Improving your front and back yard to make it the beautiful and functional oasis you’ve always dreamed of can be overwhelming and intimidating, so we’ve scoured for some of the best books to help you through your yard renovation and equip you for some serious decision making. From DIY patios to succulent gardens, these books will set you and your new yard up for success.
1. Black & Decker Complete Guide to Patios: A DIY Guide to Building Patios, Walkways & Outdoor Steps by Editors of Cool Springs Press
This book currently has a 4.5 out of 5 star review on Amazon.
Overview:
This book includes thorough, comprehensive information for virtually any patio or walkway undertaking you can think of. An extensive materials and design section helps you wrap your head around all the upfront planning, and the over 30 step-by-step patio, walkway, and landscape projects within are illustrated with detailed, brand-new photographs to guide your progress along the way. Whether you prefer a classic patio or something a little more cutting edge, this book has you covered.
What Readers Liked:
The details, videos and step-by-step guides are helpful and impactful and it is equipped with full lists of all of the types of materials you can use.
2. Succulents Simplified: Growing, Designing, and Crafting with 100 Easy-Care Varieties by Debra Lee Baldwin
This book currently has a 4.7 out of 5 star review on Amazon.
Overview:
Succulents are one of the easiest plants to care for and can thrive in even the hottest deserts. They’re trendy and make a wonderful addition to the yard. Along with gorgeous photos packed with design ideas, the author offers her top 100 plant picks and explains how to grow and care for succulents no matter where you live.
What Readers Liked:
The book is just as helpful for beginners as it is for professionals, offering a lot of great photography taken primarily by the author. It has clear instructions on how to properly plant and care for succulents, and has creative ideas for ways to utilize them. After using this book to learn more about how to use succulents, it makes a great coffee table book with all of its beautiful photos.
3. 150 Best Terrace and Balcony Ideas by Irene Alegre
This book currently has 3.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Overview:
This is a lavish guidebook with 150 tips and techniques from internationally renowned architects and designers for how to create exterior spaces that are clean, modern and comfortable. This book utilizes full-color photographs and diagrams of 65 beautiful projects from around the world. Each technique can be tailored to your own taste and needs.
What Readers Liked:
With its inclusion of some great photos, this book makes for the perfect coffee table book for light reading. The book is mostly photos with light text and is great for design inspiration.
4. The Cut Flower Patch: Grow Your Own Cut Flowers All Year Round by Louise Curley
This book currently has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Overview:
This books sets you up for success by explaining the tools, soil and resources you need to grow the ideal cut flower. This way your yard looks beautiful, and you can fill a vase with the flowers and make the inside of your home beautiful too. It gives advice on the types of flowers you should be planting at which times of the year and how to support your plants in the typical upkeep like weeding, deadheading, getting rid of pests and feeding the flowers.
What Readers Liked:
Readers enjoyed the great photos throughout the book, as well as insight on when to plant and how to plant. Be mindful while reading this that your temperature zone might be different than the author’s, and you should adjust your planting schedule accordingly. The author is open about this. There are also 20-30 presentation ideas at the end of the book that show how you can arrange your cut flowers.
5. The New Low-Maintenance Garden: How to Have a Beautiful, Productive Garden and the Time to Enjoy It by Valerie Easton
This book currently has a 4 out of 5 star review on Amazon.
Overview:
This book details the importance of straying away from the old idea that elaborate yards are beautiful, and understanding that your yard can look amazing while remaining easy to maintain. When you read this, you will learn the most efficient planting and maintenance techniques and how to do so by working with nature (rather than against it). With profiles and photos you will see the best ways to create a cost-effective and manageable garden.
What Readers Liked:
The book helps you pick out what makes you happy about your yard while helping you cut down on all of the “big” stuff you thought you needed. It helps you decide what to keep in your garden and what to get rid of and not feel guilty about getting rid of it. This book is ideal for smaller yards as opposed to a few acres of space to work with.
6. New Front Yard Idea Book by Sandra S. Soria
This book currently has a 5 out of 5 star review on Amazon.
Overview:
The book has 325 photos and details of inspiration for front yards. It emphasizes the importance of the first impression and curb appeal of your home. It goes through ideas for your entrance, porch, garden, driveway, fence, landscaping and lighting. Whether you’re looking to refresh or completely start anew, this book has your inspiration and instruction.
What Readers Liked:
The photos are the show-stopper for this book, while still having enough context so you know how to make them come to life. It has both traditional yard ideas as well as modern ideas.
7. Lawn Gone! Low-Maintenance, Sustainable, Attractive Alternatives for Your Yard by Pam Penick
This book currently has 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Overview:
Whether you are an expert gardener or have absolutely no idea what you’re doing, this book gives you realistic choices and simple instructions for your yard renovation. It provides insight and instructions for how to pick drought-tolerant and eco-friendly landscapes, removing your lawn, and turf options to still have the grass look without the maintenance.
What Readers Liked:
The author is very detailed with how to strategize lawn removal and helps the reader budget and figure out if and how they can make it happen. She gives unique alternatives to traditional lawn materials. The author provides plenty of vivid and colorful photos to support the claim that your yard doesn’t have to be boring without lawn.
Whether you plan to read all of these books or only a few, you’ll be equipped and well on your way to completing your yard renovation and creating the outdoor space of your dreams! Go about your yard renovation the right way with the help of one of these great books.
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