As the title suggests, this book is focused on making the most of a small backyard space. It's divided into eight sections and covers a good amount of information. Here is a breakdown of each chapter:
Chapter 1 -- intent (what will you be doing in the garden? when will you be outside? who will be with you?)
Chapter 2 -- design
Chapter 3 -- guidelines for specific elements (like patios, decks, pathways, stairs, etc.)
Chapter 4 -- how to make the most of a small space (through vertical gardening, diagonal gardening, lawn alternatives, focal points, etc.)
Chapter 5 -- how to engage the senses
Chapter 6 -- hardscape elements
Chapter 7 -- low maintenance plants
Chapter 8 -- how to give your garden a sense of space that connects it to whatever region you're in
If you've read a lot of gardening books, much of this info will probably be familiar to you. But author Susan Morrison has a knack for delivering advice in a positive, creative, and engaging way. I found myself excited to change up certain elements of my garden and outdoor living space.
I was especially surprised to realize that I haven't been utilizing our backyard in a way that lines up with our lifestyle. For example (and this is so embarrassingly obvious, but oh well), I watch my kids play outside basically all summer. I love to sit in the sun and relax, but our backyard chairs are uncomfortable and smushed in the corner. Why do I do that to myself? You better believe that, come spring, I'm going to move our comfy chairs out to help make our yard more functional and cozy.
I've also decided I'm going to plant something fragrant by our backyard window, so the scent will waft through the backyard and even into our living room, the most used room of our house.
Little details like that make a difference---sometimes even a really big difference. I loved the quote from Steve Aitken (editor for Fine Gardening magazine) in the preface: "When confronted with something that isn't turning out the way we'd hoped, our impulse is to add something. [And when that doesn't work,] we add something else. What we wind up with is something so full of competing flavors, colors, tchotchkes, or plants that we can't even tell what the problem is anymore."
It's true. We don't need more stuff. We just need clarified and focused intent. An honest look at our own needs coupled with a simple but clear plan can help turn a dysfunctional space (whether sparse and cold or chaotic and overgrown) into a comforting oasis. I love that.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Reviews with images
Super helpful to a beginning gardener
(Picture- yard still a work in progress, but I’m getting there)I’ve always avoided yard work and gardening when I was a kid, as it always seemed too hot and dirty and I had to do some as chores at my parents big suburban yard growing up. But now I’m in a city and I miss the green. My first attempt before this book was I bought some random pretty plants and none of them made it through the winter (ok some didn’t even make it through the summer). This book is great in helping to assess your space and what you want to do before you go buying cute patio furniture and random pretty plants (and how those plants may look great for only 2 weeks). Various plant lists satisfying different criteria I copied out and researched to find the ones that would work for me. Read this book several times as I planned and put together my little city backyard and turned it from a blank concrete cube to a place I enjoy hanging out in. Not just a gardening book, but a whole design for the space book.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2018
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2020
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2021
Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2020
(Picture- yard still a work in progress, but I’m getting there)
I’ve always avoided yard work and gardening when I was a kid, as it always seemed too hot and dirty and I had to do some as chores at my parents big suburban yard growing up. But now I’m in a city and I miss the green. My first attempt before this book was I bought some random pretty plants and none of them made it through the winter (ok some didn’t even make it through the summer). This book is great in helping to assess your space and what you want to do before you go buying cute patio furniture and random pretty plants (and how those plants may look great for only 2 weeks). Various plant lists satisfying different criteria I copied out and researched to find the ones that would work for me. Read this book several times as I planned and put together my little city backyard and turned it from a blank concrete cube to a place I enjoy hanging out in. Not just a gardening book, but a whole design for the space book.
I’ve always avoided yard work and gardening when I was a kid, as it always seemed too hot and dirty and I had to do some as chores at my parents big suburban yard growing up. But now I’m in a city and I miss the green. My first attempt before this book was I bought some random pretty plants and none of them made it through the winter (ok some didn’t even make it through the summer). This book is great in helping to assess your space and what you want to do before you go buying cute patio furniture and random pretty plants (and how those plants may look great for only 2 weeks). Various plant lists satisfying different criteria I copied out and researched to find the ones that would work for me. Read this book several times as I planned and put together my little city backyard and turned it from a blank concrete cube to a place I enjoy hanging out in. Not just a gardening book, but a whole design for the space book.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2018
