RHS Gardening Through The Year

by Ian Spence

After introducing plants that offer colour, scent or food for wildlife, this well-illustrated volume explains how to create an attractive and productive garden. Details of general tasks for each month, and those specific to trees and shrubs, ornamental species, fruit and vegetables, and lawns, are followed by an A-Z of over 350 plant varieties.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Reference, Horticulture, Outdoors

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

He was formerly head gardener for the late Geoff Hamilton who presented the BBC's flagship gardening programme Gardeners' World. He was responsible for the running of Geoff's garden at Barnsdale in Rutland. He was also responsible for preparing items for Geoff to feature on the programme every week. He worked very closely with Geoff preparing for recording of Gardeners' World and the many other series Geoff made such as The Ornamental Kitchen Garden and his final series Paradise Gardens.

Reviews

[Eline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overzichtelijk boek met ideeën om elke maand te tuinieren. Alle planten worden met foto´s aangetoond en elke maand staat er minstens 1 diy bij die je kan doen.

[Coan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gardening through the year in Australia
By Ian Spence

A comprehensive guide that delivers just what it says on the cover – it’s a month by month breakdown on specific activities to undertake in your garden during the year.

While I’ve only just received the book (and yet to implement it), I am already using it to plan my gardening work. I think it will be a really useful addition to my library.

The book covers various types of gardens as well as lawn care, seasonal, ornamental and vegetable gardens. It is a bit east coast focussed in its assumptions about weather but overall very helpful.

4/5 stars

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mijn recensie over Een jaar in de tuin (Ian Spence) kan je nalezen op mijn blog via https://boeklovers.wordpress.com/2019...
Inclusief inkijkexemplaar

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good one to start off my veg growing plans this year.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very handy guide to looking after your garden throughout the year from what and when to plant to looking after your tools and pest control. It also has ideas for creating both ornamental and nature features depending on the look and feel you want in your garden. It's easy to follow and good to pick up and put down as you complete various tasks and as the year passes. The only thing I would've like is a bit of advice on which plants are easier to look after (as someone who wants a gorgeous garden but is not particuarly green fingered this would've made it perfect) but that could just be me. I can still see me dipping in and out of this repeatedly as my garden (hopefully) grows.

[Meconopsis Lingholm · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is basically a thick pocket sized version of rhs's "gardening through the year" which I now have both, so this will go in the trug with the rest of my gardening supplies. very handy.

[Marc L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The rare kind of book that improves with time and year by year. Probably the most through guide on “what I should be doing now” that I’ve ever come across and an indispensable tool in the garden.

The variety of tasks defined for each month is expansive with concise yet simple to follow instructions for each category. Highly recommended for beginner and intermediate gardens alike.

[AnnMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good advice organized by month. Just double check this book applies to the zone you're in. It gave me some good ideas for my garden, but also a lot of info I didn't need so that's why it's four stars - you already have to know some things to use this book to be able to sift through the info.

[Dolf van der Haven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every month my go-to book to find out what I need to do in the garden and what plants are about to flower. Unfortunately, in the fifteen years we have had this book, all plants flower two to four weeks earlier than the book indicates (thanks, climate change), but I suppose later editions will be adapted for this effect.

[Julia Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is brilliant, very informative for us beginners. It tells you what to do month by month and it really is my gardening bible

[Stettafire · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book with basic bullet point information. Great for inspiration less so for info

[Penelope · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book not to be finished as a reference and table book to dip in and out of.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 Stars

[Nicole Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a helpful and easy to use book! Any great RHS book.

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative. Practical. Seasonal.


An excellent and helpful gardening companion. I love how it has oodles of tips and things to do to prepare your garden for the upcoming season and what to do during that season. Probably not needed for the more knowledgeable gardeners but I would recommend it for those wanting to start out or need help learning to work seasonally in your garden.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first year of proper gardening I read each chapter at the start of each month. I found this very helpful. It covers all different areas gardening (flowers, trees, fruit n veg, ponds, lawns, greenhouse) and what to do, and shows you pictures of the best plants for each month. Also has a plant guide at the back though that is quite limited. Will come back to this month after month next year.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a very nice month by month guide. The only thing keeping me from running out and buying it (instead of just borrowing it from the library) is the fact that it is written for gardeners in the Midwest. I live in California so what can be grown here in the fall and winter is vastly different.

[Lainy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good general gardening book.