A practical guide to all aspects of restoring a garden, offering useful advice, whatever your level of gardening expertise or past experience.
Anyone who has inherited an overgrown or derelict garden and faced that perplexing conundrum ‘where do I start?’ will know that an overload of options can induce panic when what is required is clarity of thought and purpose. This book provides the latter. Logical in progression and easy to follow and understand, it inspires confidence from page one. Starting with basic questions that need to be answered about the site before spade slices into soil, Bailey then turns to the practicalities of identifying weeds that are commonly found in gardens with the aid of a picture key and instructions for the revival of plants, which are helpfully cross referenced to more detailed advice later in the book. Assistance is not just horticultural – the recommendation that clashes with neighbours be avoided by discussing pruning and construction work before it starts and guidelines on tree preservation orders and other legalities, are essentials for a trouble-free project.
The mass of detailed practical information from pruning and planting to replacing wobbly fencing, reviving paths and beyond is delivered in easily digestible portions, although the images are not always detailed enough to be instructional. Particularly helpful are basic elements of design and suggestions for a multitude of plants for every conceivable situation, from damp shade to sun-baked patios, while basic re-designs are laid over images of lifeless lawns. These inspire and instil belief that success is achievable.
It’s an ideal book for anyone faced with the prospect of restoring a garden. It leaves the reader with a sense of optimism that, no matter how dire the situation appears to be, with the right information you can create a glorious garden.