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The Garden Primer
Now the beloved classic is revised front-to-back. The new edition has gone 100% organic, which in Barbara Damrosch's hands also means completely accessible. It reflects the latest research on plants, soils, tools, and techniques. There is updated and expanded information on planning a garden, recommended plants, and best tools. Ecological issues are addressed much more extensively, covering lawn alternatives, the benefits of native species, wildlife-friendly gardens, and how to avoid harmful invasive species. More attention is paid to plants appropriate to the South, Southwest, and West Coast, while cold-climate gardeners are given detailed advice on how to extend the growing season. Simply put, the book is a richer and fuller compendium than ever before, with more text, more illustrations and garden plans, expanded plant lists, and gardener's resources. But Barbara Damrosch's core of practical, creative ideas and friendly style remain—she is still an "old-fashioned dirt gardener" at heart.
688 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 1988
44 people are currently reading
942 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Damrosch
17 books13 followersBarbara has worked professionally in the field of horticulture since 1977. She writes, consults and lectures on gardening and farming and is owner of Four Season Farm, an experimental market garden in Harborside, Maine.
Barbara writes a weekly column for for The Washington Post called A Cook's Garden. She is also the author of The Garden Primer and Theme Gardens and her writing has been published extensively in national magazines. She is a horticultural consultant to John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds in Bantam, Connecticut and designed display food gardens for the Stone Barns Center For Food and Agriculture in Pocantico, New York.
Barbara writes a weekly column for for The Washington Post called A Cook's Garden. She is also the author of The Garden Primer and Theme Gardens and her writing has been published extensively in national magazines. She is a horticultural consultant to John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds in Bantam, Connecticut and designed display food gardens for the Stone Barns Center For Food and Agriculture in Pocantico, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
April 7, 2012
This is THE quintessential go-to book for gardening questions. Damrosch takes it to the next level--but only if the reader needs to go there. It works for the beginning gardener, listing plant by plant, the basics required to grow it. For the advanced gardener, she includes soil breakdowns and pH, along with pests and how to treat them. She takes the reader from beginning to end--the best basic tools, how to care for them, how to store them. There are designs in the book, tips that seem off the wall, BUT, she has been doing this all of her life--gardening is her passion and her field of expertise. Even so, she never loses sight of the practical and common.
Vegetable gardening, herbs, flowers, indoor plants, shrubs, fruit trees, bulbs, lawns...it is all in there.
This should be in every gardener's home. It should be in every big gardening gift basket to newlyweds who want to try gardening--and as a housewarming gift to those who have their first big yard.
Vegetable gardening, herbs, flowers, indoor plants, shrubs, fruit trees, bulbs, lawns...it is all in there.
This should be in every gardener's home. It should be in every big gardening gift basket to newlyweds who want to try gardening--and as a housewarming gift to those who have their first big yard.
May 28, 2020
I’ve read both Barbara Damrosch and Tracy DiSabato-Aust in an attempt to do some semi-serious gardening, although I admit I skipped the vegetable part of both books, as I am only interested in flowers.
This book is a light read, for amateur gardeners who need a bit of help to wrap their minds around how to plan a garden, whilst keeping in mind a variety of factors (size and shape of the garden, bloom period, height and colour of flowers). She gives comprehensive lists of annuals, perennials, spreader vines, evergreen bushes and grasses, giving both common and Latin name as well as soil and water recommendations. There’s a chapter on pest control, seed germination, tools and much more of what I didn’t even know I need to know.
I’m giving it 3/5 though because the chapters on pruning and deadheading were the ones that interested me most and unfortunately, they were the weakest ones, with vague information one could get from a simple google search. Tracy’s pruning chapters are by far superior but overall, this book is much more approachable.
This book is a light read, for amateur gardeners who need a bit of help to wrap their minds around how to plan a garden, whilst keeping in mind a variety of factors (size and shape of the garden, bloom period, height and colour of flowers). She gives comprehensive lists of annuals, perennials, spreader vines, evergreen bushes and grasses, giving both common and Latin name as well as soil and water recommendations. There’s a chapter on pest control, seed germination, tools and much more of what I didn’t even know I need to know.
I’m giving it 3/5 though because the chapters on pruning and deadheading were the ones that interested me most and unfortunately, they were the weakest ones, with vague information one could get from a simple google search. Tracy’s pruning chapters are by far superior but overall, this book is much more approachable.
February 4, 2025
Excellent! One of the most comprehensive gardening books I’ve read that doesn’t double as an encyclopedia or coffee-table book (it clocks in over 600 pages). Plus, I’m a sucker for a single-author gardening text. Not 5 stars mostly because the wildflower chapter was limited and because my edition was published in 1988. Most of the information was still good, but occasionally clueless on invasive plants (boooooo barberry!)—and thankfully, soot is no longer a problem when gardening in the city!
June 24, 2017
Helpful general how-t0 information on setting up a garden. Good for novices like me.
August 21, 2017
Less tips than I would've liked, but pretty good relatively speaking. A bit more concern about aesthetics than I'd like
August 28, 2018
An excellent garden reference. I come back to this book again and again.
May 17, 2017
I can't say enough good things about this book. While it lacks the myriad of bright images of other gardening books and is definitely a tome, The Garden Primer is exactly that - a comprehensive starting point for gardeners of all varieties.
Want to grow a wildflower garden? Barbara Damrosch has you covered. Want to grow an extensive mix of herbs and vegetables? Start here. Prefer to stay indoors? The section on house plants is for you. I am generally more interested in growing plants that feed me but I appreciated the details Barbara provides on flowers, vines, roses, shrubs, ground covers and trees as well. She's got an immense amount of experience and a friendly nature that comes through in her writing.
The methods for care and propagation she describes focus on sustainable, organic methods combined with some personal anecdotes. Since this book can only act as a jumping off point for all the sections she covers, an extensive appendix highlights further reading. The portions I found most helpful were the ones on tools. Most reference books either don't handle this particular gardening topic or touch on it too briefly. Barbara outlines various types of tools, why you might choose certain ones and her own preferences. She even describes what care you need to give them - very helpful!
I would highly recommend this book as a part of any gardening library. Don't be intimidated by its size - there's a wealth of inspiring and useful knowledge in its pages.
Want to grow a wildflower garden? Barbara Damrosch has you covered. Want to grow an extensive mix of herbs and vegetables? Start here. Prefer to stay indoors? The section on house plants is for you. I am generally more interested in growing plants that feed me but I appreciated the details Barbara provides on flowers, vines, roses, shrubs, ground covers and trees as well. She's got an immense amount of experience and a friendly nature that comes through in her writing.
The methods for care and propagation she describes focus on sustainable, organic methods combined with some personal anecdotes. Since this book can only act as a jumping off point for all the sections she covers, an extensive appendix highlights further reading. The portions I found most helpful were the ones on tools. Most reference books either don't handle this particular gardening topic or touch on it too briefly. Barbara outlines various types of tools, why you might choose certain ones and her own preferences. She even describes what care you need to give them - very helpful!
I would highly recommend this book as a part of any gardening library. Don't be intimidated by its size - there's a wealth of inspiring and useful knowledge in its pages.
January 18, 2023
GOOD GARDENING IS VERY SIMPLE, really. You just have to learn to think like a plant.
A flower performs its show of color and fragrance to attract the creatures that pollinate it. they transfer pollen from a male part of the flower, called a stamen, onto a female part, called a pistil
the ideal soil for most plants is loam
a disease of celery called black heart is caused by a boron deficiency. adding organic matter such as manure or compost improves the stucture of sandy soil, buffers the effect of high pH, and tends to be high in trace elements such as boron
I would avoid using manures from dogs, cats, or humans, because all of these can transmit diseases to your soil and then to you.
The most common form of decomposed plant matter that is sold commercially is peat moss. This is made up of plants—usually sphagnum or other mosses—that have decomposed very slowly in boggy places.
You can also buy “peat humus.” This is more decomposed than peat moss, and much more moist. It comes in smaller bags and is darker, heavier, and more expensive.
A flower performs its show of color and fragrance to attract the creatures that pollinate it. they transfer pollen from a male part of the flower, called a stamen, onto a female part, called a pistil
the ideal soil for most plants is loam
a disease of celery called black heart is caused by a boron deficiency. adding organic matter such as manure or compost improves the stucture of sandy soil, buffers the effect of high pH, and tends to be high in trace elements such as boron
I would avoid using manures from dogs, cats, or humans, because all of these can transmit diseases to your soil and then to you.
The most common form of decomposed plant matter that is sold commercially is peat moss. This is made up of plants—usually sphagnum or other mosses—that have decomposed very slowly in boggy places.
You can also buy “peat humus.” This is more decomposed than peat moss, and much more moist. It comes in smaller bags and is darker, heavier, and more expensive.
October 13, 2023
I cannot say enough great things about this book. It makes no difference if you are an experienced gardener with the greenest of thumbs, if you are a brand-new gardener, or if you have plastic flowers outside and are interested in learning, this is the book for you.
This book, along with Rodale’s Gardening Encyclopedia, needs to be on your gardening bookshelf. Everybody with the slightest interest in gardening should have both of these books. In my humble opinion.
I cannot recommend it enough.
Read it cover to cover, as I did, marking truly important pages. Then read it again. Then refer back to it often.
This book, along with Rodale’s Gardening Encyclopedia, needs to be on your gardening bookshelf. Everybody with the slightest interest in gardening should have both of these books. In my humble opinion.
I cannot recommend it enough.
Read it cover to cover, as I did, marking truly important pages. Then read it again. Then refer back to it often.
August 8, 2022
A really thorough primer on just about all aspects of home gardening. I wish that the photos were in color, but overall I learned a lot, especially about the timing of planting perennials, bulbs, veggies, and fruit.
June 9, 2017
Of all my gardening reference books, this is probably my favorite. Don't tell the others.
November 10, 2017
Gardening skills rusty or nonexistent? Start here.
June 19, 2019
Just the right level of breadth and just the right level of depth. VERY useful textbook-like information about the mechanics of plant growth and how sun, air, soil, etc work.
May 13, 2021
Really thorough. A good resource.
Read
May 14, 2024One of the basics, read this first
February 16, 2025
This book will assist all levels of gardener. EXCELLENT! Pull it out every spring….👍🏻
December 13, 2013
This is one of the first gardening books I ever read. It gave me an excellent gardening foundation, and from that foundation I gained the confidence to begin experimenting with plants.
Yes, it's a big, thick book. It covers (forgive me) a lot of ground. Beginning with chapters on planning your property, surveys of what plants need, and what gear gardeners require to help meet those needs, Damrosch provides clear and practical knowledge that novice gardeners can put to use immediately. From there, a terrific chapter on how to buy plants teaches valuable techniques that can make a real difference in the new gardener's success: buying plants in bud rather than in flower to ensure the gardener, not the store clerks, get to enjoy the peak bloom of the plant; slipping the plant out of the pot at the garden center to check whether the plant is rootbound or weedy; how to spot signs of insect infestation and disease; and reading between the lines of plant catalogues. She also gently introduces gardeners to botanical Latin, making the reader believe that understanding the subject is a feasible and worthwhile goal (it is).
She then breaks down plants into chapters on annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, fruits, bulbs, roses, lawns and groundcovers, vines, shrubs, trees, wildflowers, and houseplants. The reader can skip around according to his or her present gardening interests and needs. Damrosch provides details on common and not-so-common plants in each category, describing important concepts in basic plant care like siting the plants properly, fertilizing, watering, pruning, and management of pests and diseases.
Outstanding, detailed illustrations throughout the book help the reader get familiar with plants, plant parts, insects, and techniques.
If you fear killing any plant you touch, this book is a great place to begin to put that fear (whether justified or not) to rest. Reading it may make you a gardener for life. I hope so.
Yes, it's a big, thick book. It covers (forgive me) a lot of ground. Beginning with chapters on planning your property, surveys of what plants need, and what gear gardeners require to help meet those needs, Damrosch provides clear and practical knowledge that novice gardeners can put to use immediately. From there, a terrific chapter on how to buy plants teaches valuable techniques that can make a real difference in the new gardener's success: buying plants in bud rather than in flower to ensure the gardener, not the store clerks, get to enjoy the peak bloom of the plant; slipping the plant out of the pot at the garden center to check whether the plant is rootbound or weedy; how to spot signs of insect infestation and disease; and reading between the lines of plant catalogues. She also gently introduces gardeners to botanical Latin, making the reader believe that understanding the subject is a feasible and worthwhile goal (it is).
She then breaks down plants into chapters on annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, fruits, bulbs, roses, lawns and groundcovers, vines, shrubs, trees, wildflowers, and houseplants. The reader can skip around according to his or her present gardening interests and needs. Damrosch provides details on common and not-so-common plants in each category, describing important concepts in basic plant care like siting the plants properly, fertilizing, watering, pruning, and management of pests and diseases.
Outstanding, detailed illustrations throughout the book help the reader get familiar with plants, plant parts, insects, and techniques.
If you fear killing any plant you touch, this book is a great place to begin to put that fear (whether justified or not) to rest. Reading it may make you a gardener for life. I hope so.
July 1, 2014
This was a fairly good overview of everything gardening has to offer and is definitely a good place to start for some basic information. It is by no means all encompassing, but I found it lacking in part by the attempt it made at being broad.
For one thing, this book assumes you are a homeowner who can do what you wish with your yard for gardening space. It very briefly touches on container gardening and small space gardening but they are mere paragraphs with little to no information on the topic other than an obligatory mention.
A great deal of topics on gardening was mentioned but because it had such a broad focus, specific information was kept to a minimum. I have not yet looked into the many resources mentioned in the books apendix. I'm hoping these will lead to more specific information on my topics of interest.
I did learn a few things here and there. I specifically liked the sections on specific crops which contained tips for how to sow, grow and harvest them. I also liked that it focused not only on vegetable gardening but on trees, shrubs, flowers, and even your basic lawn.
In the end, the book achieved it's aim: It's a garden primer. It goes over the basics with you so that you might feel confident in giving at least some aspect of gardening a try. It would have been an interesting book to read before I started my first garden this year, but at this point, it didn't tell me a lot I didn't know, and what it did tell me that I didn't know, it was too late to do anything about in my garden this year so I'll hang on to those tips and try them for next time. Still, it was interesting enough and a good resource of information.
For one thing, this book assumes you are a homeowner who can do what you wish with your yard for gardening space. It very briefly touches on container gardening and small space gardening but they are mere paragraphs with little to no information on the topic other than an obligatory mention.
A great deal of topics on gardening was mentioned but because it had such a broad focus, specific information was kept to a minimum. I have not yet looked into the many resources mentioned in the books apendix. I'm hoping these will lead to more specific information on my topics of interest.
I did learn a few things here and there. I specifically liked the sections on specific crops which contained tips for how to sow, grow and harvest them. I also liked that it focused not only on vegetable gardening but on trees, shrubs, flowers, and even your basic lawn.
In the end, the book achieved it's aim: It's a garden primer. It goes over the basics with you so that you might feel confident in giving at least some aspect of gardening a try. It would have been an interesting book to read before I started my first garden this year, but at this point, it didn't tell me a lot I didn't know, and what it did tell me that I didn't know, it was too late to do anything about in my garden this year so I'll hang on to those tips and try them for next time. Still, it was interesting enough and a good resource of information.
March 18, 2017
I should label this my ALWAYS or Seasonal reading shelf. I pick this book up when I am thinking about gardening as it snows or if I have a new project on the yard, or something changes the conditions in my yard, or one of my plants is not doing well, or, well, you get the picture.
It is such a perennial (hah, see what I did there?) favorite because I have never, ever read another gardening book that gave me more empathy for plants. She describes what plants prefer from a perspective that helps you to remember to treat each plant with it's particular needs and preferred growing conditions. Even more importantly she helped me to develop a complex and enduring understanding some of the essential building blocks - such as soil conditions - texture and content - that make a dramatic difference in one's ability to succeed as a gardener, from the ground up!
A book that lives up to it's name- essential, primary and the first book I gift to people interested in learning how to grow things.
It is such a perennial (hah, see what I did there?) favorite because I have never, ever read another gardening book that gave me more empathy for plants. She describes what plants prefer from a perspective that helps you to remember to treat each plant with it's particular needs and preferred growing conditions. Even more importantly she helped me to develop a complex and enduring understanding some of the essential building blocks - such as soil conditions - texture and content - that make a dramatic difference in one's ability to succeed as a gardener, from the ground up!
A book that lives up to it's name- essential, primary and the first book I gift to people interested in learning how to grow things.
November 15, 2011
This book is my gardening bible! It's thorough and well-written.
Region is important in gardening books. The Garden Primer is written by a New Englander and is very well-suited to my small, urban, MA garden. People always tell me I have a green thumb, and I have to respond, "I just read a lot before I started digging." What I mean is, I read this book cover to cover, and have read it many times in pieces since then. The best garden reference book I own, and a great way to get started if you're new to gardening.
I especially love the emphasis on soil health (manure manure manure!) and the list of plants that comprises most of the book. So useful! Great winter reading while you're dreaming of next spring.
Region is important in gardening books. The Garden Primer is written by a New Englander and is very well-suited to my small, urban, MA garden. People always tell me I have a green thumb, and I have to respond, "I just read a lot before I started digging." What I mean is, I read this book cover to cover, and have read it many times in pieces since then. The best garden reference book I own, and a great way to get started if you're new to gardening.
I especially love the emphasis on soil health (manure manure manure!) and the list of plants that comprises most of the book. So useful! Great winter reading while you're dreaming of next spring.
July 18, 2016
This is a must go to book for any gardener. Between three of my gardening friends, we have agreed that this is one resource we would not be without.
I recently audited the Master Gardener course and I used this as a weekly adjunct to the material we covered in class. In only one area, that of Native Plants and Prairie Gardening, did I not find corresponding material in this book to match our lessons. Such a gardening emphasis is relatively new, and my copy is dated 1988.
Still highly relevant and easily accessible, this is the one you want in the winter as you dream of next year's gardens. Or come the growing season, this is a side by side companion as you till the soil and realize your dreams.
I recently audited the Master Gardener course and I used this as a weekly adjunct to the material we covered in class. In only one area, that of Native Plants and Prairie Gardening, did I not find corresponding material in this book to match our lessons. Such a gardening emphasis is relatively new, and my copy is dated 1988.
Still highly relevant and easily accessible, this is the one you want in the winter as you dream of next year's gardens. Or come the growing season, this is a side by side companion as you till the soil and realize your dreams.
April 13, 2010
This book is not something that one would generally expect to find witty, inviting, and readable just for the sake of reading.
It was.
The author has an engaging voice, and breaks down gardening into the simplest of terms for even the most incompetent novice. (aka: me) Her descriptions of the desired texture of the soil, or what a certain kind of pest looks like are so accurate that a picture would be redundant. Her little wry comments had Steve double checking to make sure I was actually reading a gardening book- after all, what's so funny about plants and dirt?
In addition, the illustrations were spectacular.
It was.
The author has an engaging voice, and breaks down gardening into the simplest of terms for even the most incompetent novice. (aka: me) Her descriptions of the desired texture of the soil, or what a certain kind of pest looks like are so accurate that a picture would be redundant. Her little wry comments had Steve double checking to make sure I was actually reading a gardening book- after all, what's so funny about plants and dirt?
In addition, the illustrations were spectacular.
August 4, 2011
This book is a fantastic, all in one compendium for the modern gardener. It is full of advice on building, fostering, feeding, flora, and just about every aspect of gardening. It is great - if you are just starting out, or you have been gardening for a while, this book is really and all in one resource for you to use in the garden and in the living room. Really helpful! Would rate it more, but it is almost like rating a dictionary - a dictionary is a dictionary. I will say this, though - it beats out every gardening book that I have read to this point!
September 3, 2014
I grew up spending summers on the Jersey Shore (the one in the US). My mother was wild about gardens and I seem to have inherited the longing for the feel of the soil and the sun on the herbs. But it was Barbara Damrosch's book that taught me to really study gardening as a science as well as a just a joyful art.
This book has lots of basic but very detailed and helpful practical advice. Thanks to Damrosch, I grew the earliest peas in the neighborhood in the first garden I could call my own in Madison, Wisconsin.
This book has lots of basic but very detailed and helpful practical advice. Thanks to Damrosch, I grew the earliest peas in the neighborhood in the first garden I could call my own in Madison, Wisconsin.
September 1, 2020
This is the single best comprehensive gardening reference book I've found, after checking out countless books on the subject from the library. It's written in a very approachable and down-to-earth tone. The author has many years of hands-on experience which is on full display in this book. I bought my own copy, read it cover to cover, and will refer to it many times. This is the practical garden book you've been looking for, the one that reads like your grandmother wrote it. One of the best books on the subject. Must have!
March 7, 2009
This is a GREAT book. The version I have was printed a long time ago, I don't know if there is a newer version out there. The only thing that could be better is that she gives you places to order different catalogues, flowers, etc. and there aren't any websites. :) It has information for every type of garden: vegetable, fruit, flower, shurb, tree, wild, herb... I think I'm going to buy it I liked it so much.
June 3, 2011
I picked this up because it is the book that my friend who I thought knew everything about gardening refers to. Surprisingly, a novice like me can understand it too. Very simple and straightforward. The introductory chapters are worth reading through if you are a newbie - about soil, garden planning, etc - but this is also the book you want on your shelf to refer to about particular plants and what they need once you get rolling. Love it.
October 11, 2007
Began using this book in 2002, and I continue to use it as my gardening bible. It has so much good information for when to plant, how to treat, when to harvest, ph level of the soil, how to prepare the soil, etc. Everything you need to know to garden, minus local info about weather, but you can find that easily online. I have a local book, but I use this much more frequently.
August 10, 2014
The Garden Primer by Barbara Damrosch (Workman Publishing Company 1998) (635). This volume is an extensive catalog of small articles on every imaginable topic about gardening. The sheer number of topics comes at a price: the articles are extremely general in nature. My rating 6.5/10, finished 2005.
October 26, 2010
An necessary reference for organic gardening- answers fundamental questions, offers wisdom about what plants need, how to plan your landscape, what garden gear is essential, how to choose and purchase plants, how to harvest bountiful vegetables in your region, and how to keep indoor plants in good health. Comprehensive but well-organized, so it doesn't feel overwhelming.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews