American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening

This is a beautiful book with a wealth of information! Whether you're new to gardening or are a seasoned gardener, this book has all your answers. Highly recommend!

Very large book full of so much information like a garden dictionary, lots of pictures, glossy pages, well written book, great for quick reference. I have both by this publisher, a good pair to have for reference. Heavy book, good binding, should last for years and pass this along. Tons of ideas.

It's is worth the money. It is the single most comprehensive book on Gardening. I know it does not give super detailed descriptions of every plant out there. Their supplemental book can help you with that. Buy this one first. When I built a greenhouse, this book have several pages on construction, types of materials, venting, watering systems, cooling, hydrating, you name it, it was covered. When my neighbors pine tree was getting a white pithy coating on the lower leaves, this book described the problem to a T, and had several methods of curing it. No matter where I go, in irrigation, propogation, seed starting, grading, setting up a bed, identifying which plants work, where, when, and in what kind of soil, climate, etc., this book is there. They must of had a zillion contributing editors-authors create this work, because nobody knows everything this book has to offer. It is big, it is well illustrated, and a definite must have for any gardener. It is even a great read during the winter, for planning your spring garden. Even at this price, it is about twice what other books cost, but it is 5 times the book. It's a bargain. In the long run it will save you money by avoiding costly mistakes. I highly reccomend it.

This book as a reference is great. It provides me, the novice and working my way up gardener, with a great source for understanding the fundamentals of gardening. However, I think I'm going to purchase one of its sister books, American Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. The A-Z provides more details about specifc varieties which can be helpful when you're selecting plants for your garden or simply trying to learn more about a specific plant. I believe the A-Z also contains much of the information contained in this one altough it is not as encompassing from a general perspective.

I am amazed by DK photography. How do they do it? The photographs are stunning and live up to the DK name! There are over 3,000 specially commissioned color photographs. If you want a book to inspire you to get out into the garden, this one will tempt you to the couch first. You will want to pour over the pages and read all about designing an herb or rock garden. Did you know there is a "tomato tree?" How amusing. They are actually called tamarilllos. The floating garden picture with beautiful pink water lilies was about as much as a gardener could handle for inspiration. The pictures of the nine waterlies were amazingly beautiful. If you want to construct a pond, there are step-by-step pictures. A chart for shrubs gave the names for shrubs with aromatic foliage or fragrant flowers. If you are looking for a book to define gardening, this is it. This is the most comprehensive guide to practical gardening techniques for every level of gardener. I am quite new at gardening and felt a bit confused as to which book I should buy. This book has it all. It was compiled under the expert editorship of Christopher Brickell from the Royal Horticultural Society, Elvin Mc Donald, Trevor Cole and a expert team of over 50 professional gardening specialists. Here is a book that shows you how to plan and implement every gardening technique. You will feel as confident planting a tree as you will hybridizing a rose. The 400 step-by-step photographic sequences, easy-to-follow text and up-to-date information makes this a gardener's dream. The first section of the book gives detailed information on garden planning and design. The second section explains how to maintain a garden. In the first section you will enjoy reading about garden planning, ornamental trees and shrubs, climbing plants, rose gardens, perennials, annuals and biennials, rock gardens, bulbous plants, water gardens, cacti and other succulents, lawn care, herb gardens, vegetable gardens, fruit gardens and indoor gardens. The second section gives detailed information on tools and equipment, greenhouses and frames, structures and surfaces, climates, soils and fertilizers, principles of propagation, plant problems and basic botany. A nice section of Seasonal Reminders is only two pages, but really covers everything. The glossary helps to define gardening terms and the index saves you time when you are looking up information on everything from planting bulbs to improving soil fertility or looking up a name like "Hydrocleys nymphoides" or Water poppy. The ultimate reference for anyone who loves pictures and wants the best gardening information on the planet. Forget the rest...DK has the best! The pages are smooth and almost glossy. The binding is wonderful and you will be purchasing a book which will last a long, long time! ~The Rebecca Review

I have found this book to be the most comprehensive book ongardening; this would include searches at the local public library.illustrations, drawn or photographed, direct steps in just about any horticultural facet, from soil to propagation to storage of harvests. if you are serious about planting, grafting or sustaining plants, this is an invaluable resource. it is a garden/plant library in one book!

In a practical, easy to follow format, the Encyclopedia of Gardening packs enough information to answer almost every question a weekend gardener could ever ask. It is not a technical, difficult book; instead, it is aimed at the average layperson, and it treats its readers with respect by presenting useful information in a no nonsense manner.