American Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Gardening - Book Review

These aren't the cheapest books available, but to my mind they're the best. They cover almost everything the average and also the quite-a-long-way-beyond-average gardener will ever need.

American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening

Hardcover: 748 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.77 x 11.64 x 9.42
Publisher: DK Publishing Inc; Rev. Ameri edition (September 1, 2003)

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Many books claim to be a "definitive guide"; this is one title that happily lives up to those claims--and then some. Encyclopedia of Gardening will become your indispensable how-to manual for any plant-related topic. Indoors or out, you'll find information on choosing and maintaining healthy plants of all varieties, how to build structures from greenhouses to trellises, ways to identify pests and diseases, and methods of garden design that enable you to turn your lawn into a unique and personal work of art.

The text is straightforward and accompanied at all points by close-up photos of techniques, ideas, and specimens. The handy glossary is ready with definitions for everything from bulblet to vermiculite, and two pages of seasonal reminders are a great quick-reference cheat sheet. Thanks to clear category separations and the easy-to-read layout, the information is never overwhelming, just friendly and helpful--it's like having a master gardener living in your bookshelf! For the beginning-but-committed gardener, this encyclopedia is the perfect starting point. With every question answered thoroughly and accurately, you may find it's the only book you need for years to come. The fruit and vegetable sections are terrific, as are the areas on propagation and water gardening. For novice and expert alike, there's plenty to be learned from this information-packed volume.

The following review refers to the first edition of the book published in 1993

A comprehensive guide to most things that you could ever want to do in the garden. Stacks of information, usefully and plentifully illustrated. Well set out in logical sections. A wonderfully comprehensive reference guide for the beginner and expert alike. If you only buy one gardening book it has to be this one.

I have owned this book for about 9 years and still refer to it regularly. A substantial tome with plenty of very clear illustrative diagrams and photographs. Pictures that are used to illustrate a point or demonstrate a technique and not pictures that are just used to fill space and make the book look pretty as in so many other gardening books.

It's full of "how to do it" articles, sowing seeds, mound layering herbs, installing garden steps. General principles, seasonal reminders, how to prune and information on identifying weeds, pests and diseases amongst a thousand other things you could conceivably want to know.

It's not a plant encyclopedia, but has easily enough specific plant information and lists of plants for particular situations to satisfy most requirements. In the chapter on ornamental trees for example there is a page that lists about 150 species and varieties of tree for these situations:

Exposed sites
Air Pollution tolerant
Winter Interest
Two or More Seasons of Interest
Trees for Containers
Trees for Small Gardens
Specimen Trees

Separated into two sections and twenty four chapters, the major headings are given below.

Part I - Creating the garden.

chapter 1 - Garden Planning and Design
chapter 2 - Ornamental trees / Dwarf Conifers / Topiary / Hedges and screens
chapter 3 - Ornamental shrubs /
chapter 4 - Climbing Plants / Clematis
chapter 5 - The Rose Garden
chapter 6 - Perennials / Grasses, Bamboos, Sedges and Rushes / Irises / Ground Cover / Chrysanthemums / Ferns / Carnations and Pinks / Wild Flower and Meadow Gardening / Pelargoniums
chapter 7 - Annuals and Biennials / Sweet Peas
chapter 8 - The Rock Garden / Alpine Houses
chapter 9 - Bulbous Plants / Tulips and Daffodils / Dahlias / Lilies
chapter 10 - The Water Garden / Water Lilies / Aquariums
chapter 11 - Cacti and Other Succulents
chapter 12 - The Lawn
chapter 13 - The Herb Garden
chapter 14 - The vegetable garden
chapter 15 - The Fruit Garden
chapter 16 - The Indoor Garden

Part II - Maintaining the Garden

chapter 1 - Tools and Equipment
chapter 2 - Greenhouses and Frames
chapter 3 - Structures and Surfaces
chapter 4 - Climate and the Garden / Frost and Wind Protection
chapter 5 - Soils and Fertilizers
chapter 6 - Principles of Propagation
chapter 7 - Plant Problems
chapter 8 - Basic Botany

American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening

A good gardening encyclopedia is a must. There's always something that the gardener wants to do or that they come across and know little or nothing about. Even experts need a reference every now and then. The AHS Encyclopedia of Gardening (Hardcover - 748 pages) is a comprehensive guide to most things that you could ever be done in the garden. If you only buy one gardening book it has to be this one. Buy this book now

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