Product Description

In this book Helen Dillon encapsulates, in her inimitable witty and accessible style, her lifetime of gardening know-how, deep love of plants and assured sense of design. Here is illumination for every gardenerfrom the beginner wondering why nothing will grow in the garden of the new house to the sophisticate aiming at exquisitely subtle effects. Thoughtful ideas on garden style are underpinned by practical advice on looking after plants and careful instructions on the basics of digging, planting and propagating. Helen Dillon teaches us all how to garden, and garden well.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #608091 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-12
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 2.10 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 208 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Gardening from a pristine Dublin plot, droll green thumb Dillon offers equal measures of witticism and advice-both expert techniques and common sense tips-in this verdant, photo-rich guide, imbued with enough passion to inspire an all-consuming hobby. The perfect book for anyone contemplating a leap into the gardening lifestyle, Dillon is mercifully easy on newcomers (a full third is devoted to "Beginners' Stuff"), the busy ("The one-hour-a-week garden") and the brown thumb ("Why did it die?"). Dillon's organic approach to plant care will play well with the environment-savvy, and she's quick to suggest simple cures for common problems such as slugs (a saucer of beer should get rid of them). With patience and humor, Dillon covers a wide range of topics, most in two- or three-page chapters, coaching readers through pruning and "deadheading," the "May gap" and late summer, how to cadge plant cuttings from more experienced gardeners and informative asides like "Dog in the garden" ("your ideal garden dog is a male dachshund") and even some social history: "Years ago, in Ireland, high garden society only liked to spread special plants to their friends and equals." With this informative, personal and gorgeous book, it's clear Dillon considers her readers to be both.
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Review
"Down to Earth with Helen Dillon is just that a down-to-earth and humorous look at gardening." (Garden Gate )

"Beginners and advanced gardeners alike will benefit from browsing Helen's book, which is as delicious as a box of chocolates on a rainy day." (Seattle Post-Intelligencer )

"Refreshingly outspoken, endearingly offbeat, Dillon offers advice and instruction on an eclectic array of gardening topics." (Booklist )

"I love reading any garden writer who demonstrates wit, good humor, and brisk common sense..." (Garden Rant )

"Gardening from a pristine Dublin plot, droll green thumb Dillon offers equal measures of witticism and advice both all-consuming hobbies. The perfect book for anyone contemplating a leap into the gardening lifestyle...informative, personal, and gorgeous." (Publishers Weekly )

"Dillon's straightforward writing style perfectly suits her open attitude. She is funny, too, peppering her text with just the right amount of wit, be it subtle or stark. She does both to a T. In this book, readers find a voice they can follow and trust." (Horticulture )

Dillon is a true garden guru well-known in the United States as well as in Great Britain and New Zealand her design ideas and methods are easily transported across the ocean. (Daily Hampshire Gazette )

From the Inside Flap
In this book, Helen Dillon encapsulates, in her inimitable witty and acccessible style, her lifetime of gardening know-how, deep love of plants, and assured sense of design. Here is illumination for every gardenerfrom the beginner wondering why nothing will grow in the garden of the new house to the sophisticate aiming at exquisitely subtle effects. Thoughtful ideas on garden style are underpinned by practical advice on looking after plants and careful instructions on the basics of digging, planting, and propagating. Helen Dillon teaches us all how to garden, and garden well. Part one, Beginner's Stuff, tackles elementary subjects such as how to construct a proper path, how to cope with shade, when and how much to fertilize and water, and how to deal with pests. Part two, The Middle Ground, ventures into more advanced subjects, including pruning and deadheading, propagation, staking, and plants for specific sites and uses. Part three, Fancy Stuff, tantalizes the experienced gardener with chapters on exotic plants, plants used primarily for their ornamental foliage, usual and collector's plants, and on decluttering the garden. Throughout the book, Dillon's friendly, humorous, no-nonsense approach guarantees all gardeners will appreciate the wisdom of a true expert.