10 Best Gardening Books in 2022 (Master Gardener-Reviewed)

Pros:

• Includes flowers, fruits, and vegetables
• Includes information on animal husbandry
• Features organic techniques to make your garden eco-friendly
• Promotes supporting local eco-systems
• Has large photographs

Cons:

• Does not include bulleted lists or many diagrams

This is the book of the celebrated TV icon, Monty Don. This book offers readers a complete guide to growing herbs, vegetables, flowers, and fruits using organic, eco-friendly methods. It also emphasizes using your garden to support local ecosystems and wildlife. It explains tips, techniques, and plant information in a way that helps beginners and advanced gardeners alike. 

Some reviewers are not fond of the tiny print, large size, and lack of bulleted information and step-by-step guides that are helpful for beginners. Yet, many reviewers love the large photographs and level of detail. They also say this book makes a great gift for gardeners and fans of Monty Don.

Pros:

• Features A-Z list of over 70 plants
• Details organic gardening methods
• Great for all skill levels
• Includes detailed guides, illustrations, and bulleted lists

Cons:

• Focuses more on outdoor gardens

The Vegetable Gardner's Bible is an incredibly detailed book written by Edward C. Smith. This book is celebrated by many gardeners of all skill levels for instructions on growing 70 vegetables and herbs and selecting tools, plants, and the perfect locations to start your garden. Full of helpful lists, photos, and diagrams, this book is a must-have for any vegetable gardener.

Some reviewers find that the book caters more to beginners and outdoor gardening styles. They say that it doesn't go in-depth on certain techniques like soil mixing. However, most reviewers love that the book is easy to follow and very informative. They also love that some of the techniques are useful for different climates and that the pictures are useful and beautiful. 

Pros:

• Teaches kids basic gardening
• Full of photographs, step-by-step instructions 
• Structured into weekly lessons
• Includes 52 plant-related activities 

Cons:

• Not available in hardcover
• Experiments and activities are not structured as scientific labs

Gardening Lab for Kids by Renata Fossen Brown is a great way to introduce children to gardening. With 52 activities structured into weekly lessons, kids can get hands-on learning about gardening basics. It's full of photographs and step-by-step instructions with simple text. There are also chapters on different garden themes for kids to get creative and make their greenspaces their own.

Some reviewers feel that the experiments in the book are misleading and lack scientific information and procedure. They also find them to be more for entertainment than education. However, most reviewers love the experiments and activities. They also find this to be great for parents and teachers that want to get their kids interested in gardening.

Pros:

• Available in two formats
• Has step-by-step instructions with large photographs
• Contains an encyclopedic section of popular house plants
• Recommends species for indoor gardens
• Suggests layout and placements for plants

Cons:

• Limited plant diversity
• Basic information may not suit intermediate or advanced gardeners

Darryl Cheng's The New Plant Parent discusses the biology of several plant species, and how to care for them in indoor spaces. The book features step-by-step instructions, photographs, and plans for home gardeners. Cheng guides plant growers from a personal yet informed perspective. 

Several reviewers mention that the print is very small and difficult to read and that there isn't much plant diversity discussed in the book. They also say that the contents are better suited to beginners. Most reviewers, though, like the holistic plant tips, information on plant biology, and how personable Cheng's book is. 

Pros:

• Gives instructions for building and installing systems
• Includes tips for natural pest management
• Provides advice on gardening in dense, urban areas
• Has charts, photographs, and illustrations for visual learners

Cons:

• Only focuses on vegetable gardening

The third edition of Square Foot Gardening details multiple box and grid methods to plant gardens suitable for apartments, dense urban areas, and otherwise constricted living arrangements. Mel Bartholomew's book also discusses organic pesticide solutions and building and installing water systems. It's chock-full of plans and photographs for visual learners.

Some customers feel the book isn't for intermediate and advanced gardeners, and it doesn't go into depth about the science behind the methods. Yet, many customers comment that the current edition features more alternatives and options than previous additions. Others like the encouraging tone, plans, visuals.

Pros:

• Includes companion planting and rotation techniques
• Humorous tone
• Discusses labor-saving systems in detail

Cons:

• No photographs or visual guides
• Focuses on vegetable gardening

Ruth Stout's Gardening Without Work is a gardening book that discusses gardening techniques that aren't at all labor-intensive. Her humorous instructions explain which plants are easy to grow, crop rotation and companion planting, and other methods. For the elderly, the busy, or those that want a stress-reduced gardening experience, this book has techniques that are time-saving and easy on the body. 

A few reviewers remark that the book is unorganized, outdated, and does not contain information useful for experienced gardeners. Yet, most customers find this book to be a fun, easy read that's conversational but not lacking in useful techniques and ideas. Other reviewers find that her methods work when others didn't and enjoy the humor.  

Pros:

• Has chapters devoted to specific flowers
• Tips and techniques for harvesting and arranging
• Instructions on ordering seeds, bulbs, and other materials
• Book is categorized by seasons
• Has helpful diagrams and photographs

Cons:

• May not feature information or instructions for different climates

Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzakein and Julie Chai explains how to grow a prosperous flower garden. It includes tips on soil testing, water quality, arrangements, cultivation, and managing your garden based on the seasons. There are step-by-step guides and beautiful, large photographs. From colorful garlands to dainty flower designs, this book is for flower gardeners of all skill levels. 

Some reviewers do not like the paper and photograph quality and feel that the information does not apply to various regions or experience levels.  However, many rave about the beautiful pictures. Reviewers also appreciate that it conveys concise details without being boring. It's a perfect book for beginners!

Pros:

• Includes extensive plant charts and plans
• Features additional information on plants
• Catered to professionals and home gardeners
• Numerous large photos
• Includes garden design in urban, rural, and suburban environments

Cons:

• Designs and instructions are catered to perennial, grassy gardens

Professional landscapers and designers, Piet Oudolf and Noel Kingsbury discuss contemporary gardening designs that fit each plant. Extensive charts and plans are included to help home gardeners and professional designers arrange their green spaces. The lovely photographs feature how their designs work in urban, suburban, and rural environments. 

Some reviewers comment that the book caters more to professionals rather than home gardeners and focuses more on perennial and grass gardens. But, most reviewers love the photographs and illustrations, and the different trends featured in the book. They also like how detailed the authors get about different planting designs and techniques.

Pros:

• Features over 12 hydroponic garden builds
• Includes photos, charts, and guides
• Has step-by-step instructions and photos
• Supports various gardening styles
• Details growing and maintenance instructions

Cons:

• More suited for beginner hydroponic gardeners
• May not benefit plants that prefer little watering

Tyler Bara's DIY Hydroponic Gardens book offers a detailed guide to set up over 12 different types of hydroponic systems. Photographs, charts, and simple instructions coach readers on the materials, nutrient solution recipes, and other necessities needed to get started. It also has information on organic pest management and grow lights, as well. 

Some reviewers feel that this book doesn't have enough details on hydroponics and doesn't have much information on selecting plants and plant growth. However, most reviewers love that this book is thorough, concise, and features common hydroponic builds. They also appreciate the photos and step-by-step instructions. 

Pros:

• Has multiple chapters on growing different foods for a homesteading household
• Includes information on canning and food preservation
• Includes extra chapters for self-sufficiency
• Details instructions for how to plan a garden

Cons:

• Includes illustrations but few step-by-step guides or bulleted lists

Carla Emery's Encyclopedia of Country Living has been giving people information on homestead gardening and self-sufficiency since the 1960s. In this 50th edition, Emery gives viable information on planning gardens, growing herbs, vegetables, and grains, and preserving the food once its harvested. It gives details on animal husbandry, home remedies, and other ways for self-sufficient living. 

Some reviewers mention that the book doesn't go as in-depth as an encyclopedia should and the tone of the book is a bit negative. They also wish the font was bigger and had more pictures. However, many people from all backgrounds find that this book teaches valuable life skills, is a great reference guide, and has something for any experience level.