Anyone know a good gardening book?

[jugglingwoman]

I'd like a book that has an A-Z type layout so that if you are trying to work out what to do with your wallflower for example, you can go to 'W' find your plant and it'll tell you if it needs pruning etc.

So far all I can find is books with planting advice (too late) or garden design advice (too dull).

Please help!

Yes, I could do with one too, but like Jamie's Ministry of Food for the garden. Basic but not patronising. Will watch with interest.

This is pretty good with photos as well as descriptions
www.amazon.co.uk/Plant-Guide-Royal-Horticultural-Society/dp/140530068X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qi d=1237225972&sr=1-1

That looks good, thanks. Also like the sound of 'Month by Month' on that page.

I looked at that book yesterday but it didn't have what I want. I'd like a book that tells me what to do with each plant (including care) rather than 'this is how you design your garden' and 'this flower should be planted now'.

This is super expensive but seems to be it. Am going to have a look in shops to see if I can find it!

www.amazon.co.uk/RHS-Z-Encyclopedia-Garden-Plants/dp/0751337382/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I22U4Z0G DVI46A&colid=9STF79WVNGCY

I have this which tells you what needs doing on a month by month basis.

I would also recommend the various Garden Expert books by Dr D G Hessayon like these which list plants and what to do, when.

I also have this RHS encyclopedia which is really good too and gorgeous photos!

I have some lovely books on gardening - shame I prefer reading them to putting their ideas into practice!

the complete guide to gardening season by season. printed by wh smith.
a great book, simple and plain talking for the novice gardener. none of this ph level for soil and latin words, whats that all about for goodness sake, i just want to know what it is and when to plant it

The RHS encyclopedias are brilliant. They are expensive but book clubs - especially gardening book clubs - often seem to have them on special offcer. The encyclopedia of plants and flowers is here, for example.

The 'expert' series of books are very good...there is 'vegetable and herb expert, tree and shrub expert etc etc. They are recommended by the RHS.
Also the RHS plant encyclopedia is good for identification purposes.

The book I put the link for yesterday was amazing when I looked in the shop-every plant known to man and tells you what to do with it from seed to big happy plant (and if it's not so happy).

My husband has dutifully ordered it for my Birthday present!!

This may sound odd but try the library. I often borrow a gardening or cookery book and then decide whether to buy it. I'm currently reading "the great Vegetable Plot" by Sarah Raven. It's just perfect for what I wanted and I plan to buy a copy. It's a beginner's veg guide but not too basic.
I would also recommend the "Expert " books.