Customer Reviews
The best - By: Benjamin, 10 Feb 2008 
Christopher Lloyd was a passionate gardener with much practical experience from running his own extensive gardens at Great Dixter, Sussex. This book with over thirty sections under six main headings covers almost every aspect of gardening in a fresh & questioning manner, often dispelling long held opinions.
In addition the book is illustrated with many of the author's own photographs (1973 edition). It also has a glossary & substantial index.
Christopher Lloyd's writing is outspoken, opinionated, witty, entertaining, authoritative, practical, informative, one could go on, but above alll it is a sheer pleasure to read. Without doubt Christopher Lloyd was one of the greatest garden writers, & this book must rank among his best. This offering notwithstanding its age is an absolute gem; with so many shalllow gardening books now being published writing such calibre only goes to highlight the dearth of able garden writers today.
A superb read for any keen gardening bookworm. - By: , 03 Mar 2002 As a recent garden convert, I found this book not only practical, but sensible & entertaining.
I have devoured many a gardening book & monthly magazine, but not one has explained ideas behind gardening in such an uncomplicated & chatty way.
I love the way he encourages the gardener to be flexible, experimental & instinctive. I finallly understand pruning - so it must be good!
A gardening classic that doesn't date - By: , 27 Aug 2001 Christophers writing on gardening is one of the few excuses busy gardeners have for staying in bed, being warm & indulging oneself & still enhancing our plant repetiore. I devour his books like the best of my home grown produce & for someone of his great years he is probably the greatest living gardener this green isle has to offer. I highly recommend anything he writes.
Temperament - By: , 08 Jan 2001 
30 years on, this is still temper-proof... Lloyd takes no prisoners - manure, to wild gardening in grass, & what not. He did it. He grew it. He smelt it. So listen to him! The story flows, advice as practical as it can get, & the index is extensive as the varieties grown. Did you start sounding like him? digging like him? ranting like him? You better watch it - you're mind might have been tempered!
