A Garden of One's Own

Serious gardeners need many kind of books, but one of the very first everyone should have is Elsa Bakalar's "A Garden of One's Own." She demystifies gardening so that a newcomer such as myself learns quickly how to do the many tasks that other books consider too rudimentary to explain. Her obvious talent for teaching is invaluable, and having her book at your side is almost as good as having a gardening tutor next to you. I refer to it often, and recommend it to anyone who gardens.