How to Be a Gardener

How to Be a Gardener: Book Two is the follow-up to the phenomenally successful How to Be a Gardener: Book One by Alan Titchmarsh, aka TV's Mr Gardening. Titchmarsh's title suggests what many will agree with, namely that gardening is more a state of being than an activity, something to which more or less every waking hour and thought must be dedicated. (The less ambitious Delia Smith, it might be noted, did not call her trilogy How to Be a Cook). Nonetheless, like the first volume, this is resolutely, and rightly, aimed at the virtual beginner--perhaps the ideal reader is the owner of a garden whose sole effort to date has been to look guiltily out of the window from time to time and swear to get round to doing something about it.

This volume, subtitled Secrets of Success, adds to the basic techniques of the first in the practical context of making and maintaining gardens. They aren't secrets, of course--or they won't be once this book starts selling--but the wisdom and knowledge of an experienced gardener and teacher. A quick whisk (three pages) through garden history since the Middle Ages and we're off into an introductory consideration of garden types and how to make the best of what nature and the previous owner have bequeathed. Structure and style established, the remainder of the book the practice. The rather mysteriously titled Vertical Gardening turns out to be about fences, hedges, pergolas--anything that goes up rather than along. Patios, beds and borders, water features, vegetables and wildlife and covered (i.e., greenhouse and conservatory) gardens are each explored in depth, giving all the information the nervous gardener will need to bring it all together. This book privileges good advice and endless reassurance over high concepts. There really is no excuse now not to get on with it. --Robin Davidson

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Excellent advice but for novices only - Rated
I was really tempted to give this book a five star rating but for one point - this is a very short book and, while it does what it says on the cover, if you follow Alan's advice then within a few months you'll want something more detailed. So while it is an excellent volume in its own right it's quite poor value. I wouldn't regard myself as an experienced gardener but even I found only a few pages of information in here that was new to me.

For most people your probably better off saving the money and buying something like the RHS Encyclopedia of gardening, its more expensive but it will last you for years rather than months. Borrow this book (or buy it and sell it again) by all means and it will give an excellent grounding in what you need to do but you will want something more comprehensive later.

great! - Rated
As with Book 1, I found the second in the series an excellent read and extremely helpful. Book 1 gave you the basic knowledge, this one helps you put it into practice. Alan is good at making suggestions for planning your garden, but gives you enough space to apply the principles to your own garden, without feeling you're straying from what is 'right'. Buy this together with Book 1, and you can't go wrong.

Excellent book.

excellent! - Rated
This is a truly wonderful book. It starts at square one and goes through all the very basic things you need to know about gardening. Amalgamating information that one normally finds dotted about a dozen different books, it really helps to get you on your way. Other books confuse, this one gently guides.

Highly recommended. As is Book 2, and I would suggest buying both.

Real Gardening at last! - Rated
I bought this book for my father who is an avid gardener but ended up reading it myself! It is very thorough and doesn't assume previous knowledge of the subject. Great for beginners and for those wishing to brush up on fundamentals which can sometimes get forgotten. It is heartening to see Dr Titchmarsh do something to encourage REAL gardening. Unfortunately, after all, he and his erstwhile Ground Force colleagues are largely responsible for the deplorable trend which has led to half the gardens in the country - certainly half those in my town - being buried under decking,chippings and paving slabs! Maybe Dr Titchmarsh should produce a wildlife gardening book/programme to make up for his role in helping to create all those sterile, plantless concrete wastelands.

How to be a gardener - Rated
I bought this book having moved into my first home with garden. The book gave me many ideas and tips on how to turn my garden from a plot of grass, into a beautiful flower and shrub garden. It explains the terminology used in the book, ie thinning out, dead-heading etc. Being new to gardening this book really helped me achieve good results in my garden without killing everything. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Well worth buying!