Book Review - Shed Decor

The humble shed for many years a welcome retreat for a hen pecked husband to disappear too to get away from the wife. But like everything else in life the shed which was once the sole retreat for a man to turn to is now becoming beautified by the lady of the house.

A shed is now not just a place to store tools it has become an extension of the house and is almost being used as an extra room. This change in use is being encouraged in Sally Coulthard's new book Shed Decor published by Jacqui Small in her new book she covers. Shed styles everything from hand made sheds from recycled materials right through to sleek ultra modern sheds. The second half of the book covers the interior of the shed furniture, painting as well as heating and electric basically everything you need to know to get your shed looking great. This book will make a great reference book for any one wanting to spruce up there shed into a garden room.

Available from all good shops RRP £25.99

ISBN 9781909342804



My first gardening book

It was World Book Day yesterday so it got me thinking about all the gardening books I have read over the years.

I have many books shelves full of them I would love too turn a room into a mini library but the wife is not so keen on the idea. One book I treasure is the first gardening book I ever got my dad bought it for me from a library sale when I was little it was Activities for young gardeners by V E Graham.

 

I used to love this book and would look through it regularly and my girls often look through it as well. It is like a proper gardening book but aimed at children it covers propagation, veg growing even how to build and light a bonfire which you would defiantly not get in a children's book theses days. So this is the book that got me into my obsession with books that I still have today I love rows and rows of books. I don't want one of those modern book readers it just is not the same you need to be able to feel the paper between your fingers so give me a proper book any day.

The best Veg book i have read for a long time

Charles Dowding new book How to create a new Vegetable Garden is the best vegetable gardening book I have read for a long time. Published by Green Books

I have a book case full of vegetable growing books in my living room and this one is my new favourite's. Charles is the king of the No Dig garden he has mastered this method of gardening over a number of years in his garden in Somerset. He has written many gardening books over the years all about growing vegetables so who better to write a book about creating your own vegetable garden. This book covers how Charles has turned his new garden in to the highly productive garden that it is today all with out digging a bit of it. The book is a step by step guide to turn a lawn or a weedy patch in to a highly productive garden with out ever turning the soil over. This book is spit in to two parts the first part covers clearing the ground and preparing the soil. The second part is all about sowing and growing each part of the book is split up into smaller chapters such as Clearing ground, Hotbeds etc. This is a very personal book written about Charles own experiences about setting up his new garden. I would be surprised after reading this book if you where not inspired to get out there and start growing your own. If you only every had the choice to buy one vegetable gardening book then this would be the one I would recommend.

Available from all good book shops or direct from the publisher Green Books RRP £19.99

www.greenbooks.co.uk

ISBN 978057842442



Book Review - The Flower Farmers Year

There is nothing more cheerful than a bunch of flowers and it's even better if you have grown them your self. Everyone considers growing flowers for the garden to give pleasure outside but not many people grow them to cut for the house. When most people think about getting a bunch of flowers there first port of call is the local florist or worst of all the garage forecourt. But most of these flowers have been flown from all over the world traded at markets up and down the country. Creating a massive carbon foot print not to mention all the chemicals and artificial fertiliser that was thrown on them as they grow. Many years ago every town and city had several flower farmers producing all year round and there produce never travelled many miles from where it grew. But now there is a great new book to help get you started growing your own cut flowers in your own garden and even turn your garden into a business. The Flower Farmers Year by Georgie Newbery is a new inspirational book that by the time you have read it you will want to get outside and plant up a cut flower patch of your own.

Georgie is an Artisan flower farmer and florist she grows all her flowers from her small holding in Summerset and delivers them all over the UK. Everything is covered in this book from starting your first cut flower patch to going in to business Even the Tax man gets a mention. I have always planted and grown flowers in the garden and cut bunches for the house. But never planted any with the intention of cutting them for the house. But after reading The Flower Farmers Year this is going to change next year I am going to select several variety's to cut for the house.

 

This is a great book for the budding flower farmer, florist or even the seasoned pro will learn a thing or two. With Christmas coming up it will make a great present for any gardener it's only £19.99 available from all good book shops or direct from Green Books

 

Georgie also has a website where you can buy her flowers or even book one of her workshops. 

 

ISBN: 9780857842336

 



Book review - Companion to Scented Plants

 The Royal Horticultural Society have just released a new book which is published by Frances Lincoln. If you ever wanted to know anything about scented plants then this is the book you need to have on your book case.

Written by the writer, broadcaster and designer Stephen Lacey, Steven is a prolific writer and has written many books he is also a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and The RHS Garden magazine. The book is also packed full of lots of lovely photographs these are all the work of Andrew Lawson who is not just a photographer but also a published author in his own right. So you know straight away that this is going to be a good book The RHS Companion to Scented Plants is a weighty book. With over 1000 scented plants included in this book but it's not just about the plants it about themselves it's also about how to use them in the garden. One of the greatest joys about stepping into the garden is the scent that is given off by the plants especially on a hot summers day Now the scent that is given off by plants is not just there for our enjoyment it's primary use is to attract pollinating insects and bees. Towards the back of the book there is a great calendar which will help you get scent in the garden all year round everyone tends to think of scent through the summer months, but there are lots of great plants that flower in the winter and early spring that give masses of scent to the garden. This is a great and inspirational book that show how to get the most scent into your garden and would make a great book to receive or give this Christmas whether for the experienced or novice gardener.

The RHS Companion to Scented Plants is available now from all good book shops RRP £25.00.

ISBN 9780711235748

Book Review - A Miscellany For garden Lovers

A Miscellany For Garden Lovers fact and folklore through the ages written by David Squire is a lovely new book.

 This book is packed full of lots of great information some fact and some folk law the book has been split into four sections. Early garden tools, Conserving moisture in soil, Plant folklore and Healing gardens thanks to this book i now no why me and the wife argue. I did not know that mistletoe is also called the good luck, bad luck plant the good luck coming from getting to kiss your lover under it. But if the Mistletoe is not burned on the 12th night all who have kissed under it will be quarreling before the year is out. This is one of those books that you can pick up read a couple a pages and pick it up another time.

The author David Squire has written 80 books over the years and was awarded the Garden Writers of America ‘Quill and Trowel’ award. David studied Horticulture at RHS Wisley and also Hertfordshire College of Horticulture.

With Christmas coming up this would make an ideal gift that any gardener would love to receive and is available from all good book shops from the 13th November.

Or direct from the publisher Green Books it is also at a great price of £9.99

 ISBN 9780857842749

BOOK REVIEW - Outdoor Survival

 Ever wanted to walk off into the woods with only the clothes on your back and at the end of the day have a three coarse dinner and shelter to spend the night in. You can do now if you take the new Haynes Outdoor Survival manual with you it will give you all the knowledge that you will need to survive. 

Written by Dave Pearce who is an expert in all things survival being a former Royal Marine Commando. Is an adviser to the TV and Film industry working with such names as Bruce Parry and Bear Grylls. In May 2003 Dave reached the summit of Mount Everest via the more challenging North face.

The book is split up into sections essential equipment, finding food etc. with each section being split up again giving lots of detail and step-by-step instructions.

But this book is far more useful than just as a survival manual there are lots of useful techniques and skills. That can be used in everyday life map reading, knots and first aid are all covered in this book. Have a problem with rabbits in your garden and have been struggling to get rid of them Dave covers simple traps you can use, Right through to preparing the rabbit for the pot.

This is a great book not just for the budding adventurer but any one who like's the great outdoors. You never know when some of these skills covered in the book will come in handy. It will make a great Christmas present for any man or teenage boy / girl.

Available from Haynes books or any good book shop RRP £12.99.

Outdoor Survival by Dave Pearce

ISBN 978 0 85733 487 9