This book is for guitarists. It's also for plumbers, housewives, bankers, stenographers, politicians, barbers, and lumberjacks. It is for everyone who has ever had that agrarian urge to duplicate the beauty seen in garden catalogs or at parks and nurseries. The Editors at B.H. & G.

{HISTORY}

Before there was the internet, there were handy garden guides like this one produced by Better Homes & Gardens, go-to authorities that helped consult you on every aspect of garden design. From patio construction to pavers, flowers to fencing, vegetables to native vegetation BH & G had all your answers. 

Spanning 17 chapters and 400 pages, this is a fascinating look at garden planning at a time when people were connecting with the land in a fresh, natural and renewed way.  In 1972, when this New Garden Book edition was published, growing things was all the rage whether it was cultivating a wildflower garden, growing your own food or promoting peaceful environments during the Vietnam War years. It is also chockful of 1970's midcentury modern design aesthetics and focuses on up to the minute garden innovation as more and more enthusiasts began to call gardening a beloved hobby. 

So concise as far as detailed information and immense in size, this book is still an ultra-handy reference guide on all aspects of landscape design. It's also quite an appealing sourcebook for inspiration for any nature lover. We especially love the chapters on vegetable growing, fruit tree care and flower bed arrangement. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

 - Color and black and white photographs throughout along with black and white illustrations

- Dozens of charts, graphs, maps, and useful guides

- Paper tabs for quick search and easy identification

- Detailed index

- Protective plastic endpaper sheet

- 5-ring binder style

- 400 pages

{CONDITION}

In practically brand new condition, this book has weathered the past 45 years with aplomb. Its only flaw is a slightly separated metal ring in the five ring binder section. This doesnt really affect anything, you just need to care a little care when flipping the pages to ensure that that don't snag.  Other than that, this book is in great shape. Clean, bright and unmarked pages. Binder rings open and close easily. 

{SIZE}

Measures 8.5" inches (width) x 10" inches (length) x 2" inches (depth)

{FOR COMPARISON}

Also in the shop, you'll find a 1961 edition of this book here. What sort of difference does it make in publishing the same book 11 years later? Let's look...

- The 1972 edition contains 150 less pages and 3 less chapters

- In 1972, weeds were included with pests in Chapter 15 and the scope of Chapter 16 broadened to include to Construction in place of 1961's Tools and Storage

- Handy Facts and Monthly Reminders were removed from the chapter tabs 

- As gardeners became more savvy and knowledgeable thanks to the rise of home ownership and the American Dream during the 1960's, the tone of gardening books by the 1970's became more straightforward and reference-like. In the 1961 edition, the New Garden Book reads more like a storybook, teaching readers everything they need to know from the ground up literally. But by the 1970's, information in the New Garden Book was more project oriented, design inspired and species informative so that you could easily and confidently create the garden of your dreams

- Most of the text has been rewritten from one version to the other as well as most photography updated and many illustrations refreshed