A comprehensive guide to planning planting and maintaining a small garden This in-depth reference packs a lot of information and expert advice into one easy-to-use resource It is designed to help home gardeners discover the potential in a small piece of land and guide them step-by-step through the process of transforming it into a garden with oversized impact The book works forward from planning a garden and making difficult design choices to installation and maintenance Each chapter instructs on numerous related topics such as the examples below and presents an illustrative case study Basics - ways to reveal your plots potential understanding soil evaluating hardscaping making a plan Design - ways to make instant impact principles of design Styles - ways to find your style Style Portfolio Materials - ways to exploit materials simple rules of laying paving changes of level Boundaries - ways to buff up your boundaries materials plants Structures - ways to use garden structures storage hideaways green roofs raised beds an outdoor office Water - ways to enjoy water planning a pond mirror-like water dynamic water plants fish Planting - ways to improve a planting design habitats styles long-term and short-term design statements Upkeep - ways to simplify the garden seasonal and monthly housekeeping tasks The book also features an inspirational portfolio of small gardens and provides all the information needed to install these designs For example the handy steps to create lists cover Japanese Mediterranean Exotic Ecological Cottage-garden Arts and Crafts Modernist Conceptualist and Urban gardens Small Garden Handbook is ideal for the home gardener Each of the gardens featured in the books photographs provides exceptional inspiration for gardeners at all levels of expertise.
