From Publishers Weekly
With the healthy skepticism of a practiced penny pincher, Erler (The Garden Problem Solver) examines just about every conceivable aspect of gardening and shows readers how to achieve beautiful, bountiful results on a budget. Erler offers a host of suggestions and technique, from finding top-quality tools at bargain-basement prices (garage sales are a good source) to using found objects for garden art (try driftwood as sculpture), propagating plants from cuttings, creating a water-wise landscape and making homemade pesticides. The Virginia gardener's emphasis is on creativity and practicality, but Erler's down-to-earth ideas don't sacrifice styleAin fact, she makes such a persuasive case for using "your ingenuity instead of your wallet" that even green thumbs with deep pockets may adopt her methods. Packaged in a reader-friendly format, the information is grouped logically, with separate chapters on such topics as tools, plants, soil amendment and design. The pages are peppered with recurring sidebars: "The Frugal Gardener's Workshop," for example, offers how-to instructions for creating a Victorian gazing globe from an inverted fishbowl and a can of metallic spray paint. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Gardening can be an addictive, expensive hobby, so a book like this one is always welcome. It will be appreciated by those gardening on a budget as well as those who simply enjoy the thrill of bargain hunting or the challenge of creative recycling. Erler, a gardening columnist and author of The Garden Problem Solver, organizes her ideas in logical sections on plants, tools, maintenance, and design, making it easy to browse for inspiration. The tips are a blend of quick fixes offering instant gratification and longer projects to plan and dream about during the winter (including a clever homemade pergola made of painted PVC pipe). For beginners, basics on wise tool and plant selection are useful. Erler includes more illustrations than Maureen Gilmer does in The Budget Gardener: Twice the Garden for Half the Price (LJ 2/1/96), making this a good purchase for all public libraries.ABonnie Poquette, Shorewood P.L., WI
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
