by Annette McFarlane

ABC Books Retail $29.95.

 Her voice comes off the pages of this remarkable and magical book.  And it is magical just how she reveals and simplifies some of the more difficult aspects of gardening to us mere amateurs.

Annette peels away all the mystery and the heartache that one can experience in gardening, and, above all, she’s practical and right down to earth with years of experience and good old fashioned common sense advice on how to get the very best from your plants, be it a single pot plant or an acreage garden.

This is a comprehensive, user friendly gardening book that will be your best companion bar none and, to my mind, there is no other book on gardening in a warm climate like ours that comes within a bull’s roar of this superbly laid out and designed book.  The indexes, both botanical and general, are the work of a true professional and are so very helpful.  You’ll want to own one just for the extensive photographs. And, finally, it’s extremely good value for money.  Other books of this size and quality would be around the $40.00 mark.

Congratulations, Annette, on your ability to turn words and pictures into something of real value which will give pleasure, help and assistance to so many gardeners.  On their and my behalf, thank you!

Copies of Successful Gardening in Warm Climates plus Organic Vegetable Gardening ($27.95) also by Annette McFarlane are available at Samford Valley Garden Centre, Main Street, Samford. Annette McFarlane lives and gardens at Kobble Creek. 

Book Review by Phil Ryan