Landscape Planning: Practical Techniques for the Home Gardener [Paperback]

Judith Adam (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 2008

This book takes the guesswork out of planning any landscaping project.

Landscaping a property can be an overwhelming task. How much will it cost? How long will it take? What plants will grow best in a particular location? Is it a do-it-yourself or a professional job?

Landscape designer and horticulturalist Judith Adam provides every crucial step in designing and implementing a landscape plan: from assessing specific needs and planning a budget and timeline, to making the best choices for a successful garden. From her years of experience, Adam describes 200 of her favorite plants, shrubs and trees. This revised edition includes a new chapter on low-maintenance and self-reliant gardening that helps the home gardener get the most out of the space with the least amount of work.

This new edition of Landscape Planning includes:

• 25 fully illustrated step-by-step projects
• 27 fully illustrated Ten Best lists, such as ten best drought-resistant shrubs; ten best plants for autumn display
• A property assessment survey, budget questionnaire and sample four-year plan
• Hardscaping: ideas for steps, sidewalks, fences and lighting
• Softscaping: working with plants, shrubs, trees and lawns
• Techniques for planting, irrigating and fertilizing plants and controlling pests
• A list of tools that every gardener needs
• Plans for a low-maintenance garden -- and much more.

This comprehensive guide is a must-have for homeowners and avid gardeners alike.

(20080719)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Horticulturist and landscape designer Adam (New City Gardener), who frequently appears on HGTV and the Discovery Channel, offers a comprehensive treatment of landscaping for the home gardener, beginning with an objective assessment of the property and prioritizing a list of improvements. A four-year plan allows the landscaping to proceed as time and budget allow. Both hard landscaping (paths, walls, patios, water features, irrigation, and lighting) and soft landscaping (trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, perennials, annuals, and ground covers) are clearly described. Adam pays attention to installing and caring for plants, and she offers 22 "ten best" plant lists for various situations, such as the ten best filtered shade trees (giving both Latin and common names). Other lists describe the ten steps to a better lawn or the ten essential gardening tools. Step-by-step directions are provided for projects such as installing a pond, path, or mowing strip. This exhaustive treatment is comparable to Rita Buchanan's Taylor's Master Guide to Landscaping and could serve as a textbook for a landscaping class. Recommended for all gardening collections. Nancy Myers, Univ. of South Dakota Lib., Vermillion
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Practical is right! Adam covers all the bases in an exceptionally detailed guide to the mechanics of planning and executing every conceivable type of home landscape feature. Whereas countless books explain landscape design (which plant combinations are appropriate for an English country garden look, for instance), Adam does the home gardener a tremendous service with straightforward and user-friendly instructions on every conceivable point to consider before any landscape design can be developed or implemented. Clearly, logically, she breaks down various landscape processes into their most elemental forms: ten points of property assessment, how to measure levels of grade, how drainage tiles work. After mastering the basics, Adam thoughtfully provides essential information to help home gardeners bring their best-laid plans to fruition: how to shop for plants; top 10 lawn-care tips; the 10 best trees for seasonal color. For home gardeners just beginning the landscape process, or for seasoned veterans contemplating a new project, Adam demystifies even the most daunting tasks in a superlative how-to that virtually guarantees success. Carol Haggas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books; Enlarged 2nd edition (February 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554072581
• ISBN-13: 978-1554072583
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 9.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,143,869 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for do-it yourself! Great tips!, February 9, 2005

By 

AHR's mom (Midwest) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Landscape Planning: Practical Techniques for the Home Gardener (Paperback)

It's so handy to have around. I borrowed from the library, but soon after decided I wanted my own copy. It has great tips for all different landscapes. My favorites are the top ten lists - fastest growing privacy plants, slowest growing, perfect plants for between stepping stones, etc.

I've read several landscape books, and I strongly recommend this one to anyone who plans on landscaping by themselves.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best!, September 9, 2007

By 

Thomas Vaughan (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Landscape Planning: Practical Techniques for the Home Gardener (Paperback)

I recently had to educate myself in landscape design (large landscaping job at the house). I looked through many landscaping books, and bought several. This one has turned out to be the best one by far.

There are all sorts of great tips along the way, everything from design do's and don'ts to plant recommendations. But what I most appreciated (and what most other books lacked) was the straightforward walkthrough of how to plan: goals, design, hard landscaping, soft landscaping, and so on. Many so called "landscaping" books are actually just coffee-table books with a lot of pretty pictures but no details on how to come up with a good design. This book really helps you go from zero to a workable landscape design.

When I brought in landscapers to submit bids, I had designs on hand to show them. After looking at them, one gave a sigh of relief and said "oh good, you are way ahead of most people." That's all thanks to this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource Book!!, June 1, 2010

By 

K. DeHaven "Garden Guru" (Winchester, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Landscape Planning: Practical Techniques for the Home Gardener (Paperback)

As a Master Gardener I needed a resource in one place
which included hardscape ideas and practical site solutions
not just plant material info. This book has it all
I highly recommend it!