Perfect Gardening Book

"Pimitive" may not be the right word Dai.

As for "style", well best not to go there.:D

I agree a perfect book is not likely to ever be written.

But as I said earlier, a book based on someone's own experiences, rather than what they learnt at horticultural college would be a start.

I assume we are talking paperback here rather than encyclopaedia.

They would miss some things out, for sure but it would be honest writing, with lots of pics of their own successes and a few of the failures.

 

What I am thinking of is a book based on my gardening through the year, from winter digging, through the growing, raising, planting and growing of vegetables and flowers. Then proper maintenance of the garden (s) in general and plants in particular.

 

Jack, just beacuse you don`t know the answers doesn`t mean you are thick, so get THAT thought out of your head right now.

 

You do that one David and i'll do the one for absolute, total, never looked outside the back door before, beginners

 

I`d be up for a group effort.:D

 

I`ve already started taking the photos and planning the sections.

 

I think most gardening books have vital details missing that are so easy to cover. I think because the author takes it for granted that everyone knows the basics.

Here's some of my thoughts.

1. What exactly is 'full sun', 'part shade' and 'full shade'? I've seen definitions like 'at least 6 hours direct sunshine per day', but we never get that in England. I still don't know which bits of my garden are 'full sun' locations.

2. Of course we should sprinkle some general purpose fertiliser on our veg patch a couple of weeks before sowing (said Alan Titchmarsh), but how much fertiliser? And do we just leave it on the surface or work it under?

3. Why shouldn't we sow seed a month earlier than the seed packet says?

4. When we 'dead head' our flowers 'to sustain the flowering period', at what stage exactly do we cut the dead heads off? I know we get this from experience, but surely the point of a book is to pass on that experience to save someone else a bit of time. Do you wait to the flower is brown and crispy, or while its in its prime? Or something else?

5. When we top dress our lawns, how exactly do we go about that?

6. For different microclimate types, what are the five best plants that are easily found in most garden centres, for those spots? Many books give recommendations, but they usually name stuff that requires lots of web searching and mail ordering. As a novice, I'd like to go to B&Q and see plants that I've read about.

7. How can we save a bit of money? Maybe mention things like caring for plants from casualty corner that need a bit of TLC, buying plants just after their flowering period, and keeping them in a low key position until next year.

There's lots of things really. I'd say instead of trying to demonstrate your knowledge (which most authors do), better to pass on your experience in real, down to earth, terms.

Don't say 'propogate from semi ripe internodal cuttings' Instead say 'cut a piece of stem off when its rigid but not brittle, and cut it just below some leaves and stick it in water' (or however it is done).

Excellent. I look forward to buying the first edition off Amazon

 

Can be done

Some/many years ago, lots of people new to the internet were struggling,what to do
Twenty of us ie the "CABAL" Made a web site, in very basic beginners walk through of how to do "everything"
My forte was email and usenet groups
others wrote for modems, and drivers
After 12 weeks the site was up and running,( still is only it has gone the way of gardening books, taken forgranted that people now know all the jargon and the basic connection information) I am too busy to input anymore, as are several of the others, so it is left to a few stalwarts who continue to this day

Your idea of a DIARY of your year, would be excellent, so long as you make it for BEGINNERS and PRO's
Sort of

Feb 02 planted potatoes, then an idiots guide into what is involved in planting potatoes for me and a few like me
So I am happy and the gardener who need a guide is happy ie he has a start date, I have a start date AND how to actually do it

THATS THE DIARY /GARDENING SORTED

NOW FOR the basic gardening book
Get a CABAL each with their own specialist subject to input to your book IF you do not have the time yourself (I Know you have the KNOWLEDGE)

Jack McH

 

Clueless, these are the type of questions I would like to answer.

 

Jack, it wouldn`t be a diary as such. I garden through all the seasons, and I would explain what I am doing, how I am doing it and why I am doing it. Plus, my opinion on how it could be improved.

 

Only me!

i'm again with Jack on this regards knowing a simple thing as a date to start the like of pots, toms and such as I have seen different books/ mags say different dates where as longstanding members of GC know best when, how and where ie greenhouse, cold frame and also what.

Dai if you are serious then I would put me money where me fingertips are and purchase a copy. I thought about my post yesterday and still think it would be a great idea for other "Elders" (with respect) of GC to input with their own selected areas such as Roses, alpines root veg, salad, herbs and such.

Right behind you though and would be very proud too

 

Armandii, it is meant to be a gardening book, not a deep, phylosophical tome on the esoteric meanings of Mother Nature.:D