A manual and political tract advocating a change in America's landscaping ideology, arguing that it involves too much water, pesticide, herbicide, and exotic plant uses.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Advocates of native-plant gardening, the Wasowskis (Gardening with Native Plants in the South) call for a landscaping revolution that eliminates America's traditional broad expanses of labor-intensive lawns. The authors argue in economic terms, stating that turf and lawn maintenance "is a $27 billion a year industry--ten times more than we spend on school textbooks." Accepting that the greatest barrier to changing the traditional landscape arises from concern about neighbor disapproval and local zoning regulations, the authors provide guidance for making gradual landscaping changes. They offer suggestions of native plants for diverse micro-climates and specific regions of the U.S., demonstrating that gardening with nature can be less time-consuming than gardening against her, with results that are both aesthetic and interesting. Using groundcovers, native grasses and perennials adapted to a specific locale, the Wasowskis maintain, will also reduce the need for fertilizer and lower the risk of diseases and insect invasions. Photographs of landscapes, taken before and after renovation, and a comprehensive list of native plant societies add to the value of this book for gardeners who want to join the revolution but aren't certain how to begin. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Adult/High School-For the legions of suburban teens who are environmentally conscious, hate doing yard work, and have never made a connection between the two attitudes, this book can provide many epiphanies and perhaps even some ways to reconcile their differences with their parents. From its witty cover, featuring a fist raised against an army of lawn maintenance workers, to its appendix, which lists native plant organizations in every state, theory and practice are successfully melded in this passionate and highly entertaining polemic against conventional landscaping practices and aesthetics. The author points out with satisfaction that "natural" styles and methods of gardening and landscaping are the fastest-growing segment of the field, and clearly explains the reasons why. Every page features dramatic graphics, colorful photos, and cartoons. A variety of sidebars feature subjects ranging from sharp criticism of Merit Badge projects as currently defined by the Boy Scouts to a series telling the stories of "Landscaping Revolutionaries" such as lawyers, gardeners, and architects who are fighting successfully to make landscape practices more environmentally sound and wildlife-friendly. Numerous projects are suggested that would be feasible for teens to undertake, and readers converted to the cause might well be inspired to put some of these ideas into practice. For the rebel, the activist, and the nature lover, this book is not just delightful and inspiring-it's a persuasive and effective call to action.-Christine C. Menefee, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
I'm ready to join,
By Sheldon Weisgrau (Lawrence, KS USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Landscaping Revolution: Garden with Mother Nature, Not Against Her (Contemporary Gardener) (Hardcover)
In an easy to read format with great illustrative photos, the authors do a fantastic job of convincing the reader to opt out of the suburban lawn fantasy and boldly go into the next century of gardening. They make a convincing case for a no hassle garden and lawn(if you must), but could have provided more resources for do-it-yourself gardeners-most of the gardens were designed by professionals. I'm planning my new garden now with the help of anybody I can talk to. I enjoyed the chapter on people who had been taken to court for their gardening efforts.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Practical and eye opening advice,
By
This review is from: The Landscaping Revolution: Garden with Mother Nature, Not Against Her (Contemporary Gardener) (Hardcover)
This book has to have the most unappealing cover that I have ever seen. That thought aside, the authors do provide a sound case against what most Americans think of as "good landscaping". Get rid of the water guzzling lawn, bring on the native plants! It is a book with a good message and should be read.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Darn Good Book!,
By
This review is from: The Landscaping Revolution: Garden with Mother Nature, Not Against Her (Contemporary Gardener) (Hardcover)
I was kind of shocked to see that this title is now out of print. This is a real shame as this book deserves to be widely read. One reader here suggested that the book's cover may have put off too many possible readers--too radical. He might be right about that. But the author here is trying to kick off a sort of gentle green revolution and the cover certainly didn't offend me!I liked Landscape Revolution, very much and I would like to see the book used as a text for landscape classes. I do some landscape design myself and have taught it and this book would be a good one for students. All too often only one side of the coin is taught in our universities when it comes to horticulture and especially to landscape. The conventional way of thinking, with its heavy reliance on pesticides and chemicals and cloned cultivars, this is always taught. But the flip side, the holistic, organic approach, as found here, this is too often excluded. Landscape Revolution is well written, makes plenty of sense, and is a pleasure to read too. I heard Andy talk once in Columbus, Ohio, and he was a big hit, very dynamic speaker. He writes the same way. I write myself (Safe Sex in the Garden, Ten Speed Press) and I appreciate a job well done. I am not positive this book is for everyone, but for someone who likes to garden, who appreciates a fine landscape, and for someone who isn't too hung up on better living through chemistry, I'd certainly recommend this excellent book.
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