Garden Renovation

Starred review from September 15, 2017

For most people, redesigning and reinvigorating a yard with a completely fresh start seems unrealistically time-consuming and expensive. Yet, as landscape designer Schwartz explains in this accessible and humorous book, it should be a gradual process. It starts with evaluating the current plantings, making a plan for the future, and moving deliberately through projects. The author describes what tends to go wrong with yards, such as overgrown and ill-suited shrubs and trees, poor plant selections for the light and water conditions, and old hardscape. Addressing these issues though understanding the goals for the yard, she provides the best plant types to meet those goals and practical information about the time or money required to amend the soil and revitalize decorative beds or other features. In addition to plants and trees, Schwartz has ideas for furniture, sculptures, and mirrors to give the illusion of more space and to suit the landscape. There is also a section on pools and hot tubs. VERDICT Delivering sensible and wide-ranging tips, this useful guide to updating any type of yard is an excellent resource for the casual or inexperienced gardener in suburban or city settings, and in particular for new homeowners.--Margaret Heller, Loyola Univ. Chicago Libs.

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