I'm trying to dive into the world of landscaping and gardening, especially focusing on grass, plants, shrubs, and flowers. I've been on the hunt for some quality books, but every time I search for gardening guides, I'm overwhelmed with results mainly about vegetable gardening. And if I look for landscaping books, it seems like they mostly target businesses or design. My goal is to spruce up my yard, learn to care for my trees, and maybe build a few small structures, but I'm completely lost on where to begin!
3 Answers
You should definitely check out "The Sunset Western Garden Book"! It’s awesome for both designing and growing gardens. I found that book super helpful.
Make sure the info you find is relevant to your area! Some books suggest things that just won't work for certain climates (like needing 4 inches of sand for pavers—it totally depends on where you live). Also, check out your local county co-operative extension website; they have tons of useful info specific to your region's gardening needs.
I feel ya! A good tip is to hit up a larger library and check their landscaping section specifically; it's separate from gardening. I tried this recently, but my local library was pretty small, so I didn't find much. If you're searching online, try looking for DIY landscaping instead—there seem to be more resources tailored for individuals rather than big commercial projects!

Haha, same here! My library's more like a community hangout than a resource for gardening books. I just want to find some solid info!