Member Reviews
I tried to do what was outlined in this book for growing in a container, but I had no luck. To be fair, I have a black thumb, and was trying to learn to get better.
The ironic thing is that I almost wished this book were more basic! There are lots of projects in here; there's lots of foundational advice like what soil to use for vegetable plantings, etc. But I wanted more flower container design inspiration. The book focuses a lot on pests, insects, projects, and maintenance, when I really wanted more ideas on how to create beautiful flower containers. This one is going to be best for people who want to plant veggies in containers.
Excellent book. It is easy to follow and gives you enough of the science behind container growing. I've never had success growing plants in containers and this book made me a success. Now I can grow all of the flowers and vegetables I want.
Container Gardening Complete: Creative Projects for Growing Vegetables and Flowers in Small Spaces by Jessica Walliser is simply written and contains beautiful photographs. The book discusses everything from the correct soil to use when planting, garden pests, and garden projects to make. I loved how the book gives descriptions on how to make your own containers. I love all of the full-color pictures in this book and the ideas shown, from rustic to cottage gardening, from flowers to veggies. This is a handy reference book.
There are 6 chapters in this book, and each one is full of useful information. The chapters cover Getting Started, Designing & Planting your Containers, Caring for your Containers, Troubleshooting, Harvesting & Seasonal Considerations and More Container Concepts.
This book covers the basics, which include pot drainage, choosing the right soil and harvesting to name but a few. In the Troubleshooting chapter, the author has taken the time to explain the different garden pests and how to deal with them along with beneficial insects.
There are a number of projects that could be taken on, such as a Gutter Garden, a Beginner's Berry Garden and a Good Bug Wheel-Barrow Garden. Each project includes the tools you require along with lots of photographs showing you how to go about it.
This is a great book to get you started in container gardening, and just about anything that can hold soil can be used as a container .
Thank you Quarto Publishing Group - Cool Springs Press and Cool Springs Press for the ARC copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Great book with a ton of information on growing plants in containers beginners or even experienced gardeners. This will be one you keep on your reference shelf.
I love plants of all types. Fruits and veggies, flowers, and greenery are all my favorites. I was raised around plants and have them all over my house and yard now. I do know a lot about plants but I also feel you are never to old or to good to learn more, and I did learn more.
This book is packed full of information and tips on Container Gardening. It will teach you how to choose the right size and type of pot, how to get your drainage correct, and so much more. I loved everything about this book.
I really loved the sections on mixed plants in the same pot. I love when puts are filled with different types of plants. but I usually end up putting in at least one pot that over grows or root system takes up to much room, or needs more water then the other plants in the pot and they do not do well. With this book I can now solve that problem.
With Spring almost here I am excited to get started on my house, porch, and yard plants.
I received this book from the Author or Publisher via Netgalley.com to read and review.
Container Gardener Complete is a colourful book, full of projects, ideas and tips on how to turn even the smallest garden into a wonderful container filled area. It is full of photography and excellent knowledge.
There are only 6 chapters in this book, but each one is full of useful information. The chapters over Getting Started, Designing & Planting your Containers, Caring for your Containers, Troubleshooting, Harvesting & Seasonal Considerations and More Container Concepts.
This book covers the important basics, including pot drainage, choosing the right soil and harvesting to name but a few. In the Troubleshooting chapter, the author has taken the time to explain the different garden pests (they are labelled as North American pests but I'm pretty sure we get a fair few here in England too) and how to deal with them along with beneficial insects.
Included in the book are a number of projects that could be taken on, such as a Gutter Garden (recently saw similar being made by Jimmy Doherty on Channel 4's Jamie & Jimmy's Friday Night Feast TV series), a Beginner's Berry Garden (blueberries and strawberries planted together) and a Good Bug Wheel-Barrow Garden (for the beneficial insects). Each project includes the tools you require along with lots of photographs showing you how to go about it.
This is a great book to get you started in container gardening, and just about anything that can hold soil can be used as a container - there was a lovely selection of tiny succulent plants nestled in an old toaster!
I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review
Quite a few tips for the novice gardener like myself. Well laid out so easy to follow.
I quite liked this book. It was full of inspirational projects, covering a wealth of ornamental and edible options, cheap and more expensive. Useful lists of annual, perennial, vegetable and herbs that can be grown in containers. I really enjoyed this - would make a great gift for a gardener looking for inspiration.
Really great book on how to start with container gardening! Easy to follow with great ideas and helpful hints on how to make your container garden the best it can be. Great read and awesome handbook!
Many of the photos were unable to be viewed which is why this got 4 stars instead of 5.
I loved the different ideas, as someone who lived in apartments half my life this is a much needed resource for renters and home owners alike.
Loved this simple and beautiful book! Who would have thought to put plants in a toaster, a toolbox, or a bathtub? (not me!). Not only does it include tips & tricks of making a container garden, it gives descriptions on how to make your own container ('how to make a cedar planter box'). This was right up my alley since I do not have an outdoor garden but have to make do with in-house plants and containers. It's a great quick-guide that I'll definitely keep as a reference book.
This was a truly enjoyable book - especially on a cold, snowy, Minnesota night when I just want to dream about gardening. This is a comprehensive book - not only about container gardening, but about gardening in general - that discusses everything from the correct soil to use when planting, garden pests, and garden projects to make. Specific to container gardening are plant selection (including annuals, perennials, bulbs, etc.) and choosing the right container. I love all of the full-color pictures in this book and the ideas shown, from rustic to cottage gardening, from flowers to veggies. This is a handy reference book (and I assume a great coffee table book, but I read it online so I have no idea what the printed size is). Highly recommend for gardeners (and garden dreamers).
As a horticulture teacher, I'm always on the lookout for good basic books for my beginning students. Often my students don't have their own garden plots and have to garden in containers. Jessica Walliser's "Container Gardening Complete" lives up to its name. It's a book that can grow with the beginning gardener, remaining useful even after they've mastered the basics of soil, plants and container. There is a significant reference section on pests, diseases and beneficial insects. And, principles of Integrated Pest Management are obvious throughout this section.
The book contains an abundance of ideas for design and for recycling items to be containers. And, the author has made an effort to include many different types of plants, not just the "typical" container plants. The basic gardening instructions are easy to follow and nicely illustrated. I will recommend this book to my students who are looking for a good reference.
The only thing I don't like is the cover! There is not a clear focal point, and there are so many more attractive photos inside the book that could make it stand out to the browser!
This book covers a wide variety of topics for the aspiring gardener. A lot of the focus is on backyard gardening, or in small spaces and how you can customize your space to fit the plants you want. As an apartment dweller, I could adapt some of the ideas for self made containers, and most ideas would be easy to make for a house or townhouse. Also helpful was the guide to common pests and the clear pictures depicting them. Recommended plants varies from standard home gardening staples to an interesting idea for a carnivorous plant display. If you want a book that contains ideas for containers, guides for crafting, common pest controls, water gardening, fairy gardening, overwintering care, table displays and much more, this may be the book you want. A very informative read.