Rating: 
Summary: Cultivate this Book; See what Grows
Review: Barbara Damrosch has written the tour de force in practical gardening handbooks for the novice and green-thumbed alike. What is truly impressive in the book is how Damrosch manages to cover so much gardening acreage in one mid-sized book. There are chapters on landscape planning, plant care, gear, buying tips, annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, fruits, bulbs, roses, lawns and ground covers, vines, shrubs, trees, wildflowers, and even house plants. Whew...that was a list. Though it would seem with such an exhaustive table of contents that maybe the gardening reader would get to know far too little about a lot, such is not the case. Once you are done reading trees per say, you feel like you got a fairly thorough branching of the woody subject. Though, if you are solely interested in vegetable gardening let's say, there are more detailed and exhaustive books out there, but chances are someday you will tire of rhubarbs and radishes and get the thorny point to plant a rose or two, you will find on that piercing day that you pine to have bought Damrosch's green bible. I reach for this book time and time again with dirt-caked hands. Before you sow and grow, be well-read and what a better place to start than Damrosch's "Garden Primer."
Rating:
Summary: Cultivate this Book; See what Grows
Review: Barbara Damrosch has written the tour de force in practical gardening handbooks for the novice and green-thumbed alike. What is truly impressive in the book is how Damrosch manages to cover so much gardening acreage in one mid-sized book. There are chapters on landscape planning, plant care, gear, buying tips, annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, fruits, bulbs, roses, lawns and ground covers, vines, shrubs, trees, wildflowers, and even house plants. Whew...that was a list. Though it would seem with such an exhaustive table of contents that maybe the gardening reader would get to know far too little about a lot, such is not the case. Once you are done reading trees per say, you feel like you got a fairly thorough branching of the woody subject. Though, if you are solely interested in vegetable gardening let's say, there are more detailed and exhaustive books out there, but chances are someday you will tire of rhubarbs and radishes and get the thorny point to plant a rose or two, you will find on that piercing day that you pine to have bought Damrosch's green bible. I reach for this book time and time again with dirt-caked hands. Before you sow and grow, be well-read and what a better place to start than Damrosch's "Garden Primer."
Rating: 
Summary: Notice copyright date
Review: Based on the very positive reviews, I purchased this book, and started reading. I thought it a little odd that she mentioned mailorder companies 'beginning to use plastic', and I was taken aback in the section about mulches that the now ubiquitous bags of cedar mulch were not even mentioned. That's when I checked the copyright date. While much of the information is timeless, and the writing style is certainly entertaining, there are some dated items.
Rating:
Summary: The only gardening book you will ever need!
Review: Enough said! What no full-color photo's? None here & you won't even miss them! This book is written in such an easy to understand manner that it reads almost like a novel. It's the only gardening book I ever got through cover-to-cover! A mix of fun & science that walks you through the wonderful world of gardening and really helps you learn & become proficient at it! So unlike any other gardening book I ever purchased! I learned everything I know about gardening from this book & years ater still use it as a reference when taking on new projects!! : )
Rating:
Summary: Loved this book!
Review: I have been using this book on a regular basis for about 10 years. It is a solid general gardening guide and incompasses trees and shrubs, flowers and vegetables. When this book was written, the writer was in Connecticut and I always found it helpful that she was writing based on her experience in a colder climate. Great for a beginning gardener.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite All Around Gardening Book
Review: I have been using this book on a regular basis for about 10 years. It is a solid general gardening guide and incompasses trees and shrubs, flowers and vegetables. When this book was written, the writer was in Connecticut and I always found it helpful that she was writing based on her experience in a colder climate. Great for a beginning gardener.
Rating:
Summary: Every gardner needs this book!
Review: I have had this book for years, and I refer to it again and again. Useful for both the beginner (remember, plant green side up!) and the more experienced gardener, Ms. Damrosch helps you learn to think like a plant. I highly recommend this very readable book.
Rating:
Summary: lucky find
Review: I stumbled on this book entirely by accident, and judged it first by its cover and illustrations, which are appealing. Now that I've actually read it -- What a great resource! Not only is she a good writer, and a careful logical thinker, she's anticipated pretty much every question the novice gardener could have and has explained her topic with grace and wisdom. AND the illustrations are clear and appealing. I'm looking forward to putting her instructions to practice this month.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect starter
Review: If you have never done any kind of gardening before, buy this book before you ever touch your ground. Not only is it helpful as a reference book, but the information is presented in a way that makes it a good read and fun to learn. If you have a garden, this is a must have. There might be better books on specific plants or topics, but there is no better all around gardening book.
Rating:
Summary: The one source-book for down-to-earth gardening advice.
Review: My copy of "The Garden Primer" is worn, tattered, and never on the shelf with the rest of my gardening books. I refer to Barbara's sage advice for everything. It's has allowed me to try new plants, techniques, and garden designs - all without feeling I don't know what I'm doing. It's like having a master gardener watching over you. Be forewarned though - she writes most (if not all) of her gardening experience from a Connecticut/zone 5 background. Those in the desert regions of Arizona may find most her advice useless. Buy it - you'll never need another gardening book again.
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