Since I live in a rural area, I was eager to see what Storey’s encyclopediac book of useful country skills would have to say about gardening. It turns out that this fascinating book has quite a lot of helpful information about many different rural activities, including gardening.

This book has twelve chapters packed with information to help the country gardener, as well as a very useful chapter on preserving the fruits and vegetables your garden produces. The gardening section of this amazingly complete book begins with chapter nine. This chapter discusses everything you need to know about planning, planting and harvesting a vegetable garden. Some of the most valuable sections of this chapter are the garden planning chart and the information on extending the season.

Next, the book discusses herb gardens. From theme gardens to uses for herbs, this chapter is again packed with information. I really enjoyed the recipes, but the crafting ideas were also useful.

Storey knows that even country dwellers need extra beauty, so the book includes a chapter on flower gardening. Sections on flower arranging and drying flowers are included.

Water gardens and rock gardens can be fun and add a lot of interest to the landscape. Besides clear instructions for creating both garden types, Storey gives some useful lists of plants to put in these gardens.

The next two sections on improving soil and garden pests and diseases are terrific resources for the beginning gardener. Additional sections of the book cover feeding birds, lawn care, building outdoor structures, and growing fruit.

This book is well written, crammed with ideas, and fun to read. It is a terrific resource for someone interested in the country life. I give it four and ½ out of five sunflowers.

About the Book:
Title: Storey’s Basic Country Skills
Authors: John and Martha Storey
Publisher: Storey
Date: 1999
ISBN: 1-58017-199-0
Pages: 565
Price: $34.95



Storey's Basic Country Skills: A Practical Guide to Self-Reliance