2 comments about Landscape Architecture, Fourth Edition.

1. This is really THE seminal instroductory book to landscape architecture. It's not really specific enough to be a true reference book, but it covers such a vast range of topics that it would be unrealistic to expect it to be. Instead, Simonds did a fantastic job of summarizing an amazingly broad field one subject at a time. Still, it is not so broad that the reader will fail to see the trees through the forest. It does include a lot of very helpful illustrations and explanations about such topics as spatial relationships and how they create different environments (and subsequently a particular design might be appropriate or inappropriate depending on the circumstances). But that is just one small sample of the kind of valuable lessons this book is filled with. I often start with this book when I approach a subject that is new to me because it gets me on the right track. In that sense, it's not just for beginners. And the 4th edition contains much-needed updates of the outdated photographs that are in the 3rd edition.



2. Simons is certainly an environmentalist, and I love that about him. This is the first text book I have enjoyed reading. He makes excellent points, though it isn't all totally workable. Generally a great book.

5 comments about Treehouses: The Art and Craft of Living Out on a Limb.

1. I was looking for something practical to help me design and build a tree house for my 5 year old. This is a great book if you want to consider "possibilities". It helped a little, as well in terms of providing conceptual designs. It was not as good in providing detailed plans on how to build a specific tree house. If you are an experienced builder you could probably take what they have here and develop your own blueprints. If you are a novice,and need detailed plans this book will not get you there.



2. This book is 90% inspiration and 10% technical information. I don't think that there is enough information for someone wanting to build their own treehouse, but if you already have one of those books, then this one is a good companion for inspirational purposes.



3. Great Book, with lots of great pictures. Some technical stuff also. Another book that has a little bit on building tree houses is called "Shelters Shacks and Shanties by D.C. Beard. I love tree's myself but for you tree huggers complaining about a few nails, sheesh, your houses are full of lumber. Look in the walls at the studs, under the floors at the joists, kitchen cabinets, dining room table and chairs, bedroom furniture, etc. etc. so don't worry about a few nails in a tree eh, they love the iron in them anyhow!



4. I found the drawings of treehouse construction principles helpful and potentially life saving. The photos were beautiful and inspirational. This isn't the only treehouse building book I will own, but it was a good one to start out with.



5. I'm not sure what to think about this book. Sometimes I read it with joy. At other times I wonder why I bought it. Nice pics, little advice on building.

4 comments about Cultivating Exceptional Cannabis: An Expert Breeder Shares His Secrets (Marijuana Tips Series).

1. Before you condsider wasting your money on Dj Short's book consider this: This book has nothing new it is just a compilation of Dj's articles that he wrote for cannabis culture, thrown together in an effort to make money. All of these articles can be found online at CC. The book looks as if it were thrown together in an hour, there are pages with only a sentence or two. There a few pictures that were also already in CC. Dj Short is respected in his trade as one of the best but he is not an author. If you want detailed information, this book is not the right one. I suggest reading one of Mel Frank's or one Ed Rosenthal's books.



2. This book has good information from a solid breeder and it looks good too. A crazy purple budding plant wraps around the entire cover and it looks tasty. Inside there's useful charts and illustrations. PLUS, the color photo section has some nice photos.
   Sure, this information has been in Cannabis Culture Magazine, but I don't have time to read through back issues and find all the articles (if I even saved them all). I like having all this information in one place.
   I like this book. If you want to know how to go about breeding and stabilizing marijuana, you will like this book. DJ Short knows what he's talking about. His writing style is casual and straight forward. The book answered all of my questions about breeding and had some interesting asides and thoughts from DJ Short. Good stuff.



3. First off, DJ Short is an unbelievable breeder. This guy is an artist, really, and I've been reading his stuff for years. So I guess you could complain that a lot of what's in here has been published elsewhere but even as a fan of the guy, I'm not going to spend all my time flipping through hundreds of magazines trying to find all his articles. So if you want to hear what Short has to say about anything and everything- and believe me, you should- this book is where to find it. Also, the pictures are phenomenal and only DJ Short would have a flavor and olfaction chart centerfold. You've got to love this guy.



4. This book will lead you to the bushel of buds at the end of the rainbow! It takes you through all of the necessary (and not always obvious) measures you need to take to grow some utterly mind blowing pot. DJ Short takes you on a magical cloud walk through the realms of safety and sprouting. From there you fly through the land of the dirt covered hands where you learn about all the aspects of raising a pot baby of your very own. Then, as you stroll across that wonderful rainbow, DJ discusses the many aspects of curing, and enjoying the bushel of pot that you are about to harvest. If you so desire you can stay and soak up DJ?s knowledge about breeding or cloning your little ladies, and even learn something about choosing the color of your flowers.
   
   I Give this book five stars from my cannabis sky because I?m on my way to the bushel at the end of the rainbow! Thank you DJ, I'll see you there!

2 comments about The Judith Blacklock Encyclopedia of Flower Design.

1. An absolute must-have for any aspiring floral artist. Contains all the information you could ever need, with clear text and great colour photos.



2. I am a flower-arranging novice and this book was recommended to me by someone who has run (for a couple of decades) one of the many NAFAS branches dedicated to flower arranging, after I complained that all the flower books from my library basically just had many pretty pictures that didn't really support me in creating good arrangements for myself, based on bunches I could get at the supermarket. I wanted a flower arranging book with principles and theories, a really good teaching book.
   
   I was more than impressed with this one: over two dozen classic and modern design principles for bigger arrangements plus easy-to-follow smaller ideas, examples of show-work, equipment and techniques, how to condition the plant material (vital if you want your arrangement to continue looking good for more than a couple of days), and much more. If you only want one book on flower arranging, this is it. For a collection, this is a must-add or a wonderful starting point.

5 comments about Landscaping With Tropical Plants (Sunset Series).

1. I recently bought 3 hort books from Amazon, this one is used daily.
   It's the best if you are looking for straight planning ideas and great colour & the price is right. :)
   I can't wait for Sunset's new edition of Western Gardens due out in Feb 07, & any new book by Monica Moran Brandies.
   
   Buy it, you won't be disappointed, along with Tropical Plants for Home and Garden by William Warren.



2. I found this book to be well organized, inspirational and informative with beautiful pictures of landscapes and common tropical plants. The book also gives tips on planting in general.



3. If you're like me, you prefer beautiful tropical landscape images over reading text about gardens. This book does an excellent job of that, particularly for the price. I regularly purchase books on tropical gardening, and what I don't want is another listing of plants, I can get that from the mail order catalogues. I like to see images of tropical environments that I can consider recreating, or views that show good tropical garden designs of actual plants (not drawn images). For the money, this book is well worth it.



4. If you are intending to get professional advicing on using Tropical plants avoid this book, however if you are planning your own home garden it is a very didactic and fun to read book.



5. Aimed at the temperate climate gardener with a yen for the tropical look, this book provides basic instructions and suggested plant selections. To maximize the chances of success, seasonal guidelines are suggested, along with ways of creating tropical gardens inside, and in sheltered spaces. Typical of the Sunset books, there are ample attractive photographs. The added bonus for the garden planner is the number of effective combinations shown, and an array of landscape ideas as well. Special care and treatment of these plants in cold climates is discussed. Includes a list of garden zones with maps, and an index. For further information on a number of these plants, see: Ornamental Plants & Flowers of Tropical Mexico.

5 comments about Merry Hall (Beverley Nichols Trilogy Book 1).

1. I first read Merry Hall over 30 years ago, and having recently re-read it I was impressed by how much an impression it had made on me. Many a time I have unknowingly quoted from the work, thinking the quote apocryphal!

   You must read for yourself how to deal with an overgrown holly hedge, and how to plant hundreds of trees without buying them, and what berberis can do for you, and why you should cultivate periwinkle...

   I'm sure you'll be delighted with the finely drawn sketches of the real people populating the story: the characters of gardeners, society ladies, and men who work for the government in a clearly covert and somewhat sinister capacity. You'll enjoy the cats, the lilies, and how to create an English country garden from a neglected and ill directed site.

   The gentle humor reflects the gentler times before the horrors of World War 2 brought violence, destruction, and death into the hearts and homes of most of Britain.

   This book is a keeper!




2. Just as Trollope passed the literary torch to Angela Thirkell, so did E. F. Benson pass his to this good fellow! Mr. Nichols' trilogy about Merry Hall is so entertaining, even though at times he comes across as a bit "twee". As you get to know him and his neighbors through the books, you come to realize that yes, some things are more important in your own blinkered surroundings than in the big wide world. I would recommend these books to anyone who loves gardening (on a grand scale), gossip, and the minutiae of life.



3. The first volume of a trilogy about the author's time at Merry Hall, this book is more humorous garden writing than strict autobiography. We know (primarily from the dust jacket) that Beverley Nichols was a widely-travelled journalist and prolific author, but aside from the occasional mention that he needs to keep working (hard) to pay the (very high) bills, Nichols doesn't mention his life outside of Merry Hall or, more specifically, its garden.
   
   The book begins after WWII, when Mr. Nichols returns from "a job" in India to a ravaged London and develops an overwhelming urge to move to the country and get back to nature in the form of a hopefully large and preferably derelict garden that he can "rescue". After a daunting (and amusingly described) search he miraculously finds what he considers to be a dream property - a Georgian manor house on 5 acres of truly hideous landscaping.
   
   With wry wit Nichols tells the story of acquiring the property against the better judgement of friends, and of what is involved in making a run-down manor house habitable, and in dismantling, re-ordering and re-planting 5 acres of gardens. Along the way we meet Oldfield, the very talented but taciturn and somewhat difficult gardener; Gaskin, the long-standing and nearly superhuman manservant; Miss Emily and Our Rose, nosy and perpetually disapproving neighbors; and the beloved cats One and Four.
   
   Although avid gardeners will no doubt love this book as they mentally compare notes with the author, one need not have ever dirtied one's hands with compost to enjoy reading it. The narrative meanders like a leisurely stroll in the garden, and Mr. Nichols' faith in the therapeutic powers of gardening is reminiscent of that in The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett). The author's fond and poetic descriptions of the various aspects of his garden, intermingled with his sharp social observations and dry British humor make this a thoroughly enjoyable read. I have already ordered the other two books in the trilogy.
   
   An additional note: this is a facsimile of the original 1951 edition; it contains lovely line drawings throughout, and is printed on the nicest paper I have encountered in a long time.



4. I want to give my honest opinion of this book. I have never read anything else by this author. While it was entertaining, I found it to get just a little more drawn out than I would have liked. I also did not like his viewpoints on some of the different plants. I guess you just need to take it in stride, but when he characterizes some of your favorite plants as nuisances (or more), etc. it is a little irritating. I did enjoy it, but I don't think I'll read him again. I wanted to give this review, since everyone seems to have LOVED this book but me.



5. One of the book catalogs that I occasionally get in the mail has been singing the praises of the late Beverley Nichols. Besides writing mystery novels, he also wrote about his adventures in renovating and resurrecting a home in the suburbs of London just after WWII. First published as a collection of magazine columns, he would later on assemble them into a trilogy of books.
   
   The first of the trilogy, Merry Hall details his search, at times frustrating, for the perfect house and garden. Very soon he became aware of what land agents (realtors for us Yanks) really meant in their ads, and he started to see his hopes plummet as his hopes were continually dashed. But one listing caught his eye, and with a good friend, he took the journey out of London to look the place over.
   
   The estate, spreading over five acres are a compendium of every gardening mistake. Ghastly ornaments litter the grounds -- the previous owner was very fond of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs). And the house, a lovely Georgian mansion, isn't much better. While it hasn't fallen down yet, there are 'additions' that are ugly and inappropriate, and decorating choices of colours that can be best left to the imagination. Not to mention the holly hedges, a stagnant stinking pond of unimaginable depths, and dire warnings from his friend that Nichols is about to step into a money pit that will sap his life and savings.
   
   Undeterred by such gloomy words, Nichols falls head over heels in love with his find, especially when he discovers the kitchen garden. Not only is it beautifully kept, but along one wall is a collection of exquisite lilies. Soon, he discovers why there is such order in the midst of such chaos. For along with the house and land comes Oldfield, an ancient gardener of superb talents. Smitten, Nichols signs for the house on the spot, and soon starts on that most dreaded adventure that most home owners endure -- renovations.
   
   With his 'valet,' Gaskin, and two cats, 'One' and 'Four' Nichols moves into Merry Hall, and starts the work with a great deal of gusto, and soon finds out that in his own little Eden, there's a few problems. For one, there are the neighbors, Miss Emily and Our Rose, forever scheming to get something out his prized gardens. And Oldfield, is quite another problem altogether. There are towering elm trees and their suckers, the dratted holly hedge (the solution to that one is not one that I would recommend!), and the question of what would you do if you could dream -- and dream big?
   
   I loved reading this book. I found myself entranced with Nichols writing about everyday life, the perils and delights of gardening, and living with cats. At times I was helplessly laughing at Nichols' searing wit and lofty views on post-War taste in Britain. He, quite frankly, doesn't give a hoot as to what people will think of him (save Oldfield, for very sensible reasons).
   
   Where this story shines, however, is not just in the language and Nichols' skills at writing. It's in his loving, vivid descriptions of flowers and plants, and I found my mouth watering, and desperate looks out at my own wilderness, wondering Could I do it too? The antics of his cats had me in nodding agreement, and plucking at my partner's sleeve and crying out, Listen to this --!
   
   Along with Nichols' wonderful prose, there are illustrations by William McLaren in black and white, along with several photographs of Beverley Nichols (including one with 'Four' in his arms). For this new edition, there is also a forward by Ann Lovejoy and an index of all of the plants by Roy C. Dicks. The book itself is a facsimile of the original edition published by Jonathan Cape in 1951. This new edition, only available in hardbound, is published by Timber Press books, and they can be reached at [...] for more reprints of Beverley Nichols books.
   
   In short, this is a book to delight any gardener, bibliophile or cat lover's soul. It's funny, at times sorrowful (I cried over 'Two' and 'Three's stories), and came away with a wistful hope that one day too, I would have a wee garden of my own. If you can't purchase this, do try to get your hands on this one at your local library. It is simply too good to miss.
   
   Five stars overall, recommended.

5 comments about Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Perennials: 10th Anniversary Revised and Expanded Edition.

1. I fell in love with the idea of beginning a perennial garden. The main part of it was to consist of groundcoverings as a lawn substitute. This book is lousy in that area... as a matter of fact it does not have a section that discuss, or even address groundcoverings. They are a significant part of perennials. The sample gardens were okay but I need a more thorough plan. I wanted to use the groundcovering and plant other gorgeous perennials around it.. with an emphasis on shaded areas. I instead hit the internet HARD. I was up all night sometimes researching shaded plants, preparing yard, planting and shaded garden ideas.
   
   The best resource is still the internet. It just takes a lot of patience. Oh I have a secret....instead of ordering from Jackson & Perkins and other fancy nurseries look at ebay. Yes EBAY!!!. After buying hundreds of dollars worth of vinca minor (periwinkle) plants I decided that it would cost a fortune to cover my yard. Don't forget I wanted to add Hostas, and other perennials etc. around the perimeter. When I plugged in the word "vinca minor" a lot of nurseries/stores that advertise on Ebay popped up. No they weren't necessarily biddable but to buy them was a dream. I ended buying 500 semi roots (with the root and some of the atual plant attached- fresh out the earth) for about $26.00. You heard me $26.00. I have a total different appreciation for Ebay now.
   
   Back to the book. Its okay, but I wasn't that thrilled. A better book was "Jackson & Perkins- Selecting, Growing and Combining Outstanding Perennials". Plus Borderes had it for $2.99 ( I mistakenly ended up buying 2 because I got so happy .lol) Another great book is "Gardeners Problem Solver, by Readers Digest". But the interesting thing is the book titled: "Botanica's Pocket Annuals & Perennials ---over 1000 pages & over 2000 plants listed" looked pretty much the same as Rodales.
   
   The only thing they said about vinca minor was not to plant it. This is not true. If you want a solid groundcovering that can withstand foot traffic, shaded areas, and trees with roots that grow outward then this plant is for you. Its not enough to say "don't plant". Tell the whole story, it would have taken a sentence or two. That "don't plant" groundcovering is one of the fastest and most ordered perennials. I wonder why that is... it and other "steppable" groundcovers or even an explanation of a perennial groundcovering would have been nice. SHAME ON YOU RODALES'S.
   
   Do as you wish, but beware. Enjoy your garden.



2. I purchased this for my wife. She had checked out an older edition from the public library and liked it a lot. She has been reading it at every free moment since it arrived and said it is the best book she's ever had on perennial gardening.



3. Highly recommended reference for both novice and long-time perennial gardeners! I like the alphabetical listing of plants (with pronunciation guide) and also appreciate suggestions for companion plantings.



4. I love references with great info, tips, and I love pictures. That's a big seller for me. Quality pictures with cultivar descriptions. This book delivers. It is one of my favorite perennial reference guides. I refer to it all the time. Inspirational pictures.



5. I wish there were more ideas for each soil type. I garden in clay and it is challenging.

1 comments about Smart Guide: Ponds & Fountains: Step-by-Step Projects (Smart Guide).

1. This paperback gives you the basics, step by step, for constructing a water feature. It doesn't overwhelm you with projects that you can't possibly complete. Good entry level book.

2 comments about Sprinklers & Drip Systems.

1. I have recently decided to equip my front and back gardens with drip irrigation, and was seeking some high-quality advice on the use of different types of emitters and sprinklers, as well as some saavy tips on setting up a system. What I got was a minimal discussion of the most basic aspects of drip irrigation. More space was spent on sprinkler systems (I should have guessed from the title). There was really nothing in here that I could not easily figure out myself.
   
   It could be useful to someone who is absolutely clueless about drip irrigation.
   
   I have said it before, and I find myself saying it again: Sunset Books have gone downhill. The new editions of their books are redone with scads of garden photographs. Gone are the highly instructional illustrations that used to characterize their books. If I can get previous editions of their books, I will do that. Unfortunately, drip technology is so recent that there really is no previous book by Sunset that covers it.
   
   I doubt if I will ever order a Sunset book online again, but only from a store where I can look through it beforehand.



2. I'm currently in a college class about landscape irrigation and have no prior experience with any type of sprinkler system. At 7 weeks into an 11 week term I've finally decided the instructor knows absolutely nothing about irrigation either as all we do in class is draw circles on graph paper with no explanations given as to the rhyme or reason of installation and use. In an act of desperation I ran to the library and picked up every irrigation book I could find and fortunately for me this was one of them. I realize the previous reviewer claimed that this book only provides basic information but for me that's exactly what I needed and it's been a huge help. Finally, I understand the various components that make up a sprinkler system, the termonology I wasn't quite sure about (from reading other inferior books) and the benefits/drawbacks of both sprinkler and drip systems. I wish I could have gotten away with just buying and reading this book instead of spending hundreds of dollars and enduring four hours a week for eleven weeks in a worthless class.

5 comments about Grand Canyon, The Complete Guide: Grand Canyon National Park.

1. One of the best Grand Canyon guide books I've seen. Useful for the first-time visitor as well as the experienced hiker.



2. This guide had beautiful pictures, detailed maps etc... It listed lodging but no reviews of lodging, just a glorified description. Had I not seeked out advice and reviews about lodging at the Grand Canyon, I would have been seriously disappointed. This book is more of a thick glossy brochure than an actual "guide" to help you plan a trip.



3. Out of all the Grand Canyon guides I bought, this one was my favorite.
   The color photos are amazing, and the background info about the
   canyon's history, geology and wildlife is fascinating. If you're going
   to Grand Canyon I would definitely recommend buying this book.



4. The Grand Canyon is universally acclaimed as one of the great natural wonders of the world. Now in a fully updated and beautifully illustrated third edition, James Kaiser's "Grand Canyon: The Complete Guide" is the ideal guide for novice visitors and a superbly informative reference for the seasoned visitor as well. A complete and 'user friendly' travel guide and planner for visiting the Grand Canyon, this ideal reference includes the Havasu Falls, topography maps, trail descriptions for both day trips and overnight hikes, mule rides, scenic flights, Colorado river trips, public campgrounds, historic lodges, the canyon's geology, native wildlife, history, and a great deal more. Compact and easily portable, "Grand Canyon: The Complete Guide" truly lives up to its title and is an invaluable addition to personal and community library travel guide collections -- as well as the supplemental reading lists of the armchair explorer!



5. This author gives a comprehensive overview of everything to do here. The photos are fantastic and I love the snippets of history too. I only wish he wrote more guides for other places.