in

The Best Gardening Books For Beginners

Who doesn’t love a good gardening book? From stunning photos to in-depth plant knowledge and engaging how-to’s, books are the socially-approved addiction for every garden lover and enthusiast. The only problem I have is deciding upon which books to buy — after all, I only have so much shelf space and budget, and with most gardening books going for up to $50.00, I don’t want to make a mistake.

But you’re in luck — we’ve polled some gardening book authors for their all-time most favorite and useful gardening book suggestions, covering essential gardening topics. Some are classics while others are brand new — but all are inspiring and will help you to be a better gardener.

Book opening to a vibrant garden

Our Top 7 Gardening Books

The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening (DK Adult, 1993) by Christopher Brickell. This 648-page full-color book seems to be a hit among my professional gardening friends and colleagues. You can see from the publishing date that it’s not a new book, but a classic. So if you want one classic gardening book on your shelf, this could be it — from garden design and planning to plant groups, garden maintenance, food gardens, indoor gardens, and how-to projects, everything is covered. It also has a useful gardening calendar with seasonal reminders of common garden chores and activities — it’s always nice to have a reminder!

The New Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (Sunset 2012, 9th edition) by The Editors of Sunset. This best-selling book comes from the editors of the trusted and well-loved Sunset magazine, focused on all things gardening for West coast dwellers. This treasure includes climate zone maps, a plant finder section for problem areas or special effects, and possibly the most beautiful photo gallery with regional examples of edible front yards, fire/water-wise gardens, green roofs and living walls. You will love this book even if you don’t live in the West, too.

Don’t Throw In the Trowel!: Vegetable Gardening Month by Month (CreateSpace Independent Publishing 2016) by Melinda R. Cordell. This is a delightful read that is a wealth of practical knowledge for gardeners, both newbies and experienced. This is a practical, enjoyable read that you will inspire and guide you through the ins and outs of gardening. It even has a month to month guide to keep you on track so you stay ahead of the gardening game!

Building Soil: A Down-to-Earth Approach: Natural Solutions for Better Gardens & Yards (Cool Springs Press 2015) by Elizabeth Murphy. Soil can be a little bit intimidating – trust us, we know! This book does a great job of simplifying and breaking down the idea of soil-building in your garden. You’ll learn to recognize what healthy soil looks like, and have a step by step series that covers how you can get your own soil under control. The author, who has a master’s degree in soil science, even goes over the basics of mulching, composting, cover crops, weeds, and a lot more. If you ever have your hands in the dirt, you’ll want to read this book.

The Monarch: Saving Our Most Loved Butterfly (St. Lynn’s Press 2017) by Kylee Baumle. In the last 20 years, the monarch butterfly population has plummeted by 90%, and this book seeks to rectify that. The author considers herself a “citizen scientist,” and she’ll make one out of you, too, with her engaging monarch facts, jaw-dropping photographs, and action projects for everyone. This award-winning and best-selling book will help you understand how you can help save this magnificent creature…and then will make you want to do it.

All Natural Planting Mix

Kellogg Garden Organics

All Natural Planting Mix

**Product not available in AZ, CA, HI, NV, UT. For a comparable product in these states click here.

Reading in the garden

Lawn Gone!: Low-Maintenance, Sustainable, Attractive Alternatives for Your Yard (Ten Speed Press 2013) by Pam Penick. This timely and best-selling book is ideal for gardeners who want to replace their thirsty, labor-intensive lawn with something that is beautiful, drought tolerant, and easy-care. Penick has regional plant recommendations, step-by-step lawn removal ideas, clever ways to deal with HOAs, and more. A seasoned landscape designer, the author provides the reader with a wealth of motivating ideas and designs for both the beginner and expert gardener.

How Plants Work: The Science Behind the Amazing Things Plants Do (Timber Press 2015) by Linda Chalker-Scott. For the curious and scientific-minded gardener, Chalker-Scott makes plant physiology accessible and fun. With a motto of “The more you know, the better you grow!”, she delves into common garden problems, head-scratching plant mysteries, and fascinating facts to enrich your gardening life. And no need to ever worry about if you can trust the information — the author is an urban horticulturalist, an associate professor, and the brains behind the popular blog, gardenprofessors.com.


Share The Garden Love


Garden books
Gardening books

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *