The Ann Lovejoy Handbook of Northwest Gardening: Natural , Sustainable, Organic (Paperback)

by Ann Lovejoy (Author), Janet Loughrey (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In this updated second edition of the popular guide, Ann Lovejoy explains how to create a gorgeous ornamental garden following the principles and techniques of organic and sustainable gardening. Emphasizing good soil prep, composting, drainage, mulching, and proper plant selection, the book covers every step from landscaping and design to soil prep to planting beds, all with the goal of creatinga lovely garden without chemical fertilizers or pest control. Janet Loughrey’s color photographs show the splendid results.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Sasquatch Books; 2nd edition (December 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570615500
• ISBN-13: 978-1570615504
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #228,106 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy, natural gardening, February 6, 2004

By	Valerie Adolph "Coast Journal" (Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Ann Lovejoy Handbook of Northwest Gardening: Natural-Sustainable-Organic (Paperback)

I always look forward to a new gardening book from Ann Lovejoy and this one did not disappoint. Beautifully illustrated with Janet Loughrey's color photographs, this book is full of practical ideas for creating a Northwest garden that is both beautiful and easy to care for.

The writer's mantra "Natural, sustainable, organic" pervades the whole book - fourteen densely packed chapters covering topics from "Sustainable Garden Design" to selecting different types of plants. In the chapter on garden design she outlines what she considers to be the ten issues of good garden design. They are good, basic common sense, but so easy to ignore or forget. In just a couple of pages the writer addresses them briefly but vividly, then goes on to suggest how you might start your garden planning from an assessment of your garden's assets and liabilities.

One of Ann Lovejoy's strengths is her knowledge of and commitment to all aspects of sustainable natural gardening. She presents this thoroughly without being wordy (quite a trick in itself) and points out that natural gardening - working with nature - is far easier and more satisfying than trying to control nature.

In the chapters on plant selection the reader is guided in the choice of trees, shrubs, perennials etc that are not just pretty, or fashionable this year, but that will really work well in a specific place in your garden. Careful plant choices mean a minimum of stress for the plant and a minimum of effort for the gardener.

This writer's particular talent is her ability to combine practicality with vision. Her books, while primarily written for the gardener in the Pacific Northwest, contain much that is of value to gardeners elsewhere.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful information and enjoyable read., March 23, 2008

By	L. Payne - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I usually do not buy what I call "How To" books as I can skim what I want in the book store. I purchased this book as a skim read too, hoping only to get some good info for my PNW area.
Once I started the book though, I couldn't put it down. It was a great read and full on information. There was no dryness or boredom at all. Ann is great at entertaining you while educating you and keeping you interested. One of those teachers that makes you enjoy the class.
I would recommend having your highlighter ready. I did highlight certain things I came across that I wanted to be able to flip to easy.
I definetly recommend this book to any gardener beginner and already educated. It is full of ggod information on how to make your garden grow and work for you.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the essential book for the northwest, December 29, 2007

By	slug bait (PDX) - See all my reviews

I love all of Ann Lovejoy's books for her straight forward style of writing and gardening and the photography is always wonderful too. I checked this book out several times (after long waiting lists) from the library and finally decided i didn't want to share it anymore! If you live in our amazing Pac.N.W. and love to garden, this is the only book you really need.