5 comments about The Grape Grower: A Guide to Organic Viticulture.

1. I bought this book as a gift for my dad, and he said that it was a great resource that used a lot of plain language, not jargon. He also said that there's a lot in the book that he never plans on using, but that parts of it were really good. If nothing else, I'd say it makes a great gift for the grapes/wine enthusiast.



2. Great book and reference. Good seller correspondence.



3. This book has taught me everything I need to know - after several aborted attempts at growing grapes over the years, I now have great vines that bear wonderfully. Thank you!



4. This is a very well written and easy read book on growing all types of grapes. Details of picking, planting, preparing are all spelled out in great detail. We are entertaining the idea of putting in a vineyard and this book has given us a lot of knowledge of what we need to do and how to do it.



5. After growing grapes casually (ornamentally, really) for the past five years, we somehow in a drought year came up with an outstanding crop of the most delicious grapes. Seeing some potential for our 40 acres, I recently invested in a small library on grape growing and winemaking, and find this book to be first-class. It is very straightforward and gives a great introduction to the growing of grapes in general, with enticing tangents about grape propagation and breeding. I did not find the book burdened by the "organic" in the title. He offers a wide variety of solutions to grape growing problems, and while his philosophy favors organic methods, I didn't find the book awkwardly tied to only those solutions. I thought it was very balanced.

5 comments about Country French Florals & Interiors (Home Reference).

1. Not as great as I thought - a bit disappointing - decor a bit stuffy and
   outdated.



2. I can't get enough of Charles Faudree......I have his other two books & this one is a wonderful addition to the continuing process of his being ahead of the curve.
   
   I travel often & his decor accents are all globally purchased...has to be since I only see them in the exotic countries I travel to. I am impressed that he decorated a gorgeous Spanish Mansion & wish I could afford to hire him for my plantation.
   
   Happy Reading & Be Inspired!



3. Another wonderful book by Charles his taste is a inspiration to home owners. I was very pleased to see that he kept the wonderful Tole Figures in his own home, that he purchased from me. Ted



4. I have been a Charles Faudree fan for years and eagerly awaited the publication of his first book, then second and now third. Every time I go to Tulsa, I make it a point to go to his shop and try to absorb some of the class and style that is such an inherent part of his design philosophy...and I have managed to purchase a bauble or two to add to my own decor. This trip we were fortunate enough to meet Toni Garner at her shop. She's friendly, helpful and her shop smelled like heaven. She was in the midst of a move to a new location and was obviously trying to get a very large order out the door, but she graciously took time to chat about the book with us.
   
   The interiors shown in this book probably don't show us much new about French Country design, but the main theme of this book isn't necessarily the interior design, but it serves as a showcase in the use of incredibly beautiful flowers to enhance the overall beauty of these rooms. If a book makes me yearn to step through the pages and take up residence in the houses it chronicles, then it's a winner for me.



5. I bought this book expecting so much more and I was very disappointed. The pictures are lovely but I've seen them before and the text is nothing new. This is a book formed out of all the stuff that was on the cuttingroom floor from the last books. Save your money and buy gas for your car.

5 comments about How to Build Your Own Greenhouse.

1. I am always looking for ways to improve my gardening and this book offers excellent instructions on building several different types of greenhouses.



2. Any who would build a greenhouse will find HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN GREENHOUSE: DESIGNS AND PLANS TO MEET YOUR GROWING NEEDS offers up the hope of year-round gardening as it explores a range of greenhouse designs and options, from simple cold frames to elaborate freestanding tropical constructions. Chapters cover basic freestanding and extension designs for greenhouses, include lean-tos and garden shed blends, and discuss not only construction of independent structures, but how to incorporate them into an existing home. From floor to ceiling options, HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN GREENHOUSE covers it all, includes design tips and basic plans, and is a pick for any library strong in homeowner's or gardener's construction references.



3. I originally bought this because I am thinking about making a greenhouse. The book is very comprehensive with lots of drawings and pictures. It was well worth the investment.



4. I finally "sprang" for this book because I read a good review on a garden club website. It is a wonderful book on all aspects of greenhouse design. I am sure glad I spent this money before we started spending the serious money, and hard work, on the real thing.



5. If you're operating a small or a LARGE greenhouse - this will be your "bible"...... for operation.
   
   I have 2 copies! In the house and greenhouse.

5 comments about Teaming with Microbes: A Gardener's Guide to the Soil Food Web.

1. Despite the short length of this book, it was packed with lots of good information and was easy to read. It brought to my attention aspects of fungi versus microbial activity that I was never aware of and how these affect soil quality for gardens versus shrubs. The book has had an immediate payback for me, as I am a novice composter and now know how to do that better. It also described compost teas which I was only vaguely familiar with. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in gardening in an earth-friendly way or to those who have relied solely on inorganic fertilizers and need to learn their true effects.



2. I love this book! I raise red wiggler worms and lecture on worms and composting. This book has added to my interest and fascination with worms and now with worm/compost tea. I will use it as part of my lectures and recommend it in my classes and lectures.



3. A beautifully written book. This book is simple and highly informative. It is a must read for everybody who is interested in organic gardening. Once you have read the book you will have a deep appreciation and understanding of soil.



4. This is a detailed description of organisms in the soil, what kind you need for different types of plants, and how to get and keep them. It explains why organic gardening is more efficient, and eventually an easier way to grow. It is well written and informative.



5. This book is not for everyone. The first half as the author refers to it is a science book in every meaning. Details, facts, vocabulary are all present. I've had a fair amount of science in college but never in this area. I'll admit it was a bit slow at the start. But once you get to the second half it all falls into place. When he starts to discuss different composts, you understand what is in them, what purpose they serve, because he's already given you the background.
   
   Cons not for everyone.

5 comments about The Busy Person's Guide to Preserving Food: Easy Step-by-Step Instructions for Freezing, Drying, and Canning.

1. I used this book when i was just starting to learn how to can, and it was a savior. Provides detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to can, freezer, and dry store. Also contains great basic receipes to get you started.



2. I LOVE THIS BOOK, IT HELPS YOU KNOW WHAT THE FASTEST WAY IS TO SAVE THAT EXTRA VEGTABLE EXTRA WITH OUT DOING ALOT OF READING, IT TELLS YOU ALL THE METHODS FOR EACH ITEM AND WHAT KIND OF RESULTS TO EXPECT. I ALSO LOVE THE RECEPIES IN THE BACK OF THE BOOK. MY FRIENDS KEEP BORROWING IT AND ENDING UP GETTING THEIR OWN COPY!!!



3. The Busy Person's Guide to Preserving Food: Easy Step-by-Step Instructions for Freezing, Drying and Canning is an excellent resource if you need help learning how to preserve food. It gives the preferred preservation method for all different types of fruits and vegetables then also gives alternate methods for each as well. You can definitely preserve produce you buy locally as well as produce you grow using the methods in this book even if you have never done so before.



4. This book is full of great info, giving different preserving options for the veggies and fruits most frequently harvested by home gardeners.
   
   But if you, like our family, prefer to NOT cook food, especially your organically grown veggies, in plastic "boiling" bags, then you might find some of the advice as frustrating as I did.
   
   Overall, a great starting point, but I'm going to look elsewhere for canning and freezing advice.



5. I ordered serval books about preserving food and this one was the best. Easy to read and a good starter book for preserving vegtables and herbs.
   This is our third year tiling our garden and the most abundant.
   
   Gardening in Massachusetts

5 comments about Landscaping with Stone (Home Landscaping).

1. I love the full color pictures - it gave me all sorts of ideas. I just wished there were a few more pages on "How to do it" I'd recommend this book though for the price - it was awesome.



2. Beautiful book, well put together, LOTS of pictures. I especially liked the way the author covered different styles of stonework. I'm not a fan of very formal design and he included examples of more informal, earthy landscaping.



3. What beautiful and innovative designs this book has. My husband and I wanted to landscape much of our property with stone. We actually did more than planned because we were so impressed by much of the ideas in this book. A concern of ours was the price. Much of the simpler projects you find you can do yourself (such as the small retaining wall around the garden), which saved on additional labor costs. We were guided which stones to use, and stones that could be found around the property. For the work that was a bit more extensive we called in a professional and showed him from the book what we wanted. He was very much impressed with this book himself.



4. Pick this up if you are always at Menards, Home depot, or you just like to play with rocks, on a friday night. It did occur to me after I read this, that my friends may think that I am wierd, because I read a book about rocks and how to place rocks, all on a...you guessed it...FRIDAY NIGHT! LOL! I am not cool!



5. From single stone placements to walkways, patios and garden rooms, this book will provide you with endless ideas and inspiration. The instructions are thorough yet easy to follow. A must for a resplendent garden!

5 comments about Mushroom Cultivator: A Practical Guide to Growing Mushrooms at Home.

1. I was very pleased with the prompt service and timely delivery. I received the book ahead of time to present as a gift. Thank you



2. Wow... I Am Very Impressed By The Content Of This Book... Very Comprehensive... Everything You Need To Know About Mushroom Cultivation Is There; Home Or Commercial... It's No Wonder Why They Call It "The Bible."



3. Im very new to cultivating mushrooms at home. I tried many different approaches and information found on the web about the subject, but had many dissapointments. After I read this book I am now aware of the many bad turns you can take that will drive you mad. Now I am very happy, everything is going onroad, thanks to Paul Stamets and his knowledge. This book is a MUST buy for anyone interested in growing mushrooms in small or big scale.



4. This book does give you a lot of basic information. However, "Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms" would probably be a better choice if you intend on trying to grow mushrooms.



5. Being my first book on mushroom cultivation (not to mention the mushroom industry), this book was really awesome. The book is quite technical yet easy to understand. The amount of information is just right for a beginner like me, to have an indepth understanding of mushrooms. It is a MUST read for all mushrooms enthusiast!

No comments about Jane Packer's Guide to Flower Arranging.

3 comments about Sustainable Landscape Construction: A Guide to Green Building Outdoors, Second Edition.

1. an excelent overview of the sustainable approaches to landscape design, a good basis to start thinking and acting sustainably in the landscape



2. Time has changed. A few years ago, few people knew about sustainable design and construction, green buildings or LEED. Today, sustainable design and construction has gone mainstream. How do we know? We actually have clients asking us to design a LEED certified building or do a sustainable landscape design. Architecture and landscape architecture are knowledge-based, service-oriented professions. Architects and landscape architects have to catch up and become experts in sustainable design and construction, green buildings and LEED to be able to provide the necessary professional service to the clients.
   
   "Sustainable Landscape Construction: A Guide to Green Building Outdoors" is one of the best books on sustainable design and construction. It covers 10 principles of sustainable landscape construction: keep healthy sites healthy (preserve topsoils and existing trees, minimize construction damages, etc.), heal injured sites, favor living, flexible materials, respect the waters of life (understand, protect and restore wetlands, restore rivers and streams to full health, collect and conserve water, reuse gray water, etc.), pave less (reduce paving, reduce runoff from paving, use porous paving, etc.), consider origin and fate of materials (Use local, salvaged or recycled materials, avoid toxic and non-renewable materials, etc.), know the cost of energy over time, celebrate light, respect darkness (lighting efficiency and light pollution control), quietly defend silence (various ways of noise control), and maintain to sustain (alternate to mowing, bio-based maintenance products, etc.). Each principle is demonstrated with case studies and followed by resources for further studies.
   
   "Sustainable Landscape Construction: A Guide to Green Building Outdoors" has 416 pages and many line drawings and interior black-and-white photos. It is one of the most comprehensive books on sustainable landscape construction.
   
   Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated," LEED AP, AIA



3. This book is very lengthy and full of information, but unlike typical textbooks, it is not overly 'heady' nor boring... Each chapter is quite long (50 pages approx.) and the words are quite small, yet you can sit there for four hours straight and still be interested in what is on the next page!? The only thing that would make this book better would probably be color pictures (there are a good amount of informative pictures, yet they are all black and white). Great book for anyone in the construction industry...very interesting!

3 comments about Stonescaping Idea Book (Taunton's Idea Book Series).

1. Lots of pictures, mortar and dry-stone, a little bit of everything. Makes you look at your yard with different eyes.



2. "Walks, pathways and steps play important roles around the exterior of the home. On a practical level, they offer a safe and comfortable means of approaching your house in all seasons and weather conditions. They also serve to connect your house with its surrounding landscape, providing a logical route to frequently used areas such as garages and outbuildings, or a more meandering route through gardens..." Andrew Wormer writes.
   
   He continues to discuss other aspects of stonescape, including paths, steps, sitting places, dinning places, outdoor rooms, garden paths and floors, poolside spaces, drystone walls, mortared walls, benches, sculptures, steams and waterfalls, entryways, driveways and transitions, and borders.
   
   "Stonescaping Idea Book" has six chapters: Paths & Steps, Terraces, Patios and Garden Spaces, Walls, Landscaping Features, Pools, Ponds and Fountains, and Finishing Touches.
   
   "Stonescaping Idea Book" has 144 pages and many beautiful and inspiring interior color photos. It is a must-have for stonescape lovers!



3. I loaned this book to my friend [we're both rockaholics]and she's having a hard time giving it back [maybe I should buy one for her]. I have acquired several books on stonescaping, building with rock, etc., this is one of the good ones, wonderful pictures too.