3.87

4

Nov 08, 2016

You live in the city, on a rectangular lot. You don't need a book about how to landscape a multi-acre estate. This is the book you need. Yards.

Surprisingly, there aren't that many good landscaping books devoted to urban yards. This is the best one I've found. It goes over the typical principle of landscaping as they can be applied to smaller spaces. It had some helpful tips on repetition and picking harmonious plants that I haven't seen in other landscaping books.

Cons: California-centric. You live in the city, on a rectangular lot. You don't need a book about how to landscape a multi-acre estate. This is the book you need. Yards.

Surprisingly, there aren't that many good landscaping books devoted to urban yards. This is the best one I've found. It goes over the typical principle of landscaping as they can be applied to smaller spaces. It had some helpful tips on repetition and picking harmonious plants that I haven't seen in other landscaping books.

Cons: California-centric. Dwells a little too much on drawing bubble diagrams for my taste. (Lazy me sayeth, "I am not doing all that!") Suggests measuring your lot and getting a city-drawn plan. Well, maybe if you are planning some serious fencing or hardscape and don't know where your property line is. Otherwise, just go to Google maps and get the satellite view of your house and call it good.
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5

Nov 11, 2016

I really like this book. It's helpful and full of logic that is easy to apply to your own scenario.

At first I thought it was a children's book by the size and by the photo/illustration to text ratio. But it is indeed meant for those who are trying to design a garden or at least, put more thought into it as in have in the past. The author also maintains a funny blog about horticultural nightmares which is sheepishly funny in and of itself.

4

Feb 28, 2016

Great intro to how to make your yard a place you love. Inspired me to get started!