Reviews (9)

Landscaping 101
This is a grand book with homes in differing sites in differing parts of the US.One can glean many ideas from the great photographs and text.Julie Moir Messervy's designs are elegantly simple and reflect her studies in Japan.This book is a real addition to the library of anyone interested in designing their landscape.

Wonderful Book- Susanka is the best!
Susanka is a great architect! Love it all and look forward to generating a whole new look for my entire property!

Many ideas for designing small areas near small houses
(4.5 Stars)I can see from the other reviews that there exist a wide range of opinions about this book.I fall on the high side, I suppose.I enjoyed the large number of photos and ideas for landscaping small areas - spots even - in the yard around a smaller home.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture, Domestic    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Garden Design    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardens    6. General    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Interior Design    10. Landscape    11. Landscape Architecture And Design    12. Landscape gardening    13. Philosophy    14. House & Home / General   

Reviews (9)

excellant book for the money
Well illustrated, informative,helpful,perfectly priced.I recomend this book to amateurs and veterans of this hobby, this is a beautiful book easily worth the money.

YOU CANNOT GO WRONG WITH THIS ONE
I have been a rather serious birder for well over fifty years now and when I first saw this book (it was a gift) I almost felt insulted...back yard birder indeed!Well, I was wrong...I admit it.I have actually enjoyed this one far more that several of the many hundred or so more technical books on the subject that inhabit my shelves.This is a wonderful quick reference and is quite well organized.I have interested grandchildern and I not when they are here, which is almost daily, they reach for this volume far more than any of the others.Sharing my passion and hobby with them is great and this work is a wonderful help tool.Recommend it highly.

Helps the Average Birdwatcher
"The Audubon Backyard Birdwatcher: Birdfeeders and Bird Gardens" is for the interested, but average birdwatcher. However, it might just inspire the reader to take it a level higher.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Bird feeders    2. Birds    3. Birds & Birdwatching - General    4. Garden Design    5. Garden Furnishings    6. Gardening to attract birds    7. Identification    8. Nature    9. North America    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Sale Books   

Reviews (12)

Courtyards: Aesthetic & Function
"Courtyards: Aesthetic, Social, and Thermal Delight" begins with a brief history of courtyards including itemized accounts of such topics as placement within a building, orientation, exposure, and the promotion of temperature conditions within a courtyard.
Couryards: Interacting with nature
I got this book several years ago on an inter-library loan from NDSU.It's a great book.The only problem is that it's relatively expensive -- $60 or so.
Honest Reviews?
Were all the reviews written by the author? Give me a break! The fact that every review sounds the same will keep me from ever purchasing this book. In that case, I guess all the reviews helped! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Architecture And Energy Conservation    3. Architecture And The Environment    4. Architecture and climate    5. Courtyard gardens    6. Courtyard houses    7. Design & Drafting    8. Garden Design    9. General    10. Landscape    11. Architectural structure & design    12. Architecture / Design & Drafting    13. Garden design & planning    14. History of specific subjects   

Reviews (7)

United States to Great Britain: Shared Style
This book takes the reader from the style of America in the early years of the 20th century to the life she created in Britain.Many aspects of style were shared in the two countries, but many are unique to each.It is interesting how Nancy Lancaster blended the two worlds into a grand country style that was appreciated by both.Her childhood home in Virginia was her inspiration throughout her life and helped set the style she was so well known for.

Adrift in the Cozy, Comfortable, Tasteful English Tradition!
Martin Wood is an excellent biographer and chronicler of style and in this richly illustrated monograph on Nancy Lancaster he makes use of his own credentials as a garden designer and interior designer to praise the virtues of a lady few of us know.
A true pleasure
One of the most beautifull and funny books I've read in recent years. A must have for any interior decoration fan. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Garden Design    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Home furnishing & decoration    6. Interior design   

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 (18)

making concrete garden ornaments
this book is so easy to follow! i have made so many cool things!if you think concrete is just for sidewalks,think again.this book really opens up new horizons you had never thought about.

I love it!
This is a great book, with lots of information. Even if you have never worked with concrete before this book makes it easy. I highly recommend this book! I was right out the next day making things. ENJOY!

Great!
I am a true beginner working with concrete.I wanted information on making stepping stones and I found this information and a whole lot more!It was written for anyone to be able to understand and start projects immediately.You won't be dissappointed if you purchase this book.I love it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Do-It-Yourself - Masonry    3. Garden Furnishings    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. House & Home    6. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    7. BG-JUVENILE PROP - BG-JUVY ACTIVITY    8. Building skills    9. DIY    10. Garden design & planning    11. House & Home / Outdoor & Recreational Areas    12. Sculpture   

Reviews (1)

Big book, big gardens, big budgets
This coffee table book features private gardens and estates of the wealthy who have the funds to hire the most talented garden designers in the world to realize their visions. Most of the gardens featured are in the U.S. although a few are in England and Japan. Chapters are divided by varying styles, such as classicism, traditionalism, naturalism, cottage garden, modernism, etc. It is an eclectic collection, from minimalist elegance to lush romantic woodlands. Sculptures, art work, water features and stone work are a feature in many.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Garden Design    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Gardens    6. Landscape    7. Landscape Design And Planting    8. Reference    9. Gardening / General    10. Gardens (descriptions, history etc)   

Reviews (3)

A practical yet beautiful guide. Indispensable.
Like many others I have long craved the simplistic beauty & calming ambience of japanese garden design thinking I could neither afford bringing in professionals nor summon the skill to execute one myself........then i bought this book. Using Mr Sawano's expert guidance & exquisite knowledge to easily lead me through my own design project i have created my very own dream garden. I have loved every minute of the process -so much so that I have even volunteered to make over my friends garden for him!! The books still sits proudly on my coffee table, but even better is that through my window I have the real thing to enjoy. I am so looking forward to my first summer with it.

Interesting, even for non-gardeners
I think of this book as Japanese Gardening for Dummies. I'm not a particularly experienced gardender however I was able to follow how and what I should do to create my Japanese garden and, just as importantly for me, why I should do this.
The easy way to have your own Japanese garden!
I've always wanted to have my own Japanese garden but whenever I bought a book on the subject it was just too complicated and complex to understand. Takashi Sawano has managed to write a book for those of us who aren't borngardeners!It's easy to understand and now I have a fabulous Japanesegarden that all my friends rave about. I really can't recommend this bookenough. If you want an authentic Japanese garden that looks like it'sstraight out of Japan then buy this book and you can do it all on your own! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Japanese Gardens - General    5. Garden design & planning    6. Japan   

Reviews (10)

What a treat !
The book was a delight, and I enjoy reading it over and over. The gorgeous illustrations are a joy.Tasha has done exactly what she wanted to do in life...spend it simply, and creatively. She is such an inspiration, that I've bought several of her other books, as well as one of her videos, "Take Joy."

A great pick-me-up!
Absolutely loved this book! Just picked it up from the library today on a whim and couldn't put it down. Talk about a match made in heaven (Tasha and Richard). Tasha must have sensed Richard would do her justice, and he most certainly did. Even though this is a libary loan, I am buying this book for my own personal collection. Tasha's philosophy on life and her love for family, theater, crafts, animals, flowers and art was most infectious. I love how she is honest with herself and alludes to creating a paradise on earth, but also acknowledges that she is human and has made mistakes in life, which keeps it all very real. Use your good china, wear your antique clothing, collect vintage seeds and transport/replant your favorite fruit trees if you so desire. Progress with the new, but remember to go back and learn from the oldest, simplest ways of living, as it can afford many unforeseen treasures. Truly admired Tasha's pure connection with animals to the point where she even took in an infant snake and nursed it until it was too big to keep in the house any longer. Wow! Buy your flower bulbs in multitudes and plant them in clumps. See the beauties in the branches of the trees (clip some and take them indoors to enjoy). Smell the flowers. Buy a dog or several. Buy some birds (or 40). Create your own menagerie. Cook with a talking parrot on your shoulder. It's the little things, folks. Have you ever seen a moon-lit rainbow? I haven't, but will be on the look-out. =)I wanna stick my nose in dove feathers and plant flower bulbs at random -- in large clumps -- wherever I please. I wanna get a dog and feed it homemade soup instead of that trash in those metal cans. Tasha claims that lots of garlic in her soups keeps the dogs flea-free. Never too old to learn.I honestly agree with nearly everything Tasha touched on. Step outside of the box. Live life a little. Get back to basics. Note your likes and dislikes. Learn a new craft. Learn something new. Recite your favorite authors' works or poems. Learn to be self-sufficient. Live life to the fullest! No book has touched me like this in a long, long time. I am going to run out and get me a real nice, old bookshelf and start my own dollhouse rooms on each level. I've always wanted my own canoe, but Tasha has given me the courage to seriously look into it. Look at her skin and body.....if she can carry a canoe and buckets of fresh water on her shoulders, so can I at 35. I wanna use my best China and have a yard full of animals that know I love them and love me back. I just wanna be me and Tasha has helped me to see how important that is. Most of all, I want to pass on to my husband and kids that it is okay to be who you are, but always remain open to the simple, free joys we have been given in everyday life. All her books are great..this one is a gem
This was an early Christmas gift along with four other Tasha Tudor books and I LOVE it.Maybe because there is a bit of Tasha Tudor in me or because we live in a small cottage in the Sierras and have chickens, goats, vegetable, herb and flower gardens and love many of the same things she loves.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Garden Design    4. Gardening    5. Gardening/Plants    6. General    7. Illustration Of Books    8. Illustrators    9. Tudor, Tasha    10. United States    11. Gardening / General    12. Illustration   

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. House & Home    4. Landscape    5. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    6. Garden design & planning    7. Gardening / Landscape   

Reviews (4)

Great book for your bookshelf!
This book is great!I use it all the time and my pages have been dog-eared to death.Very useful and the pictures can give you some great ideas!I pull it out all the time, even just to look at the pictures.
Great guide for new gardeners
This has been one of my best purchases yet for gardening.From preparing the land to the final touches this book contains excellent detail.In addition, you have multiple plans for projects from gazebos to water fountains.I highly recommend this book.You will not regret the purchase.

REALLY IS COMPLETE!!!
They weren't lying when they said new complete guide! It has everything and more. It has really inspired me.The pictures are fantastic. They can give you ideas themselves. This book lets you know how to plan out your landscape, let's you use your imagination, and gives you choices and step by step instructions to make your landscaping dreams come true. I highly reccomend it. This is the best book out there! It has some excellent ideas! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Design    2. Garden Design    3. Gardening    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Gardens    7. Landscape    8. Landscape Horticulture    9. Landscape gardening    10. Garden design & planning    11. Gardening / Landscape    12. landscaping   

Reviews (2)

Essential Resourcefor the Healing Garden Designer
Beautiful organization, research examples to support common-sense recommendations, case studies with pictures, this superb book is the first stop for the healing garden designer.The case studies and design recommendations are grouped by health care setting, which makes the reading more focused.By far the best professional text on the topic.

Aplicaciones para la salud
Creo que es un buen punto de partida para comenzar a incluir en el dise�o del entorno y el paisaje pautas que incluyan un beneficio directo en la salud de quienes lo contemplan. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Allied Health Services - Occupational Therapy    2. Architecture    3. Gardening    4. Landscape    5. Landscape Architecture And Design    6. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation    7. Therapeutic use    8. Therapeutics (Specific Aspects)    9. Architecture / Landscape    10. Garden design & planning   

Reviews (5)

Extraordinary insights
This book is remarkable in at least three regards.First, it is so finely produced that we, as readers, can actually feel our way into the gardens it is showing us.Second, the principles of garden-making it offers us are profound, simple and flexible: we can see how the Mosko gardens emerge from them, and how our own might too.Third, and most unusual, it is deeply spiritual, coming from years of meditative practice in the Zen and Tibetan tradtions, as well as in unnamed native traditions of spirit.In the deepest sense this book is beauty as instruction.

landscape as spirit: creating the contemplative garden
this book's title, if the picture of the cover is real, is different from the Amazon title. who proof's this stuff?

Beautiful, Inspiring - a great gift
This gorgeously made and printed book will inspire ANY gardener or person who enjoys gardens. The photos take you into a world of amazing gardens. I'm not a garden nut, but I love a beautiful book and this one is on my coffee table. The writing is clear, creative, and very informative. This book is an excellent gift to anyone who loves architecture, design, or landscapes. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Garden Design    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Landscape    5. Spiritual    6. Crafts & Hobbies / Decorating    7. Garden design & planning    8. Mind, Body, Spirit   

Reviews (1)

Organic Architecture with Plants
Greenroof professionals and enthusiasts alike will be delighted with the easy reading and scope of content offered in "Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls" by Nigel Dunnett and No�l Kingsbury.Very well organized, the book's forte and major value is as an essential resource - especially in terms of plant description, characteristics and specification.It's also a great bargain in that the book is filled with color photos, drawings, charts and reference material.This indispensable hard cover reference guide contains a truly massive collection of appropriate plant information, and perhaps most importantly, extensive plant directories are provided for both greenroofs and fa�ade greening.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Container    2. Garden Design    3. Gardening    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Green roofs (Gardening)    7. Landscape    8. Ornamental climbing plants    9. Vertical gardening    10. Vines & Climbers    11. Gardening / Garden Design   

Reviews (13)

Wonderful Garden Resource
Going to the Garden Shop is an experience and if you are like me, want eveything in bloom at any given time. Perennial Combinations does a beautiful job combining color and bloom times so that you can easily plan your garden. There is sometime for every garden size, soil, and light exposue. Beside being practical the illustrations are breathtaking. I wish I had bought this book prior to planning my last garden!

Not for the beginner
I bought this book because this is the first time I've planted perennials and this book has a 5-star rating from the other readers. I have to say that as a beginner, I am completely stumped by the scientific names of the plants that are listed in this book. The photos are nice and the combinations are pretty, but trying to locate these plants at the local garden center - unfortunately employeed with teenagers who are not very familiar with horticulture - is the biggest challenge. At my local garden centers and nurserys it's difficult to locate these specific plants. Not only that, but there are such specific recommendations in the book that if one is not careful, it would be easy to purchase the wrong plant. For example: Phlox vs Early Phlox.
Still a star
PERENNIAL COMBINATIONS by Colston Burrell is another practical and increasingly beautiful Rodale publication (remember those older Rodale volumes printed on coarse pulp paper?).Although this book was published several years ago, it is still a mega-star as far as I am concerned--printed on slick glossy paper and filled with beautiful and clear photographs. The combinations I used worked for me then and they work now in my more mature garden.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Design    2. Floriculture    3. Flowers - Perennials    4. Gardening    5. Gardening / Horticulture    6. Gardening/Plants    7. Gardens    8. Landscape Design And Planting    9. Perennials    10. Planting design   

Reviews (4)

A good introduction for the would-be amateur stone mason
An excellent introduction for anyone who is interested in learning more about stone work and masonry.
Great starter book!
This book was better than I expected. I was hoping for color photographs, butit has B&W only. Doesn't get into a lot of details, but covers quite a few topics on the subject of stone masonry. I agree with previous review. Would have been great if the section on Mortaring Stone could have been more detailed. All in all, a good starting book to refer to.

Little bit of everything.
This book seems to have a bit of everything that has to do with traditional stone masonry. It shows how to build different types of buildings and objects. Pictures are only in Black and White. If your looking for a full colour glossy paged book on stone architecture this is not for you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Building, Stone    3. Construction - Masonry    4. Design & Construction    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Do-It-Yourself - Masonry    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Masonry    10. Stone    11. Garden design & planning    12. House & Home / Design & Construction    13. TECHNOLOGY / Construction / Masonry   

Subjects:  1. Construction - Roofing    2. Garden Design    3. Gardening    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Green roofs (Gardening)    7. Ground cover plants    8. Home Gardening    9. Landscape plants    10. Ornamental Plants    11. Gardening / Garden Design    12. Gardening: plants   

Reviews (1)

Make Your Own Mediterranean Garden
I read much of the book today. I was very impressed with the information the book had in it. I bought the book for a work related project and have recieved enough general information that I feel comfortable planning this type of garden for a client. The book told of many types of plant material that come from that region. I was extremely pleased with how the author wrote about how to amend the soil to make it as close as you can to their soil. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Garden Design    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Techniques    6. Garden design & planning    7. Gardening / Garden Design   

Reviews (64)

GREAT SELFHELP BOOK
I BOUGHT THIS BOOK FOR MY MOMS BIRTHDAY AND SHE LOVES IT. GIVES YOU GREAT TIPS ON GARDENING AND SOME EXTRA STUFF ALSO.

Great way to garden
I have been gardening for fifty years due to space I've went to raised beds. Should have done this years ago. Square foot methed even a better way to use your raised beds. Great book and info for any gardener.

Very informative!!
I'm a novice and have learned a great deal from this book. If you have never grown anything this book will take you from square one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Square foot gardening    5. Techniques    6. Vegetable gardening    7. Garden design & planning   

Reviews (3)

Review from someone who's not known as a handyman
I bought this book to build a 6' privacy fence.I didn't know the first thing about building a fence but this book takes you by the hand and walks you through each step.The author does a great job of keeping things simple for the reader/beginner and includes illustrations and photos to help you envision the process.I keep referring back to sections of this book as I continure to build.Highly reccomend this book to all beginners.

Fences:In thought, word, and deed.
"The Fence Bible: ..." by Jeff Beneke is an excellent, comprehensive guide. The title says it all, and the author delivers.Whether you want to build your own fence, or contract the project out this book can help you get it done right.

Fully lives up to its name
Jeff Beneke is an expert woodworker, house renovator, gardener, and author of more than a dozen highly commended home-improvement books designed specifically for the non-specialist general reader wanting to renovate, remodel, or otherwise improve their home and property values. The Fence Bible: How To Plan, Install, And Build Fences And Gates To Meet Every Home Style And Property Need, No Matter What Size Your Yard is Beneke's latest (and in many ways) his best "how to" title to date. This 272 page instruction manual is superbly illustrated with full color photographs and exemplary illustrations from cover to cover. If you want any kind of fencing on any kind of property, then The Fence Bible is the complete reference on how to build one whether you choose wood, stone, brick, concrete, mesh, wrought iron, living hedges, or anything else. Also available in a hardcover format (1580175864, $34.95), The Fence Bible is one reference that fully lives up to its name! Also very highly recommended from Storey Publishing is Peter Jeswald's How To Build Paths, Steps & Footbridges: The Fundamentals Of Planning, Designing, And Constructing Creative Walkways In Your Home Landscape (1580174876, $19.95, paperback; 158017-5759, $29.95, hardcover)
Read more

Subjects:  1. Design and construction    2. Fences    3. Garden Furnishings    4. Gardening    5. Gardening/Plants    6. History    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    9. DIY    10. Garden design & planning    11. Gardening / Garden Furnishings