RHS Tales from the Tool Shed: The history and usage of fifty garden tools

by Bill Laws

RHS Tales from the Tool Shed is an historical, horticultural journey told through fifty pieces of garden gear. A treasure trove of garden paraphernalia, it explores the roots and evolution of objects, names and places, covering everything from the humble spade to architectural ornaments. Practical insights into the usage and maintenance of each tool appear throughout, along with dozens of attractive photographs, etchings and botanical illustrations.

Written by the author of the bestselling Fifty Plants that Changed the Course of History, this is a book to cherish for all gardeners and garden lovers.

• ISBN10: 1845338847
• ISBN13: 9781845338848
• Publish Date: 7 April 2014
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 26 March 2021
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Octopus Publishing Group
• Imprint: Mitchell Beazley
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 224
• Language: English

Reviews

[MurderByDeath]

While this is a beautifully constructed, high-quality book that was a joy to hold and look at, it was ultimately disappointing.  I suppose strictly speaking, it does what it sets out to do: share a history of gardening through 50 garden tools that the RHS has deemed pivotal to modern gardening.  But I should have devoured this and instead I struggled to stay focussed.  The layout is really attractive, and break-out boxes had interesting and useful tips about choosing, using or caring for specific tools, but the writing would have benefitted from stronger editing.  The narratives lacked anything pulling them together and they often felt rambling and disjointed.  More often than not I was skimming and left wanting more.