Garden Makeovers: The Complete Guide to Reviving and Replenishing Your Garden

Quarto, 2000, PP.224, The Complete Guide To Renovating Your Garden

Whether you're purchasing a new home with a large yard or you're living in an apartment with a tiny patch of weeds, Garden Makeovers can help you turn your outdoor space into a beautiful, workable plot of personal paradise. Presuming you already have something to work with, this book takes you step by step through the outdoor renovation process.

The authors note that "a garden is probably one of the few areas of your life where you can express yourself." Read the first chapter and take a good look around. Even if your thumb is more brown than green, you can learn to recognize, work with, and even conquer your yard's limitations.

The second section helps you determine whether your garden needs a quick fix or a complete overhaul. Potted plants and herbs, nearly mature trees, rustic panels or arches, and a coat of paint on that old shed can turn your so-so garden into a lovely bower in little time. The third chapter tackles problem-solving (what kind of plants are best for sandy soil?) and the fourth more elaborate projects. If you're feeling like Martha Stewart, you can even design a formal English garden or a medieval maze.

The full-color photos are inspiring and the language clear and helpful. With a go-to attitude and the proper tools (there's a whole section on what you may need), you can create a garden that reflects your unique style while complementing your home and your yard's natural resources. --Dana Van Nest