Landscape Planning: Practical Techniques for the Home Gardener
This book takes the guesswork out of planning any landscaping project.
Landscaping a property can be an overwhelming task. How much will it cost? How long will it take? What plants will grow best in a particular location? Is it a do-it-yourself or a professional job?
Landscape designer and horticulturalist Judith Adam provides every crucial step in designing and implementing a landscape plan: from assessing specific needs and planning a budget and timeline, to making the best choices for a successful garden. From her years of experience, Adam describes 200 of her favorite plants, shrubs and trees. This revised edition includes a new chapter on low-maintenance and self-reliant gardening that helps the home gardener get the most out of the space with the least amount of work.
This new edition of Landscape Planning includes:
- 25 fully illustrated step-by-step projects
- 27 fully illustrated Ten Best lists, such as ten best drought-resistant shrubs; ten best plants for autumn display
- A property assessment survey, budget questionnaire and sample four-year plan
- Hardscaping: ideas for steps, sidewalks, fences and lighting
- Softscaping: working with plants, shrubs, trees and lawns
- Techniques for planting, irrigating and fertilizing plants and controlling pests
- A list of tools that every gardener needs
- Plans for a low-maintenance garden -- and much more.
This comprehensive guide is a must-have for homeowners and avid gardeners alike.
Customer Review: One of the best!
I recently had to educate myself in landscape design (large landscaping job at the house). I looked through many landscaping books, and bought several. This one has turned out to be the best one by far.
There are all sorts of great tips along the way, everything from design do's and don'ts to plant recommendations. But what I most appreciated (and what most other books lacked) was the straightforward walkthrough of how to plan: goals, design, hard landscaping, soft landscaping, and so on. Many so called "landscaping" books are actually just coffee-table books with a lot of pretty pictures but no details on how to come up with a good design. This book really helps you go from zero to a workable landscape design.
When I brought in landscapers to submit bids, I had designs on hand to show them. After looking at them, one gave a sigh of relief and said "oh good, you are way ahead of most people." That's all thanks to this book.
Customer Review: Perfect for do-it yourself! Great tips!
It's so handy to have around. I borrowed from the library, but soon after decided I wanted my own copy. It has great tips for all different landscapes. My favorites are the top ten lists - fastest growing privacy plants, slowest growing, perfect plants for between stepping stones, etc.
I've read several landscape books, and I strongly recommend this one to anyone who plans on landscaping by themselves.