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Best buy books!
Budsgardens2012
Posts: 18
in Plants
Good morning everyone! I am an immensely keen gardener and would place myself in the competent bracket however I am always keen to learn more. Particularly identifying plants, understanding their preferred habitat (soil type, shade/semi shade etc), pruning requirements and I am looking for a book which may cater for this and perhaps even a bit more. Visual aids a must! I have spent most of my working life jumping on trains at 6.00 in the morning to travel into London and finally said enough is enough, handed in my notice and now work for a small local garden maintenance firm and I love it! I need to read, practice and study so I can achieve my main goal which is to become my own boss one day. So, in summary, what would you recommend as good books to start with? Thanks in advance!
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hi, buds i'm a newbie really, everything i've learned is from here, gw programme, and the newish alan titchmarsh 'how to' books, got 5 in series, sit and read when little ones feeding / napping i think they're excellent really easy to follow
You need the gardener's bible - RHS A to Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shrubs-garden-plant-Roger-Phillips/dp/0330302582
There's a whole range of books by these 2, perennials, annuals, bulbs etc. Good illustrations and where they come from which gives a good indication of what they need.
Also Christopher Lloyd, earlier books rather than later, very informative and a good read.
and Bamboogie's RHS book
In the sticks near Peterborough
Maybe a good idea is to go to your public library and look at their books. Once you have found something that appeals to you in its style and content, then it is worth buying your own - or asking for it as a gift come birthdays or whatever. Many gardening books are very expensive, and some just not suitable for everyone - as yet, libraries are free - and if we don't use them they will disappear.
Hi Buds, I am a newcomer like many on here and I have got some of my best books from our local charity shops - including RHS, Readers' Digest and Dr Hessayon's stuff - usually for about 50p or £1 each. Newer books such as some of the ones mentioned by others above here have been on my birthday and Christmas lists and I too recommend the RHS Encyclopedia of Garden Plants - I read it nearly every night like a saddo! Enjoy and good luck - I admire and envy your career change, wish I had the courage!
The RHS Encyclopedia; 2 volumes, keeps my biceps in trim as I consult them often. The only prob; new plants are being developed all the time. So when I go mad and buy something; the actual plant is not in the book, only it's relatives.
I'm sure some enterprising 14 year old will develop an 'app' that constantly updates the RHS plant books
For veg; 'The vegetable and plant expert'
For lawns; get a husband and let him deal with it! Otherwise have a tiny lawn.
I agree with Bamboogie the R.H.S Dictionary A to Z is the ultimate reference book.If you are serious, worth the money.
Mike W
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Beth Chattos series of books are good to study for what to plant in dry area, or damp areas, etc. Also I love anything by Christopher Lloyd.
DK books publish three books which I have RHS Good plant guide, RHS Plants for Places, RHS Pruning guide they are pocket size too so would fit in your butty bag. They are very informative. I keep the pruning guide in my car all the time as occasionally I would come across a shrub or tree that I hadn't pruned before, now there isn't many trees and shrubs that I haven't pruned in customer's gardens. Having the pruning guide will ensure your pruning at the right time and how much to take off. You can pick some good books up cheap at car boot sales. The RHS also have a good website.