Bob's Basics: Sowing, Planting, Watering

by Bob Flowerdew

.With simple solutions to ensure success in the garden, sowing, planting, watering and feeding, one in a series of Bob's Basics practical guides, draws on bob's more than 30 years of experience to take you step-by-step through the process of preparing for, planting and nurturing your plants. He will guide you round the common mistakes, give you a greater understanding of how to look after your plants and enable you to master the basics of gardening in no time. Bob Flowerdew is a regular panelist on BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time.

Genres: Gardening

112 pages, Paperback

First published February 16, 2011

Reviews

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This concise & clear planting guide is excellent for beginners with lots of wonderful tips for seasoned gardeners as well. For example, the author’s advice on watering (and water temperature) was extremely interesting. Some seeds should be sown on their sides (new fact!) and indoor houseplants need specialized TLC also. This would make a fantastic gift and I’ll certainly keep it close at hand this upcoming spring!

[Kairavi Pandya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for beginners.

I planted some Basil and Rosemary last month for the first time. I didn't know much other than to get soil and throw seeds into it. Provide it sunlight and water. This wasn't enough but how can I search for more when I don't even know what I need to learn. (I ended up googling things with a vague description. It was a project of trial and error.)

Now, that I read this guide I know I would have avoided trouble if I had read this before sowing seeds. Hence, if you are about to plant your first seeds give this book a look and it shall be helpful.

Ps- I am still too generous with watering but I shall learn :')

[MonumentToDecency · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super easy to navigate gardening handbook. Succinct info on how to sow, plant, water and feed little plant friends, and has the added bonus of explaining why things should be done the way they are done. I learn best by understanding the why of things and this book is very focused on gently teaching those things, without ever being boring or lecture-y; so, yay for success.

Turns out I've been watering all my plants totally wrong since forever. Now I'm not, and in the 6 days since I read this my plants are all so much happier that I'm not killing them.

I planted a bunch of pumpkin seeds just before reading this and while they were doing ok before, they're doing brilliantly now. I really really want pumpkins in my backyard and now I know I'm going to have them.

Right off the bat the book talks about how seeds work and everything you might not know you wanted to know about seeds, or seedlings, or planting, or fertiliser, and honestly I just never realised how complicated watering is.

It's a short book, it's a basic book. It's probably very good for kids who are greenly inclined. And I was even able to share a few tips with my grandmother who is quite the avid plant fan.

My rating: 5 baby pumpkins out of 5

[Abyssdancer (Hanging in there!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a baby gardener like myself that is just delving into the world of seeds, pots, and fertilizer, this book is a wonderful introduction. It teaches you about the basics of keeping plants alive without being condescending. It’s not a primer with a ton of new vocabulary words bombarding you, more like a frank conversation with an expert clueing you into the secrets of the art and science of beautifying your yard ...

[Maran]

Leuk boekje om mee te ontdekken hoe dit soort dingen nou een beetje werken en een beetje beeldvorming te krijgen. Tis een heel algemeen boekje, maar dat is ook de opzet natuurlijk. Ik heb me wel vermaakt.

[Emmaline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great basic reference. Reading one section a day/week was very motivating for getting some beginner garden projects started and inspiring me to do more research about my current plant interests.