Balcony, Terrace, & Patio Gardening (Gardener's bookshelf) [Paperback]

Margaret Davis (Author)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Margaret Davis is a well-known garden writer, broadcaster, lecturer, and founder of the Garden Club of Australia. For thirty years, Margaret tended her large and much beloved garden with her husband, Arthur. When she moved to Hawaii, Margaret discovered the "fascination and excitement" of creating her own balcony garden.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Fulcrum Publishing (May 29, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555912567
• ISBN-13: 978-1555912567
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,047,947 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Four stars for text, two stars for photos....., January 21, 2006

By 

Dianne Foster "Di" (USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Balcony, Terrace, & Patio Gardening (Gardener's bookshelf) (Paperback)

BALCONY, TERRACE AND PATIO GARDENING is a friendly little book filled with observations about the "change" in life, when one must, alas, abandon the larger garden and cultivate an appreciation of horticulture on a much smaller scale. Although Margaret Davis is writing from the perspective of one who has had much experience in larger areas and her target audience is the retired individual like herself who faces this prospect of downsizing, her discovery of the positive aspects of working in a reduced space such as a balcony or townhouse lot are relevant to younger folks who find themselves in similar circumstances with desire to grow favorite plants they knew as children.

Ms Davis understands that some of the most difficult aspects of balcony gardening will probably be wind control, equipment storage, and perhaps, if you are located within the 10 feet or so near the ground, pests. However, if you are fortunate enough to have some sunlight you can grow a variety of sun-lovers such as roses and various herbs. Bougainvilla might work if the climate is warm enough and Camillas will thrive in shade. Hanging baskets are a must, and vegetables are not outside the realm of possibility. Ms Davis is thrilled with citrus trees, but I have only managed to kill them. She also says walls have great potential for trellises that can act as plant supports.

The downside of this book is that it is not well illustrated. The text is dotted with very small black and white photos, and the publishers included a small section of color plates in the center of the book, but other than cryptic notes such as "window view" "Chrysanthemum bonsai in Tokyo" the pictures are not terribly well captioned. Some of them are beautiful, like the photo of the fuchia growing on a patio table. The best shot was placed on the cover and shows an actual composition. Buy this book for Ms Davis narrative which is friendly and unassuming.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice, inexpensive and appropriate, February 22, 2006

By 

Ir C. Kramer (Eindhoven, Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Balcony, Terrace, & Patio Gardening (Gardener's bookshelf) (Paperback)

The book, written by an elderly lady, is quite to the point and gives very practical advices. The photographs are not too glossy but give a good inpression what roof gardening is all about.