Customer Reviews

The Backyard Berry Book: A Hands-On Guide to Growing Berries, Brambles, and Vine Fruit in the Home Garden

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While I occasionally found the lack of something I felt to be important (like what HEIGHT should my blackberry trellis be?!) I found this to be, overall, and invaluable resource in understanding exactly what the differences were in berries, pitfalls of growing (and harvesting), pruning, diseases, caveats and just setting the growers expectations (so you're neither disappointed or overwhelmed by your results). I haven't found another book that covers the subject so well on such a variety of berries (including grapes, lingonberries and currants). It's written in a way that takes the ABSOLUTE NOVICE into a really good understanding--well above the norm. While it left a handful of details for you to seek out (and truly, not many and not hard to find) I would buy it again and again. It has made a difference in my garden.

I found the information very limited in both her books. Taylor's guide is a much better berry and fruit tree book. The rhubarb section was interesting since I don't have a lot of information on rhubarb. The hand drawn diagrams leave much to be desired. My 12 yr old cousin could of drawn better pictures. The list of varieties is also limited and gear more to the United States. However, I did encounter a few helpful hints.

This book provides both basic and detailed knowledge needed to start berries growing in your own yard. Although, I found this book extremely useful, I would not have it as the only berry growing reference in my library.

Stella's done it again with the berry book! Every y2k wise woman/man should plan on planting some berries in their yard this year!