My favorite outdoor activity is gardening, particularly flowers, although I enjoy vegetable gardening as well. Spring is on the way and before we know it, Summer will be here. I was able to review several Better Homes & Gardens new gardening books that I’d like to share with you.
Better Homes & Gardens Gardening Made Simple
I actually learned all that I know about gardening from my mother-in-law. For our first home, she split all of her plants from her garden and gave them to me. She showed me how to plant and prune and eventually split perennials. At the time, I lived in Copley, Ohio near a celery farm. The earth was black, rich, and everything thrived that I planted. It was an easy place to fall in love with gardening.
This is a must-have gardening book for any gardening lover, especially for newbies. What a fantastic birthday or Mother’s Day gift! The Better Homes & Gardens Gardening Made Simple: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Gardening is beautifully illustrated and packed with 65 step-by-step gardening projects and more. This 359 page book is pure inspiration for the gardening.
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Better Homes & Gardens Gardening Made Simple is laid out in sections, so you can flip to the category of interest. Learn about choosing the right tools, soil, lawn, trees, foliage, vines, edibles, mulching, watering, pruning, weeds, and more. It’s a one-source book for everything related to outdoor gardening.
It’s not just a bunch of pretty pictures, although there are over 1,200 color photos in the book. For instance, when looking up information on mulch, you’ll find out when you should mulch, how much, how to find a deal, how much to apply, where to apply, and more.
Better Homes & Gardens Orchid Gardening
Orchids are beautiful. Although I find them intimidating to care for, they are a lovely addition to any room or garden. My in-laws have several orchids in their home. It adds a graceful beauty to a home. The Better Homes & Gardens Orchid Gardening book is a complete guide for planning, planting, and taking care of orchids. There are 525 amazing color photos of more than 200 varieties of orchids to inspire you.
[slickr-flickr tag=orchidgardening]The orchid encyclopedia gives a photo and description of the many varieties and their needs. I didn’t know that there were so many different kinds. Although this book gives excellent descriptions and photos on how to care for orchids, I will be giving this book as a gift to my in-laws. They enjoy the art of caring for orchids and could definitely pick up useful hints in this orchid gardening book. I’ll just enjoy seeing the benefits when I visit. 🙂
Better Homes & Gardens Herb Gardening
Each year, I plant a few herbs in my garden. I always plant cilantro for home made salsa. I’d like to learn more and plant more herbs this year. The Better Homes & Gardens Herb Gardening book has given me a head start to planning for an amazing herb gardening season that lies ahead. I’m so excited to put into practice all of the tips and tricks I’ve learned from this book.
[slickr-flickr tag=herbgardening]Better Homes & Gardens Herb Gardening is beautifully illustrated with 575 full-color photos. This herb guide gives step-by-step instructions and photos on how to care for herbs from planning to drying. And if you are like me, you need ideas on how to use the herbs once you have a bounty of them. This book includes 35 herb recipes to try. I can’t wait to try the herbal tea recipe! It sounds delicious on a cold day like today.
Better Homes & Gardens Water Gardening
Last year, we spent a lot of time getting our grass in shape and building flower beds. This year, I hope to find time to do at least some sort of water garden. I know it would be a huge hit, especially with my kids. 🙂 With the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park beside us and lots of yard space, adding a water garden would complete the outdoor living space.
[slickr-flickr tag=watergardening]Better Homes & Gardens Water Gardening book boast 325 gorgeous color photos with step-by-step water gardening project guides. Although I’d love to have some sort of rock based water fall, step by step guide included, I don’t think that is on the to-do list this summer. I think that adding a fountain to our landscape is a much more do-able project for this summer. It takes just a couple hours to build and would look super cool around the patio.
Win 4 Better Homes & Gardens Gardening Books (Cl0sed)
You have the chance to win all 4 Homes & Gardens Gardening Books listed above. $85 value!
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Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on March 27, 2012 when a winner will be drawn at random. I will notify the winners and they will have 36 hours to respond or another winner will be selected!
This was not a paid post. My own opinions were used based on my perceptions and experience. Thank you to Better Homes & Gardens who provided the products for review and giveaway.
