Book Description
Stonescaping is one of today's most popular outdoor landscaping design trends. Now homeowners can find a landscape design and project book combined in one with Landscaping with Stone. The first section provides readers with a framework for incorporating stone in their yard designs, including a look at the different types of stone used in landscapes, sources of inspiration, and ways to think about stone in relation to other outdoor elements. The second part of the book provides readers with tips on working with stone, from transporting to cutting and setting. There is also step-by-step instruction on some of the most popular stone projects, including patios, walls, and rock gardens. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Heck yes...
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!

You'd never know you could do this much with landscaping
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.

If you're looking for inspiration, this is it.
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.

Great pics
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. ... Read more

Book Description
When it comes to slippery slopes, one thing you dont need is a steep learning curve. Thats why Sunset is releasing a new edition of its popular Hillside Landscaping book. Hundreds of photographs illustrate just how beautiful hillside gardens can be, accented with elements such as streams, terraces, and boulders. Step-by-step instructions guide you through basic construction techniques for walls, paths, steps, waterfalls, and more. The garden chapter includes top plants and how-tos for rock gardens and water gardens. Whether your slope is slight or imposing, youll find both inspiration and specifics here. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Some Very Good Design Ideas
This book has some excellent ideas and design concepts for landscaping those hills of yours. For me, the diversity of colorful photos provided some wonderful ideas when working with my landscape architect. This book has a good section on erosion control and drainage, but probably not detailed enough for more severe grades - in which case you should probably consult a professional. We already hired a landscape architect, but having this book has given us some great ideas and direction for what we want to do with our hillside.

The other reason you may want a professional is that the last section which recommends plants to use for erosion control is not all that useful. In fact, I knocked a few stars from my review because they specifically recommended Hedera (English Ivy) and Hypericum (St. Johnswort) on their Ground Cover list. Both of these species are quite invasive and extremely bad selections, especially in the Pacific Northwest. In fact, Hedera is on our state's Noxious plants list and eradication of Ivy is a high priority. Additionally, some studies have shown that Ivy has little effect on erosion control. It is better to consult with your local nursery or landscape architect on best erosion control plants to use in your specific location as these can differ significantly by zone.

Stunning book for anyone with land...
So many visual ideas in this book with practical "how to" advice as well! Full of color photo's of beautiful landscaping along with clear instructions on how to do things like stonework, steps, paving, walls, etc. I've just purchased some land on a mountain in a rural location and I'm very glad to have this book. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description
A new edition of Better Homes and Gardens^(r) best-selling landscaping book

Packed with 408 pages of all-new material from the editors of Better Homes and Gardens^(r) books, this complete landscaping guide has everything you need to know transform your yard. More than 700 stunning photographs and 100 complete step-by-step projects show you how to improve grading, plant successfully, build a deck, and much more. Plus an all-new plant encyclopedia with 95 plant photos! It's everything you need to know to improve your view.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A thousand inspirational photos
Over a thousand inspirational photos accompany these step-by-step outdoor landscape ideas, which appear in a new updated edition of a classic coverage. From swimming pool options and decks and patios to handling slopes and tricky problem areas, STEP BY STEP LANDSCAPING comes packed with both building and planting tips and will be an excellent pick for homeowners who want to transform their outdoors environments. ... Read more

Book Description
This comprehensive, feature-packed book shows how you can create more beauty around your home, grow delicious healthful produce, and save money and natural resources all at the same time - by landscaping with edible plants. It includes a 160-page "Encyclopedia of Edibles" with detailed horticultural information, landscaping and culinary uses, seed sources, and recipes, as well as an abundance of how-to illustrations and landscape diagrams.
Of special interest to all gardeners, this unique guide incorporates energy-, water-, and soil-saving techniques with specific designs for all geographic/climatic regions of the country.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

A great resource for planning and DOING
I was a little skeptical of purchasing this book based on a few reviews here - suffice to say the book exceeded my expectations. True, it is an older book but the information is still good. The thumbnail info on size of plants, what they can be used for, how to grow them, certain things they need and so forth enables planning for even plants not previously grown. The photographs as well as artists sketchings gives a visual idea of what combining fruit/nut trees, flowers and vegetables looks like in various ways. The use of containers both large and small, raised beds and other methods of planting gives a variety of looks and possibility. Love the idea of a floating deck around trees! The warnings of some plants, such as bamboo, spreading as well as suggestions on using the plants grown are a starting point, but a good one. Possible miss on some things, such as the availability of bush cherries for those not wanting cherry trees; but those are few. There's enough information to adequately plan, to fit plants into the budget and allow for adding more later and to plant and make use of "wasted space" for the average person capable of reading, comprehending and following suggestions. A bit dated it's true but still a lot of great information and well worth the money. If you're buying one book on the subject this would be a good one, with a great deal of information, to start with!

Integrate beauty and function into your self-sustaining garden...
Being in a rural area and living on a small family farm, we aren't overly concerned with decorative landscaping.We try to make every inch of our property productive and useful.Apart from the fields and pastures in use for livestock, we have allotted a small area for produce on our property.

Within the 1.5 acres surrounding our farmhouse, we have made allowance of space for a vegetable garden (based upon the concepts of Edward C. Smith in his book titled "The Vegetable Gardener's Bible" and an orchard that adheres to the philosophy found in Patrick Whitefield's book titled "How to Make a Forest Garden".

With the ideas found in this book, "The Complete Book of Edible Landscaping", we are now planning to landscape with a conscience and purpose aside from simple aesthetics.We are delighted with the information provided to serve as a foundation for our planning.

We have given the 4 star review based upon the fact that this book hasn't been revised for nearly 25 years and could certainly benefit from more current data.And, we would always like to see more color photographs and illustrations to complement the text.

sure would love a new edition
I just wanted to add my voice, if the authors are listening, that this book is a great resource and a new edition would be so welcome. Some of the info doesn't go out of date, of course, but there are so many new cultivars and plants that are more easily obtained than they were 20 years ago that would fit well into the home landscape and the permaculture view of gardening. I got this book at the library and i may buy a used copy, but I would jump at the chance of an updated edition!

Good Introduction to Landscaping, good reference
I have a couple of minor criticisms about this book, so let me begin with those.Firstly, it is showing its age.It makes frequent reference in the early chapters to the water shortages and environmental disasters that were widely expected to occur by the end of the century.As you know by now, those never really materialised.There is still plenty of reason to be concerned about the way American society (mis)uses resources, but the threat is neither as immediate or as dire as the author makes out.

Secondly, in the suggestions on building planters, and retaining walls, the author fails to note the potential dangers of CCA treated lumber (now being phased out) and railroad ties treated with creosote.

Lastly, more color illustrations would have been nice.Those that are there are very good.The b&w drawings are nice, but not as good as photos.

Those criticisms out of the way, the book is excellent.The first few chapters provide the rationale for edible landscaping, then introduces the principles of landscaping, giving numerous examples of applying different themes to different climates.The chapters on techniques, especially in relation to trees (the basics of pruning, and plenty of advice on espaliering) are particularly good.An entire chapter is devoted to identifying insects and dealing with the undesirables.

The second half of the book is a plant encylopedia.Handy to have in one volume, but if you already have a good plant encyclopedia, it is probably redundant.

Excellent book !
I grew up in a garden designed using this book, and now I am working on designing my own.It is a teriffic book with a lot of information about different edible plants and how to design an edible landscape.The only drawbacks are (1) it's a bit dated (new smaller rootstalks let you have smaller trees than you could in '82) and (2) it's a little bit california-centric. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (13)

Must Have Business Education
Perfect for the business end of landscaping or design. Things that they didn't teach you in college. This book is an asset for almost any home based business. Thank you Owen, it's just what I needed.

This is good advise
If you want to start a ladscape companey this uis the book you want!
From the foundation to the long run it's full of great advice and instruction. I would recomend it to any new buisiness owner.

Very informative
The book has plenty of information and ideas for starting a landscaping biz,and presented in a light-hearted style that I appreciate.Thanks to Mr. Dell for sharing his insights.

Start Home Base Landscaping Bus
This was just what was needed.Lots to learn.Explanations were clear and direct.Very useful.

Excellent no nonsense book on landscaping
If you are considering starting a business this book is a must read.the principals listed in the book apply to almost any business, but the references are definately targeted at landscaping.

The book is well written, easy to undersatnd, and makes a lot of sense.this is money well spent.
... Read more

Book Description
This all-new second edition, the companion book to the much-beloved Western Garden Book, promises to be just as successful as the first. Packed with expert advice from landscape designers, gardeners, and others, it addresses climatic, soil, and topographical challengesand solutionsfor Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and southwestern Canada. Features nThe only landscaping guide designed specifically for Western gardeners nOver 600 photographs and dozens of ready-to-use landscape plans nStep-by-step illustrations and exploded views show easy, do-it-yourself solutions nSeasonal gardening guides and checklists ensure year-round success for experienced and novice gardeners alike nEasy-to-understand plant selection and growing instructions ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A fine companion to "Sunset Western Garden Book"
Famous Landscape Architect Thomas Church once wrote: " Landscaping is logical, down-to-earth and aimed at making your plot of ground produce what you want and need from it."

The original bestseller, "Sunset Western Garden Book" is one of the best encyclopedia and is the "Bible" of Western Gardening. I am very happy to read its companion, "Sunset Western Landscaping Book."This new addition to the Sunset family is a great attempt in covering the design aspect of landscaping. It covers topography, climate, lifestyle, plants, and environment. It starts with the purpose, design and planning of gardens, microclimates, seasons, soils, understanding of site, Western garden styles, the process from plan to reality, and gardens in different regions of the West. It continues to explore the use of various garden structures (arbors, decks, fences, fireplaces, gazebos, kitchens, paths, patios, steps, walls, etc) and garden plants (trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, annuals, bulbs, herbs, fruits and vegetables, ornamental grasses, wild flowers, and succulents, etc) in landscaping. It also discusses finishing touches (lighting, containers, birdhouses, garden art, water features, etc), regional problems and solutions, materials and techniques, and landscape plans.

I like the color landscape plans in "Sunset Western Landscaping Book."I can tell Fiona Gilsenan and Kathleen Norris Brenzel and their team put in a lot of effort in creating and selecting the plans. They also have good, professionally trained eyes.The colors of the plans are harmonious and pleasant. They can be used as good samples for selecting colors for landscape presentation plans.

"Sunset Western Landscaping Book" has 416 pages and many color interior photographs. It is a fine companion to "Sunset Western Garden Book" and a must-have for personal, professional, academic, and community library Gardening & Landscaping reference collections.

Excellent
The best garden book overall. A smart book. Creative. Great pics. VERY Comprensive. Wish Id bought hardback.Complete. Very readable. Projects are suberb. Voluminous. A must for every serious gardener.

Inspiring but no help implementing
I expected more for the price. There are some nice ideas and a few plans, but the plans don't contain measurements. This is not very professional and makes implementation very difficult. Nice for dreaming, but no real help planning.

All western landscapes types, many photos & diagrams
This is a very comprehensive book describing all western regions including the low and high desert, the Pacific Northwest and southern California. The book includes many landscape ideas with diagrams and suggested plant types and many plant photos. Ideas for special needs such as privacy, patio & small spaces , desert areas, swimming pools, decks, lots for shade, low water and other requirements are covered. Types of fencing and decking are also covered. If you are starting out with a bare backyard, as I am, this is the book for you! ... Read more

Book Description
This all-inclusive edition explores landscaping solutions for properties with everything from slight slopes to extreme vertical challenges. Combining creative planning with practical application, Hillsides Landscaping offers easy-to-follow guidelines for designing plant beds and terraces, private steps and paths, serene seating areas, and soothing waterfalls on slopes of varying degrees. A Guide to Planting covers plant selection and installation, and includes advice on erosion control, plants for walls and crevices, and other special considerations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Helpful and infomative Book.
I've lived with a problematic hillside on my property for many years. I finally hired a landscape designer to solve the problems.Before I signed the contract, I consulted HILLSIDE LANDSCAPING to be certain I was getting the best solution possible.I recommend this book to anyone with hillside gardening or erosion issues.

Great Book
Fantastic book.Great succinct overview.Provides clarification of what one can do.

A pillow-book for gardeners
I was a flat-land gardener most of my life, and when we retired and moved to a house with a backyard that sloped steeply down to a small river, I needed ideas on how to landscape our new property.

"Hillside Landscaping" is a sort of pillow book for gardeners.The majority of its beautiful photographs show landscapes that gardeners of modest means can only dream about.I used the book to point out photographs of steps and retaining walls that I liked to the local landscaping firm, then we'd have a good laugh about the price, and work out cheaper compromises.For instance, instead of stone steps I now have wooden stairs leading down to the river.

Don't misunderstand me, though.There are some very good ideas in this book.For instance, we used the suggestion to zig-zag the stairs down the slope, both to make the climb a bit easier (the slope varies from about 1:6 to 1:2) and to make the journey to the river more interesting.

This book is divided into five sections:

* "Understanding your Terrain"--this section is very important, no matter how much money you plan to spend.It discusses types of hillsides (most especially the severity of the slope) , drainage considerations, and whether or not the landscape needs to be reshaped, e.g. terraced.

* "Inspiring Ideas"--beautiful photographs of slopes, decks, patios, steps, retaining walls, water features, etc. with suggestions on placement, materials, and plantings.

* "It's all in the planning"--a very useful chapter, including the ABCs of garden design, and the mechanics of plotting your property.One of this chapter's suggestions that we plan to implement is a 'dry creekbed' to drain water from our backyard slope.

* "Building on slopes"--Many landscaping features such as fences are more challenging to build on a slope.This chapter explains what factors you need to consider when building or gardening on a slope.I learned NOT to pull up weeds and saplings from their downhill side, after yanking out a small alder, losing my balance, and tumbling over the dry-stone retaining wall and down the steps.It was a cheap way of conducting my own bone density scan, but I wouldn't recommend this procedure to anyone else!I was also very glad that we had decided to build the steps out of wood, not stone.

* "Focusing on plants"--Erosion control.Erosion control.Erosion control.Figure out how you're going to work your beds.Use low-maintenance plants "if you want to avoid scrambling around your hillside to perform tasks such as weeding and pruning."There are suggestions on how to water on a slope--very important, and something I didn't think of when originally planning the beds.

"Hillside Landscaping" is useful as well as beautiful and can be used by do-it-yourselfers as well as those of us who plan to hire the muscle to move the stones and build the steps.

Lots ofpic's but no help for do it yourself homeowners
I live in Southern California where there are hills galore.I thought the book showed very pretty pictures and has nice planting tips, but it wasn't very helpful for homeowneres like my husband and I who wanted to try and landscape ourselves.I also purchased a book called Inspirational Terracing which was able to help my husband and I really landscape our yard ourselves with instructions and wonderful ideas for any situation and the author built all the landscapes himself, using afordable stones that the average person can lift.The book has beautiful pictures and it was very useful.It made me wonder how Hillside Landscaping got all their pictures, I think anyone can drive around and take pictures of landscapes that other people have built and work hard to maintain and beautify and turn around and make money off of other peoples hard efforts. It seemed more like a magazine than a book,it had beautiful scenery but used only materials that top notch contractors with huge equiptment, charging heafty prices could pull off.These landscapes are not for the person with an average house, only the upper class,homeowners could never afford these landscapes and nearly all of them could never be attempted by the homeowner.

Very useful resource
We bought a hillside property a few years ago and didn't know what to do to beautify our slope and make it more useful for gardening and outdoor living. This book gave us a lot of great ideas plus we tried some of the projects in it. The instructions were easy to understand and everything came out great. We really recommend the book!
... Read more

Book Description
Southeast Home Landscaping is an updated, expanded edition of Creative Homeowner's award-winning best seller on landscaping southeast-style. Readers will find inspiring ideas for making the home landscape more attractive and functional. The 50 featured designs are created by landscape professionals from the region and use more than 200 plants that thrive in the southeast. Detailed instructions for projects such as paths, patios, ponds, and arbors are also included. Over 450 full-color photos and paintings are complemented by easy, step-by-step instructions. The southeast will be in full bloom with Southeast Home Landscaping.AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great help book for planning your garden
This book has great pictures, design layouts and recommended plants to use together.I refer to it often.

Excellent book for landscape ideas
If you don't want to rely on your own creativity for landscaping your property, you need to check out this book. It features 54 landscape designs covering almost any situation, like entryways, streetwalk plantings, corner gardens, slopes, shady areas, woodland gardens, passageways, gardens under trees, mailbox plantings, etc. Every design is beautifully drawn and lists every plant that is included. The plants can then be looked up in the plant directory in the back of the book for more detailed information. An installation guide gives detailed instructions and helpful illustrations on how to build patios, pathways, trellises, gates, ponds, retaining walls, and more. The book also features detailed sections on other landscaping issues such as preparing the soil for planting, buying plants, planting basics, caring for plants, pruning roses, training a vine on a support, and caring for perennials (complete with a list of deer resistant plants). Highly recommended!

Southeast Home Landscape
The book was very nice with lots of plans but the cover had about a 3" cut from what looked like a utility knife.

LOVE THIS BOOK....
Anyone who loves to garden but who has no idea how to start will love this book.The photographs are incredible, the designs are easy to understand and its written in clear and concise terms for the novice gardner to understand and learn from. ... Read more

Book Description
A beautiful landscape reflects well on your house, making it a  welcome part of a  neighborhood or native terrain. And it  dramatically increases your home’s value. Landscaping also makes your house and yard more useful and better able to complement your family’s lifestyle. Trees shade your home to reduce energy use. Thorny shrubs deter prowlers. Lawns reduce dust from bare ground and give children the perfect play area. Patios and decks are great for entertaining. And a vegetable garden can yield fresh, delicious salads to eat on that patio or deck.

Landscaping for Dummies has everything you need to turn the little patch of earth you call your own into a personal paradise. Whether you’ve waited for the day to have property to landscape, you’d never given it a second thought until you had to, or you want to improve on an existing landscape, this book offers a clearly written wealth of knowledge on:

• Designs
• Fences, walls, gates, and paths
• Decks, patios, and outdoor rooms
• Trees
• Shrubs and vines
• Ground cover

Full of helpful problem-solvers for all kinds of landscapes, Landscaping for Dummies also features sample plans, “theme” landscape ideas, and a brilliant color photo section to inspire the imagination. Accessible and informative to both beginner and expert landscapers, this is the complete guide to creating the yard you’ve always wanted. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

I'm a Dummie for buying this book
Did not tell me what I needed to know to pick plants for my yard.I found most of what I needed in Sunset's Western Garden Book (I'm in the western US).

Very nice starting point for a broad subject. Great bibliography
`Landscaping for Dummies' by Philip Giroux, Bob Beckstrom, Lance Walheim and a cast of thousands is a typically ironic example of what you will find in this huge `Dummies' series of books, which started out as a series of texts for PC subjects, where the PC had a knack of making us all feel like dummies. Since then, it has expanded to touch virtually every `practical' subject in the known universe. That is, I haven't seen any `Wittgenstein for Dummies' or `Quantum Thermodynamics for Dummies', as neither of these subjects are things the average intelligent, but uninformed person is likely to pick up to brief themselves for a weekend project of as a start to a new hobby.

The irony of this particular volume is that you really can't make full use of it if you don't have a good head on your shoulders and a fair amount of book learning under your belt, including such arcane High School subjects such as geometry and some building skills such as working with mortar, power saws, a level, and a full-sized shovel.

The first thing you discover is that landscaping is a really big subject. You probably didn't know this, or you would not be considering buying this book. In four `parts', the book breaks the subject down into Designing, Hardscaping, Planting, Planning, and Tips for putting Landscaping to good use. Since this book (and all books in this series) advertises itself as `A Reference for the Rest of Us', I can't complain too much about the odd order of these five subjects, but it does seem that `Objectives' and `Planning' should be Parts I and II respectively, rather than Parts V and IV. I confess that I even bought the book exclusively for its Hardscaping chapter, so I didn't care if that came before or after planning.

Regarding the Hardscaping material, I found it remarkably advanced for a `dummy'. The projects start with simple walkways, but quickly advance to retaining walls, brick walls, and fences. My biggest surprise was the depth to which one must build deep planning into so simple a job as a retaining wall that is installed to square off an annoying slope in your yard. Not only do you have to lay a deep foundation, you also need to worry about drainage and install a special drainage pipe to carry off rainwater. Who Knew!!!

In other Parts of the book, it devotes relatively short chapters to subjects to which one could easily dedicate a whole book. One example is in the selection of a tree or trees to plant in your landscaping project. I looked at the description for Japanese maple (since I happen to have one of these) and found the entry reasonable, but possibly not as detailed as one may want, since it glossed over the fact that the difference in growing speed and average height of the different varieties of Acer Palmatum are sizable, and one will be disappointed if they get the tall lanky variety, when they wanted the low, burly `weeping' variety.

But, if what you want is a first book on the subject, you could really do a lot worse. It has the one essential ingredient for an introductory book, a comprehensive bibliography, which includes not only books, but lots of magazines, professional organizations, and international web sites for getting more information.

I rarely resort to books in this series, but for those of you who want to venture into do it yourself landscaping, this is probably better, and possibly far better than, for example, the `Home Depot' manual on the subject.

Okay for the basic landscaper
I've been working in commercial landscaping off and on for nearly four years now.I borrowed this book from a friend just to check it out.I think if you are a new homeowner and don't have much experience in landscaping then this book will probably work.If you are familiar with planting tree's and shrubs, bricklaying, fencing, and bordering, then maybe you should try and find something a little more advance.I suppose it depends on how big the project is you are working on.

Landscaping For Dummies
A very informative tome, but I think its tries to achieve too much in what is a rather large and varied subject. Should focus on the basics.............but to be fair still an excellent guide

OKAY
This book is okay for homeowners wanting easy landscaping to-do them selfs. If you are looking at starting a landscaping business, this is not the book for you. Over all it is Okay. ... Read more

Book Description
* Make a living with your own landscaping business
* Work in the great outdoors
* Be your own boss
* Make money all year round, wherever you live ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

VERY GOOD BOOK
I LOVE THIS BOOK. THE GUY WHO WROTE IT IS ALSO A LANDSCAPER. IF YOU ARE JUST STARTING OR WANT MORE INFO ON HOW TO MAKE MONEY IN THE LAWN SERVICE INDUSTRY , THIS IS THE BOOOK.

start and run a landscaping MAINTANCE business
This was not what I thought, I was looking for somthing to help with my lanscape construction buisness.Can I return it?

Landscaping
Very good book on business side, not much information about landscaping itself. Very detailled information about opening a business. Costs, overhead costs, and initial capital.

Excellent well balanced book
This book was very well written with good balance between general business advice and more specific landscaping advice. I like that he does not mind going out on a limb to recommend specific brands and types of commercial lawn care equipment. He also includes a very handy CD filled with all sorts of sheets that can b personalized to your individual use. This book should become the authoritative guide to those looking to enter the business. ... Read more

Book Description
The perfect companion to the Better Homes and Gardens New Complete Guide to Gardening.

Illustrated easy-to-follow instructions for planning, designing, and building typical landscape projects. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Beautiful, book of knowledge and ideas!
This book is great for beginners and advanced landscapers alike.I never worked in a yard before but I can tackle most projects after this book.. it really has great step-by-step info.. I recommend this for all gardeners!

Great book for your bookshelf!
This book is great!I use it all the time and my pages have been dog-eared to death.Very useful and the pictures can give you some great ideas!I pull it out all the time, even just to look at the pictures.

Great guide for new gardeners
This has been one of my best purchases yet for gardening.From preparing the land to the final touches this book contains excellent detail.In addition, you have multiple plans for projects from gazebos to water fountains.I highly recommend this book.You will not regret the purchase.

REALLY IS COMPLETE!!!
They weren't lying when they said new complete guide! It has everything and more. It has really inspired me.The pictures are fantastic. They can give you ideas themselves. This book lets you know how to plan out your landscape, let's you use your imagination, and gives you choices and step by step instructions to make your landscaping dreams come true. I highly reccomend it. This is the best book out there! It has some excellent ideas!

greatest landscaping book I've seen so far
This is really a great and very comprehensive book, I love it. I saw it the first time in a store and I was really impressed by it, so I decided to look for it on amazon. My favorite part is the different ways shown to incorporate water. Also I liked the thoughtful tips that should be considered when planning a garden, such as a form of privacy around the spa. ... Read more

Book Description
New Complete Home Landscaping is an updated, expanded edition of Creative Homeowner's award-winning comprehensive book on landscaping for the home. It covers every aspect of home landscaping, from design principles to construction projects; plant selection to plant care. The book consists of three parts. Part One: Preparing to Landscape explains how to design and create a landscape. Part Two: Setting the Stage shows how to build such features as paths, ponds, walls, decks, and watering systems. Part Three: Planting and Growing describes how to select, plant, and care for flowers, trees, shrubs, ground covers, and lawns. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

New Complete Home Landscaping
There are some interesting and workable ideas in the book. Before purchasing you might want to check out your local library first. I'm not disappointed with it however I think the layouts are more for the professional landscape/design area. There is even a section for making your own pesticides. It is a nice book to have on hand.

Definitely complete
This book touched on all aspects of gardening and landscaping - design elements and plans, water features, walls & fences, gazebos, decks and patios.It offers suggestions on plants and flowers appropriate for specific areas and climates. There is also a section with solutions to common problems.I highly recommend this book.The text gave me a lot of knowledge, while the pictures inspired me to start working on my own yard!

A step-by-step guide for amateur & professional landscapers
Over 950 photographs and watercolor paintings illustrate New Complete Home Landscaping, a step-by-step guide for amateur and professional landscapers alike. Internationally recognized garden writer Catriona Tudor Erler discusses how to choose the right plants for one's climate and soil conditions, how to install a fence, when to fertilize and what fertilizer to use, fighting common diseases, how to transplant large trees and shrubs, and much more. Packed with pages and pages of detail and explicit constructions, New Complete Home Landscaping lives up to its title as an indispensable and well-rounded resource for anyone seriously contemplating a landscaping project.
... Read more

Book Description
Developing your landscape is one of the pleasures of owning a home.It's an opportunity to surround yourself with beauty and provide for your comfort and convenience.In a well-designed yard, kids have room to play and adults have an attractive area in which to relax and enjoy the surroundings.Your guests find a safe, welcoming path to the front door, and you don't have to struggle to bring in the groceries and take out the trash. TAYLOR'S MASTER GUIDE TO LANDSCAPING is a stunning and useful book on a subject that even experienced gardeners find intimidating.It is essential reading if you plan to do all or most of your own landscaping work, but it's equally important if you intend to hire the work out.Buchanan's description of what to expect from landscape and gardening professionals is an eye-opener that will save a lot of disappointment and a great many dollars. In TAYLOR'S MASTER GUIDE TO LANDSCAPING, you will learn how to- choose plants that will thrive in your climate and growing conditions- avoid common mistakes with foundation plantings - plan and plant for future growth - create an outdoor living room- design and build walks, paths, and steps- create privacy with fences, walls, and hedges. Separate chapters explain how to care for landscape plants -- trees, shrubs, vines, lawns, groundcovers, and perennials. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

A big help.
This book has helped me come up with a plan for the rough land that I have purchased with my new home.

It wont replace the landscape architect, but it comes close
This is the most often used book I continually return to for landscaping reference and guidance. It's well written and will have you on the way to improving your landscape after the first read. One reviewer mentions Rita is opinionated. This is true. So you'll have to read around some of the opinions and decide for yourself what holds true for your property.

If you need just one landscaping book, I would highly recommend this book. It has a great balance of ideas, pics, & text. It is well structured and organized.

Most comprehensive text on planning a garden
I admire Rita Buchanan's style.

In a time of the pre-digested, summarized 'Idiot's Guides', she addresses landscape design in a methodical and logical progression.The text doesn't get bogged down in species' names and planting plans, but instead opens our minds to the larger questions of overall goals and needs.As such, I have found this to be the perfect companion as I plan my garden, opening my mind to the wider possibilities that I hadn't considered.

Having said that, you might be disappointed if you are looking for a book to 'dip into' for rapid solutions.I have found this book more rewarding if you have 30 minutes to spare with a comfy chair and cup of coffee, rather than just a 3 minute break.

Comprehensive and well designed; sometimes too opinionated
The book is what its title says and that's good - a master guide to landscaping.While I respect Ms. Buchanan's opinions on matters of landscaping since she obviously is versed enough to complete this well done andcomprehensive book, it seems to me that her opinions sometimes get in the way of common, useful, tried and true landscaping practices.Example: On page 229 she adamantly states, "...Disregard anyone who tells you to set hedge plants in a zigzag pattern...", yet the picture above depicts just that and, quite frankly, it's commonly recommended to do so.As a designer, I do use that technique for hedge planting because it creates a billowy effect and it's more visually interesting, in many instances. The point is, that statement is an opinion that may not be based on anything more than personal taste.

Having said that, it's an excellent and in-depth guide to the extensive field of landscaping and a very good book just to see what her educated opinions might be.Keep an open mind and refer also to other more task-specific books and expertise when faced with landscape challenges.This book certainly will entertain one with its views, many of them interesting and useful.

Very complete
An incredibly complete guide to landscaping your home with manyillustrative photographs and diagrams. The author covers everything fromthe setting up landscaping goals to the techniques of putting in edgings,paths, fences and on to choosing and caring for plants. The author does notpull her punches, coming out, for example, clearly against landscapefabric.Although information on the plants themselves is limited, it is anexcellent overall gardening book that can be supplemented by more detailedplant guides. ... Read more

Book Description
Make a Californian home landscape more attractive and functional with California Home Landscaping. Like the other titles in this series, this book contains three parts: Design Portfolio, Guide to Installations, and Plant Portraits. In the "Design Portfolio" section, readers will find 48 designs created by landscape professionals in California. "Guide to Installations" explains how to install the plants, paths, patios, and arbors used in the designs. More than 200 of the best plants for the region are fully described in "Plant Portraits". Clearly written in a friendly style and with 470 color photographs and paintings, California Home Landscaping provides everything Californians need to know to landscape like a pro. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Visually very interesting.
For anyone who is planning some garden design, this is a great book. Wonderful photography and display of before and after pictures. A very good quality book for the price.

SunsetBooks are always a must.
Great diagrams and suggestions. I bought this book for my daughter for ideas for her first house.

Great ideas for California gardeners....
This is a terrific book. I already had many assorted Sunset books and others, but still needed help! This this one is full of many useful ideas.

Detailed and Divine!
I recently moved to Northern California and have been looking for a landscaping book that provides geographically suited plants, shrubs and perennials. This book provides ideas, alternatives for shady and sunny spots, planting graphs for annual growth and great arbor ideas.Well worth the price, packed full of ideas for the beginner and expert gardener. You won't be disappointed. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Essential resource
Natural Landscaping is an essential resource for anyone interested in landscaping with native plants.The importance of learning to use native plants is so importantas we face continuing droughts in various parts of the country, including here in Williamsburg, VA.The book is so full of information that I find myself going back to it often.Many thanks to the authors for this fine volume.

Cogent, authoritative advice on how to restore wetlands
Now in an updated and expanded second edition, Natural Landscaping: Designing With Native Plant Communities by licensed architect and landscaping authority John Diekelmann and natural plan restoration expert Robert Schuster is a fascinating, "user friendly" instructional guide on basic landscaping principles, as well as cogent, authoritative advice on how to restore wetlands and introduce native plant species for wetlands, grasslands, forests, and more. Black-and-white photographs as well as an inset section of color plates wonderfully illustrate this meticulous, fact-filled, professional quality, highly recommended "how-to" guide for anyone aspiring to enhance or restore native plant communities.

This is a wonderful resource
I have the 1982 edition of this book - I stumbled across it and have been amazed ever since that such a book was written in 1982 before this approach to gardening/landscaping was popular.
It is tailored to the midwest, but the technical solidity and sound design concepts should apply anywhere. ... Read more

Book Description
Texas Home Landscaping is an updated, expanded edition of Creative Homeowner's award-winning best-seller on landscaping Texas-style. Readers will find inspiring ideas for making the home landscape more attractive and functional. The 54 featured designs are created by landscape professionals from the region and use more than 200 plants that thrive in the southeast. Detailed instructions for projects such as paths, patios, ponds, and arbors are also included. Over 450 full-color photos and paintings are complemented by easy, step-by-step instructions. The Lone Star state will be in full bloom with Texas Home Landscaping. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Texas Home Landscaping
New edition is a wealth of knowledge for each area of Texas.Sections on walkways and paths and sections on specific plants for your area are the best I've read. ... Read more

Book Description
Just in time for planting comes this profusely illustrated, immensely practical, and very different approach to gardening-fit for novices and seasoned green thumbs alike.

Most homeowners design their gardens as little decorative plots set amid expanses of green lawn. Europeans, on the other hand, have long understood the value of making the most of what the land has to offer, emphasizing a garden's potential for year-round productivity and beauty. This highly informative book by noted U.S. landscaper and designer Fred Hagy offers a new approach-providing lots of great ideas for a totally edible garden.

Beginning with the premise of "maximum beauty with maximum utility," Hagy discusses the principles of garden design and shows how one can easily visualize what the land-from lawn garden to backyard to field-can provide. He outlines a step-by-step procedure for combining all one's ideas, dreams, and tastes to create a setting that is both eye-pleasing and food-producing.

In addition, Landscaping with Fruits and Vegetables includes an authoritative series of "Plant Information Sheets" featuring the most up-to-date, genetically advanced tree, bush and plant varieties available. They not only specify the characteristics and varieties of each plant and where you can get them, but describe how to maintain them for maximum productivity and longevity. Information on drainage and irrigation, pest control, espaliering, container gardening and pollination requirements as well as an extensive bibliography make this an informative and indispensable reference for any home gardener. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Reference
I ordered this book through Amazon.com because we are interested in using fruits and vegetables in landscaping. Actually, we just plain like to garden and eat. Landscaping is secondary.

Fruit tree catalogues are very basic, and frustrating. You see some closeup's of a fruit, and that's it. No sense of the tree or shrub shape, seasonal looks, the plant's needs, or anything else. So, it's hard to figure out what variety and what plant fits with your yard.

This book is prob. the best garden reference I have ever purchased, and has become our favorite when planning spring plant orders. Mr. Hagy writes as clear an explanation of landscape design concepts as I have read in any book. He has good illustrations of ways to incorporate fruit and vegetable plants into the landscape. But since the landscaping is secondary to me, what is most helpful for me are the great illustrations and details of the many edible plants that can be used in landscapes. I've learned a lot reading this book, and I'm a farm girl who's been around "edible landscapes" all my life.

This is truly a 5 star gardening book. ... Read more

Product Description
As Florida is developed the native flora is often replaced with non-native plants. Wildlife habitat is reduced, water, fertilizer and pesticide usage increases, and the appearance of Florida is altered. But you can help reduce the damage being done to our ecosystems by viewing your yard as part of the natural system.This book will help you make a plan that will work for your yard and choose the native plants that will thrive there. You will have the joy of creating an aesthetically pleasing, life-supporting, and environmentally sensitive landscape. Methods for a small fruit and vegetable garden are also covered. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A perfect primer for newcomers to Florida or to natural landscaping.
This little book is deceptively slim.Actually, it provides a compact but comprehensive overview of the significant differences between creating a natural landscape with native plants vs. a conventional contemporary Florida landscape of decorative exotics. It will give you a context within which the other native plant books can become useful to you. ... Read more

Book Description
500 color photos and more than 100 illustrations.

All techniques for designing and shaping a landscape plan and common outdoor structures.

Includes plant identification photos and charts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A construction book
Great book if you want to know how to build structures like gazebos, walls, fences,pools, ramps,decks,irrigation systems,etc. It shows you the step by step with photos and drawings.
This book is not the right choiceif you are lookingfor plants arrangement.

Great book
I am new to landscaping and bought this book because I have a lot of questions. This book gave me a lot of great ideas. If you are new to landscaping you will find it very usefull. Don't hesitate to buy if you are a newbie to landscaping.

A excellent buy; very good structure and content.
This book walks you through the processes of landscaping, from planning to installation, in a very readable, understandable and enjoyable manner.As a landscape designer, I'm always searching for references of any type touse when creating "yard spaces" and presenting those ideas to mycustomers.With books, I'm usually disappointed either with the graphicand/or written content regarding the details of landscaping, particularlythose publications sold at the Home Depots et al.This was different. Technical to the point that's necessary and not too "flowery" init's narrative, it just provides wellwritten ideas and executions formany landscaping tasks.

The illustrations & photography in manybooks I've seen work OK but give the books an "old" feel,because, in many cases, they are old in date and style.With fewexceptions, the artwork and landscape "styling" in this bookappear current and appropriate.That made it a more believable booktoo.

All said and done, this book is an excellent value for those seekinggeneral-to-semi-technical information for a wide variety of landscapingtasks.With its emphasis on extensive and educated planning, this book isan asset to the homeowner and the landscape professional alike.In myopinion, one of the book's greatest achievements may be that homeowners,after reading it, can decide better whether to tackle a project themselvesor work with professionals. ... Read more