Monty Don at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (Image: Getty)
Sunshine and unfrosted earth have got the busy already, and they might also have inspired you to think about how you might create your own backyard Eden. If you’re new to gardening or you’re rekindling an old interest, it can be difficult to know how to get started. As with many homely pursuits, taking a look at the professionals from the telly is rarely a bad idea – and this Amazon book deal will get you well on your way.
If you’re looking to create a beautiful garden, set up a vegetable patch, or just learn more about the wonderful world of gardening, we highly recommend a hardback copy of for £16.63 down from £30. There’s also a Kindle edition available for £9.99.
Bursting at the bindings with gorgeous illustrations and photos, this hefty book from Monty Don has all the essential knowledge you need to make a success of your garden or allotment. Monty gives his own hard-won insights into the best ways to grow vegetables, fruits, flowers, and herbs whilst respecting the environment, covering everything from planning out your space to rotating your crops and keeping your soil healthy.
Structured for accessibility to both seasoned pros and complete beginners, the book is written as though you’re in conversation with the man himself. Fantastic amounts of knowledge and insight have scarcely been more digestible, and it’s a joy to read for both entertainment and practical reasons.
With a whopping you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more highly-rated book on gardening. “Useful info, presented in a sumptuous way, which doesn’t make things either too vulgar or too unrealistic or unaffordable,” said one five-star review. “That’s why I like the programmes – a bit of graft and we can make anything beautifully wild. This just shows you how.”
“I have a bookshelf full of gardening books by renowned gardeners, but this one is special,” said another rave review. “At first I couldn’t put my finger on exactly why, then it came to me, reading it was like walking around the garden with a friend and chatting. Some gardening books, although knowledgeable and full of advice, can often be a bit dull and sometimes hard going, but this one was a pleasure to read from start to finish.”
From landscaping to veggies, wildlife to flowers, Monty shares his wisdom (Image: Amazon)
Another added: “I’m only a few sections in and have learnt so much! The pictures are wonderful and the book is brilliantly written. Seemingly updated to include the worries around climate change, which is very helpful. There is no arrogance to this book. Monty has been the guru of gardening for so many years, yet he is open about his mistakes and lessons learned.”
Of course, even the best of us can fall short of some people’s expectations. “It’s an okay book, he does waffle a bit too much at times instead of getting to the point,” said a three-star review. “I sold it recently after it being read cover to cover just once. Lacked informative photography.”
Another found it didn’t speak to their particularly gardening interests: “I bought this book to plan and get ideas for my own garden. It has lots of pictures for very large gardens, but it’s not informative for me re planting, etc. I would not recommend, and it’s a little pricey for what it is.”
If you’re keen to explore other options, check out the at Waterstones. at WHSmiths, which may be of particularly interest to anyone who reckons supermarket fruit and vegetables are lacking homegrown quality.