The First-Time Gardener: Growing Plants and Flowers (The First-Time Gardener's Guides)

by Sean McManus and Allison McManus

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The First-Time Gardener: Growing Plants and Flowers is a tutorial gardening guide by Sean & Allison McManus. Due out 27th April 2021 from Quarto on their Cool Springs Press imprint, it's 176 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats (ebook available currently).

This is an information dense but also upbeat and accessible guide for readers planning and creating their first gardens. There's a lot of general garden siting/building/planning information, so this is also a valuable resource for readers looking for info on growing herbs, and other edible crops. There's also a sister volume with the same layout from the same publisher releasing roughly the same time which is vegetable specific in focus.

The book has a logical layout: a short (easily understandable, not too technical) intro on plants and some good advice with steps on how to *start* (and not get bogged down or overwhelmed) is followed by step-by-step chapters on siting and planning, tools, soil building, seeds and plant material, implementation, seasonal tasks, garden management, troubleshooting and planning for next year. The authors are very upbeat and encouraging and the text is easy to understand.

The book also includes appendices in the form of online links and resources for further reading and tie-in bonus material on the authors' website. They also have a podcast which is worth a listen.

The photography is simply gorgeous. Nearly every page has full color photographs and illustrations.

This is a useful resource. It would make a superlative choice for public or school library acquisition, community garden groups, home library, and for homesteaders and home gardeners. Five stars.

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