The First-Time Gardener: Growing Plants and Flowers

The authors wrote this book with one main goal in mind; to get you to go to their website.

The First-Time Gardener: Growing Plants and Flowers: All the know-how you need to plant and tend outdoor areas using eco-friendly methods (The First-Time Gardener's Guides, 2) by Sean McManus & Allison McManus

The authors wrote this book with one main goal in mind; to get you to go to their website.

Initially I liked this book. I'm a full time eco farmer. I mainly grow food & fiber crops along with herbs & flowers. I recently read an excellent book on houseplants titled 'My house plant changed my life' by David Domoney. After reading that book, I was much more interested in reading about growing plants. Obviously I'm not a first time gardener, but for the most part I have found that no matter how much you learn, you know nothing. Okay, not really, but the point is, even a book for beginners can teach an old dog new tricks or simply refresh us on things we may have forgotten.

So the beginning of this book starts off pretty good providing the newbie with the most basic of basics. I was rather surprised by just how basic it went truly keeping in line with what a beginner needs to know. However as I continued to read I became more & more disenchanted with this book. It is incredibly rare for me to not like a book on growing things. Sure, some may have some issues I will point out but generally, I find them all worth reading until now.

If someone orders a book that is supposed to teach them, they shouldn't have to go to other sources for additional information especially if this is basic information that is needed to do things properly. I get the distinct vibe that the authors wrote this book with one main goal in mind; to get you to go to their website. I don't know about you, but when I sit down to read a book, I don't want to be told to visit a website for more information. I want to read that information in the pages of the book I have before me. If I wanted to look this stuff up online, I'd be online!

I guess I also should point out to those "privileged" folks who enjoy cheap high speed internet & cell service that there are those of us who still don't have access to the internet unless we opt. for very expensive & very slow satellite. What about cellular? "Can you here me now?" Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Fingers & toes crossed that Elon Musk's Starlink will save us rural folks. This is the Great Rural Divide. It is more expensive for 10xs slower internet in rural areas than it is in NYC. We rural folks buy books & make good use of them. For the love of equality, stop sending us to the internet to learn more! We bought your book, so give us the info. we need.

Stepping off the soap box...

Back to the beginning. As stated, this is the most basic of basics & no more. No more I tell you! Have a bug problem? The book tells you to find ways to treat for them & not to use toxic chemicals. I'm all for avoiding toxic chemicals, but um how do we deal with the bugs? Hello? Fungal problem? Same deal. Soil problem? You got it, same deal.

You get told certain plants have certain requirements. Some need full sun, some part shade, some full shade. Some require more water than others. Some can tolerate different climates better than others. Okay, which plants are good for these different climates & light levels? Hello? H-e-l-l-o??? I'm going to take a leap of faith here & guess that you can find out more at the authors website. Ho hum.

Do you have problems with the wildlife? The book tells you we all have to deal with wildlife. Put up some fencing or something. Try hot pepper spray. That's about as helpful as it gets. Sure, fencing can keep out deer, but not just any fencing. Sigh. Deer jump. Hot pepper spray washes off...

There is simply too much important information missing from this book. There is plenty of white space in the book. Too bad the authors didn't decide to fill it with something useful to the reader.

Sadly, this book is not a keeper. I regret ever ordering it.