The Impatient Gardener [Paperback]

Jerry Baker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 12, 1983

Do you wonder why your lawn is brown? Do you love flowers, but think you can't afford to grow them? Do you think producing your own vegetables would take a miracle? Well stop worrying! Jerry Baker, America's master gardener, understands all your hopes dreams and fears about your garden. And in the pages of this practical, inspiring handbook, he gives you the shortcuts, home remedies and time-tested tips you need to have a healthy lawn, thriving trees and shrubs, gorgeous flowers, and fabulous vegetables--even if you're a beginner! It's like having America's master gardener in your own backyard, helping you every step of the way!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This is a hands-on manual for the gardener who imagines he has a brown thumb, will murder a houseplant by looking at it the wrong way, and couldn't grow mold on bread. Jerry Baker, one of America's best-known garden experts, has written a book with a sense of humor that covers all your current or potential gardening issues: a green lawn, productive fruit tress, healthy shrubs and trees, and when and where to plant what. He offers shortcuts that can save you time, work, and money; home remedies for healthy plants; and many tips on growing lavish flowers and healthy vegetables and fruit.

Thoroughly indexed for ease of reference, this has to be one of the most comprehensive gardening books ever written for the beginner, and Baker's wisdom and humor make it an entertaining read, as well. When friends compliment you on your lush lawn, your spectacular flowers, or your yummy vegetables, you don't have to tell them after the fact that Jerry Baker is responsible, and you'll be glad you found this great guide and problem solver. But if you share the secret, you'll want your friends to get their own copies, as you will not want to let this book slip out of your easy reach for long. --Mark A. Hetts

From the Inside Flap

Do you wonder why your lawn is brown? Do you love flowers, but think you can't afford to grow them? Do you think producing your own vegetables would take a miracle? Well stop worrying! Jerry Baker, America's master gardener, understands all your hopes dreams and fears about your garden. And in the pages of this practical, inspiring handbook, he gives you the shortcuts, home remedies and time-tested tips you need to have a healthy lawn, thriving trees and shrubs, gorgeous flowers, and fabulous vegetables--even if you're a beginner! It's like having America's master gardener in your own backyard, helping you every step of the way!

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; Later Printing edition (January 12, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345309499
• ISBN-13: 978-0345309495
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.6 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #573,212 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Expert Advice > Jerry Baker

More About the Author

Jerry Baker is the author of more than 50 books, including Plants Are Like People, Jerry Baker's Old-Time Gardening Wisdom, and Jerry Baker's Herbal Pharmacy. His syndicated radio show, On the Garden Line, is heard nationwide, and his gardening specials have been televised on PBS. He lives in New Hudson, Michigan.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Practical Guide to Gardens and Lawns, March 24, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Atlanta) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Impatient Gardener (Paperback)

I've been watching Jerry Baker on PBS for a long time. This is a great general book on gardening, lawn, tree and shrub maintenance in general. If I have any complaints, it is that too much information is covered in too little space (one chapter on Vegetable Gardening). I think Jerry is the best. He has a couple of books that specialize in lawn care and other topics. I am going buy these for more detailed information.

35 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unconventional Ideas that work!, July 3, 2001

By 

Stephanie Manley (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Impatient Gardener (Paperback)

This book is filled with common sense ideas that guess what, they work. I love his approach of using simple, and logical ideas that will make you have a better lawn. From easy to mix fertilizer treatments to different ways to aerate your lawn. If you are looking for inexpensive ways to perk up your lawn, this is the book for you.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Impatient Gardener, November 6, 2006

By 

Margo Thompson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Impatient Gardener (Paperback)

I started using this book in mid summer and so far I have been amazed. I purchased a house that had nothing but weeds in the back yard. I hired someone to get rid of the weeds and all they did was kill what little grass there was. A friend gave me The Impatient Gardener and I started doing what it recommended and now I have a yard full of grass. My next door neighbor came over to find out what I had done to make the grass grow. I plan on giving her the book for Christmas.