Small Garden (Collins Gardening)

by Joe Swift

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Create Your Own Small Garden is one of a set of accessible gardening guides by Joe Swift covering a range of gardening topics. Due out 3rd March 2022 from Collins Reference, it's 224 pages and will be available in ebook format.

This is a well written garden tutorial and inspiration book aimed specifically at designing and gardening effectively within the constraints of working with limited space. The author does a really good job of highlighting specific potential problem areas and providing creative solutions. The information is written in clear and concise blocks with special tips written directly on the photo illustrations.

The chapters are arranged thematically around specific design elements: surfaces, boundaries, creating privacy, storage, raised beds, container gardening, roofs and balconies, and a lot more. The second part of the book contains a good listing of plants, shrubs, trees, bulbs, and perennials for every purpose. Many of them are chosen for their limited size or suitability/toughness vs. urban or less than ideal situations. Plant listings contain the botanical (Latin) nomenclature as well as common name, a description, and colour photos showing foliage and flowers (if applicable).

The book's terminology and climate information are based on UK English, although most of the information is certainly applicable to gardeners outside the British Islands.

Five stars. This would be a good choice for public and school libraries, gardening groups, community/allotment gardens, suburban gardeners, homeowners, etc.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.