Martha Stewart's Gardening: Month by Month

Rating:
Summary: Actually attainable ideas for the "average" gardener!
Review: I know, I know, this is Martha's stuff, the woman we all love to hate! However, the book is arranged in a friendly fashion, giving a month-by-month tour of her gardens, with information on typical chores she will expect from her gardeners that month!

As with everything else Martha does, her gardens are on a grand scale and ambitious. What I like about this book are several things: she gardens in a similar climate zone to mine; her gardens are generally unpretentious, and her English-inspired style is one I enjoy. Each month, she lays out the work needing to be done for the various flower and vegetable gardens, then focuses on a seasonal aspect of her garden. The book is lavishly illustrated, and for those of us who are visual people--what gardener isn't?--the ideas are inspiring.

The information is fairly basic, but actually useful to those who are beginning to garden on a more serious scale. She does not seem to depend heavily on chemical warfare and emphasizes such basics as good soil preparation and the other down and dirty aspects of good gardening. If your gardening budget can afford it and you find inspiration from good garden design photos, this book is worth your time and money.

Rating:
Summary: Good student, but could try harder
Review: Over here in England, we are just beginning to be included in the Martha Stewart 'empire'. (Of cousre we have our own home grown lifestyle gurus, but I think a toughie like Martha could wipe the floor with the lot of them!) As a keen gardener I was eager to get my hands on this book to learn more about American gardening plants and styles, and ideas; to my surprise this book is in essence a rehash of the work of the very English Penelope Hobhouse, Rosemary Verey and Christopher Lloyd! Still, a good book, and a good read, despite the photographic quality not being up to the usual standards for garden books.

Basically, it's good for inspiring beginners; however, if you want to garden in 'le style anglais' go to straight Penelope Hobhouse. As I believe they say in the States - she's got it going on!

Rating:
Summary: Not very good. What a waste
Review: Try the Margaret Roach book which is excellent or even a Jerry Baker book. Martha probably enever did any real gardening in Nutley, NJ.