American Horticultural Society Practical Guides: Lawns And Groundcovers [Paperback]

DK Publishing (Author)

Book Description

Series: AHS Practical Guides | Publication Date: April 1, 1999

Introducing a new series of practical guides on important gardening topics. A new generation of gardening reference titles, the AHS Practical Guides present the practical know-how of the American Horticultural Society in compact, attractive guides that address specific gardening topics. From popular plants and plant groups to garden design and planning solutions, these books answer every gardener's needs. With new photography, fresh ideas, straightforward text, and the finest horticultural information, the AHS Practical Guides inspire confidence and ensure success. Practical information in a compact format, with more than 250 color photos in each guide Includes clearly explained projects for the less experienced or busy gardener.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Full of solid, practical advice and plenty of how-to pictures, Lawns and Groundcovers is an ideal title for those looking to maximize their success growing this astonishing variety of plants. Focusing on appropriate uses for different varieties, and exploring all kinds of options for dealing with a number of climates and growing conditions, you'll find direction for growing healthy plants and creating your own unique haven.

Designed to be a complete do-it-yourself guide, don't let the small format of this book fool you--it's absolutely jam-packed with ideas for all styles of gardens, and as always, publisher Dorling Kindersley manages to take fairly complicated projects and reduce them to a manageable size that even the gardening novice can handle. Practical considerations are dealt with firmly--no skipping such detail work as proper seed sowing or routine mulchings. The listings by color, size, use, and scent are very specific, and new gardeners will find all kinds of useful tips.

Inspirational ideas are plentiful--the garden photographs are lush and detailed and provide all kind of unusual notions for creating a truly unique gardening space. Whether you're looking to design a bed of cushy moss for a low-maintenance play area or naturalizing bulbs for a delightful casual look, you'll find options for all your projects involving these inexpensive and delightfully textured plants. --Jill Lightner

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789441608
• ISBN-13: 978-0789441607
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,317,650 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars AHS Practical Guide: Lawns & Groundcovers, May 4, 2000

By 

William E. Mendus (Kansas City, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Horticultural Society Practical Guides: Lawns And Groundcovers (Paperback)

Book lovers will want to buy this book simply because it is such a beautiful little book. It's nicely laid out at the perfect size for a little book, printed on slick paper and has dozens and dozens of top quality photographs.

I am not a lawn or gardening expert, but this little book seems to me to be chock full of good information. The section on ground covers other than grass, such as bulbs, perenials, and bushes is particularly good for such a short book. In addition, there are scores of tips and techniques for everthing from filling in low spots in your lawn to raking and aerating to planting bulbs under your lawn and dividing and propagating bulbs and other plants.

There are deficiencies. In particular, there is no discussion of soil PH, and the coverage of grass species is poor. A page on each of these topics would improve the book a great deal. A simple chart of grass species and their characteristics would be a great help.

I would characterize this as an "idea" book. You will get a lot of useful information about how to care for your grounds, but you will need to supplement this book with another for really comprehensive coverage of lawn care. Try "Lawn Care for Dummies."

More important, you will get good ideas about how to make your lawn and gardens stand out. In this regard, the photographs alone are worth the price of the book.