The Self-Taught Gardener: Lessons from a Country Garden

by Sydney Eddison

Book Overview

Most introductions to gardening bog down the eager beginner with bewildering theory that has little to do with the pleasures of seeing a flower bloom. The Self-Taught Gardener reveals its differences... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670860719
• ISBN13: 9780670860715
• Release Date: March 1997
• Publisher: Viking
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 7.7" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Popular teacher and lecturer

I have attended many of Sydney's Garden Club lectures and classes at the New York Botanical Garden and by no means is she unexperienced or a novice. Many artists, chefs, designers, authors, etc. are self-taught and have field experience that no classroom can provide.

Easy to read, lots of great information

If you're a brand new or relatively new gardener, this book is great! In an almost conversational style, the writer takes you through the lessons learned during her many years of gardening experience. You will learn from her triumphs and mistakes, but most of all, she encourages you to learn from your own. Complete with lots of tips and plant information, this book is a must have for your garden library.

Sydney Touches the Heart and Dreams of All Gardeners

Sydney inspires all - the beginner, and the expert. She has a compassionate understanding of how gardening touches each of us.I highly recommend all her books!

An excellent and friendly resource for novice to expert

For fans of other books by Sydney Eddison, this one will not disappoint. The motif of the book is that Sydney is that "expert friend" who is always one step, but only one step, ahead of where you are. This book covers all the things you would be wondering about in a logical, easy to follow order. It makes for excellent start-to-finish reading, and will also be an excellent reference over the years. Written in a congenial, friendly style, this book is a wonderful mix of anecdote, scientific detail, and good common sense born of years of learning on the part of the author. She has done a great service by getting it all down on paper and will certainly make the way that much easier for many who follow.This book should be read with pencil in hand, as the sheer number of ideas and insights you will have while reading it will need to be captured.All in all, a wonderful book for those wondering "what do I do now" as well as those with years of experience. Of particular note: the two chapters on "Easy perennials for shade" and "Easy perennials for sun" give you the confidence of where to start when planning your own garden, and form the basis for a lifetime of future learning.

The Perfect Book for a New (Or Old) Gardener

I cannot begin to recommend this book enough. As a new (and admittedly obsessive) gardener, I've purchased some $500 of gardening books in the last few months. This author takes you by the hand, with encouragement, wit and guidance, and leads you into gardening without fear. I've been fretting about color combinations, mistakes, whether I should buy three of a plant (or one or six.......), etc. etc. All of this and so much more is dealt with. I do wish there were some more photographs, but the writing is the draw here. Wonderful recommendations. A superb book.