Vegetable and Herb Expert - D.G. Hessayon

Advantages: Well layed out, packed full of information
Disadvantages: Needs regular updating to include new strains

...As an amateur gardener, this book is my bible for Vegetable growing. As with all of the other books in the ‘Expert’ series, it is clearly and accurately written, with chapters on digging, crop rotation, soil types, as well as an alphabetical list of all the commonly grown vegetables in the UK and suggested strains to use. The book tells you when to plant or sow, how to space your seedlings, caring for your plants, pest control, and when to harvest. It also details some less commonly grown vegetables and herbs, such as Jerusalem Artichoke and Dandelion. A wonderful book that every gardener should own.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Information for the novice gardener
Disadvantages: none

...Another Dr Hessayon book that I added to my collection after doing a NVQ Horticulture course at college. The book is easy to read and the layout is easy to get around. The book covers an explanation about what bulbs are and what the different type of bulbs do. The book has a section on different varieties of bulbs which are placed in alphabetic order, which does really help. The book covers everything from site and soils, gives great plant details and there propagation. Also some fantastic and clear photo evidence is shown to make is easy to identify the bulbs. The book also covers plant and planting care, How to increase your stock and also where to plat your bulb to get the best out of them, for example shady or sunny areas in your garden. Basically this book will give the information so you will have plants all year round... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: User-friendly layout
Disadvantages: Index difficult to read

...I own almost all 'Expert' books by Dr D.G. Hessayon. They're handy, practical, crammed with solid information and advice. All of them are useful for gardeners from beginner to professional. However, 'The Flowering Shrub Expert' is by far the best. It's sensible layout makes it so user-friendly that it should serve as a model for all gardening books. Practically all flowering shrubs suitable for British gardens are included, with their advantages, disadvantages, and quirks. They are arranged alphabetically according to their latin names, with the common name also included in each headline. The typical page shows two plant entries, each covering a vertical half page, and framed in a box. Under the plant name (Latin plus common) comes a detailed coloureddrawing of a plant detail, usually the tip of a branch with flowers... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful