book does a fine job of giving the reader a feel for what makes this 850 acre masterpiece so special.The book is quite thorough and does an commendable job of disecting various sections of the park.The color photos are vivid and well thought out and the text is highly informative.The author has a real love for the park and it comes out in her writing.If you have never visited Central Park or have visited and fell in love with it like so many others, you will love this book.This oasis really is the heart of New York City and to understand New York you have to understand the parks historyand its vast importantance to the city.Central Parks importance to New York and New Yorkers cannot be overstated, I can't imagine the city without it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Central Park (New York, N.Y.)    2. Description and travel    3. Gardening    4. Gardening/Plants    5. History    6. Landscape    7. New York (N.Y.)    8. Parks & Campgrounds    9. Pictorial works    10. Travel - United States    11. United States - Mid Atlantic - New York City    12. Architecture / Landscape    13. City & town planning - architectural aspects    14. Local history    15. New York