Landscaping with Wood: The Practical Guide to Building Outdoors [Paperback]

Scott McBride (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1999

A good landscape is so much more than just plants and soil. A well-done wooden structure adds exciting height and dimension to any yard. In Landscaping with Wood, expert builder and gardener Scott McBride helps homeowners, gardeners, builders, and woodworkers add attractive and useful structures to outdoor spaces. He explains all the basics of construction, from choosing materials to the finished product. Step-by-step color photos, detailed instructions, and helpful sidebars on using tools enable homeowners to create beautiful and durable landscape structures. The book covers practical structures such as borders, raised beds, and retaining walls as well as classic arbors, pergolas, and fences.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Most gardens need some kind of structural help to create edging, raised beds, trellises, fences, dividers, and retaining walls. Wood has traditionally been one of the most common and versatile materials to enhance and beautify the garden. Scott McBride, a well-known gardener and professional woodworker, nicely outlines many of the wooden structures that can be used in the garden in this well-illustrated and comprehensive guide. He lays out the planning process; the selection of proper grades and varieties of wood; and the basics of borders and steps, retaining walls, raised beds, fences, gates, arbors, trellises, and pergolas. Individual plans are provided with descriptions of the basic process to create customized projects with beautiful results. --Mark A. Hetts

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561581941
• ISBN-13: 978-1561581948
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,081,619 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive. Pratical & impressive projects for everyone, December 12, 1999

By 

Angel Lee "Liocorno Amethyst Moonstone" (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Landscaping with Wood: The Practical Guide to Building Outdoors (Paperback)

This is one of the most informative and useful outdoor construction books I have seen. It is packed with practical and doable ideas to enhance the structure and beauty of any garden space or outdoor living area.

There is a great section on wood characteristics and making the right selection for your application. Joinery, hardware and finishes for outdoor use are covered in detail. Masonry foundations and heavy timber construction are also included.

Projects include borders, steps and retaining walls. Raised beds can add stable planting areas and decorating opportunities. Free standing structures include arbors, pergolas, trellises and fences with some great design ideas.

Excellent diagrams, step-by-step instructions, tool & safety tips, and a resource guide should help anyone with basic carpentry skills complete some very impressive projects. There is something here for any yard or garden.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for beginners, July 20, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Landscaping with Wood: The Practical Guide to Building Outdoors (Paperback)

I just love this book. I'm new to woodworking.
One of the things I like about this book, is the tips. It doesn't just show you how to put the project together, he gives you tips on making it last.
Although I thought the parts on wood selection would be boring, it will help me to select better wood at the lumber yard.
The pictures are in color and shows you the steps to complete the project. These are practical projects so there are not a lot of fancy trim details, which is great for a beginner. The hardest item is the arbor on the cover page and I think I could do that after looking at the book. Some of the projects will depend on the size area that you have. He doesn't give you a list of materials but tells you the size boards he uses or recommends.
If you're a beginner this book will give you confidence.

2.0 out of 5 stars Beginner's manual, August 23, 2007

By 

J. Hutchinson "gardening junkie" (North Central Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Landscaping with Wood: The Practical Guide to Building Outdoors (Paperback)

Found this very basic. Someone with no introduction to outdoor construction of structures may find it helpful.