The New Gardener’s Handbook by Daryl Beyers is a comprehensive book that has just about everything there is to know about gardening. This guide starts off with some of the science behind plants and roots, and then gets into the actual art of gardening. It is a book that should be on every gardener’s shelf.
Author: Daryl Beyers
Publisher: Timber Press
Genres: Lifestyle, Non-Fiction
Publication Date: February 18, 2020
Rating:
Every new gardener has to start somewhere—and the process can be intimidating. Knowing when and what to plant, how to care for the plants once they’re in the ground, and how to keep pests and diseases away is a lot to take on. Luckily, Daryl Beyers—an expert from the New York Botanical Garden—has written what will be a go-to resource for decades to come. The New Gardener’s Handbook is a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of gardening, based on the introductory gardening class that Beyers teaches at NYBG. Readers will learn about soil, plant selection, propagation, planting and mulching, watering and feeding, pruning, and weeds, pests, and diseases. The information applies to both ornamental and edible plants. Featuring inspiring photography and helpful illustrations, The New Gardener’s Handbook gives home gardeners a foundation upon which they can grow, and encourages them to apply the lessons they’ve learned in an intuitive, natural way.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: The New Gardener’s Handbook by Daryl Beyers
While this book is geared to those who are just learning how to create a beautiful garden, there are quite a few tips and ideas included in the how-to guide. Aside from the scientific aspects of plants, Beyers discusses many techniques in depth that make this a superb reference to even a seasoned gardener. The contents of the book include:
- Preface: The Science and Art of Gardening
- Get Gardening: Balancing the Roots and the Shoots
- Soil: Nourishing the Roots
- Plant Selection: Matching Plants to Place
- Germination: Starting Plants from Seeds
- Planting and Mulching: Establishing Plants the Right Way
- Watering and Feeding: Balancing Between Nature and Nurture
- Vegetative Propagation: Making Plants from Plant Parts
- Pruning: The Right Cut in the Right Place at the Right Time
- Weeds, Pests, and Diseases: Working with the Bad, the Good, and the Ugly
❀ A Lot to be Learned from this Handbook
As you can tell, there is quite a lot to be learned from this handbook on gardening. You can jump into any section and get a real idea for how to complete each task. The beautiful images are also quite helpful and the instructions are easy to follow.
❀ A Gardening Book to Watch For
The New Gardener’s Handbook by Daryl Beyers is perfect to get some gardening inspiration. As it is the end of January at the moment and my garden is currently under a layer of snow and ice, this gardening book has me dreaming of summer. I have bookmarked several ideas and I am looking forward to starting some plants from seeds and trying out Beyer’s tips for propagating plants. If you are excited to learn about gardening, This book is one book to watch for!
About Daryl Beyers
Daryl Beyers is gardening certificate program coordinator at the New York Botanical Garden, where he helps shape the education department’s curriculum, and teaches the popular Fundamentals of Gardening course. He has had more than twenty-five years of professional landscaping experience, specializing in residential garden design and development. As a staff writer, photographer, and editor for Fine Gardening magazine, he authored two special issues on garden design, and he served as contributing garden editor for Martha Stewart Living. His articles on gardening and garden design have also appeared in Horticulture and HGTV Magazine. He maintains an active speaking schedule throughout the year, presenting at a wide variety of garden shows and clubs across the country, both independently and on behalf of NYBG.
About Lori
Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.