Garden Projects in a Weekend

I have read several garden project books and none of them have satisfied me as much as this book does. Here are practical projects and ideas for small and small-ish gardens that go beyond decking and basic benches. I felt the book could have been a little more innovative, but overall, that it was creative and realistic.The book begins with basic information about the value of adding height, a terraced area, seating, paths, shelter, water, light, and a children's area to your garden, then offers tips on planning a garden out, working with what you already have. There's also a section on buying and using "hard landscaping" (like stone and gravel). Tips on choosing plants and using containers are given, too, along with info on laying a lawn down.Then we get on to the really good stuff: The projects. Here you'll find a "chamomile seat" (something mostly unknown in the U.S., but basically a seat with herbs growing in it that will release a wonderful fragrance when you sit down), a very formal lawn, a rather boring and basic oak bench, a rather mundane wildflower border, a simple water feature that doesn't require the pumps and such of a full out pond, a pretty decorative screening made with wire and ivy, a children's "wigwam" made of willows and plants, a basic color-themed border, a "low maintenance courtyard" with an Asian flair, very basic lighting with mason jars and tea lights, obelisks, a formal knot garden, steps with herbs growing from them (again, they release a great scent when stepped upon), a very basic sun canopy, something called a "children's play fort" that looks more like a fenced in area surrounding a tree, a Japanese-inspired screen, an Asia-inspired mosaic made from pebbles, some turf sculpture (grassy mounds and the like), a cute kitchen garden, an easy-to-contruct pergola made from ropes and a few pieces of timber, some pathways, a more formal fountain and pebble stream, and a paving maze.I'm glad to have this addition to my library, and am sure it will inspire me to spend more than a few weekend adding personality and pizzazz to my garden.