A "different" manual, which is not sufficient to itself

I have a series of books on gardening, some "general", other specialized. By its imposing size, the "New ecological garden" edited by Rustica like a book encyclopedic vocation, such as Truffaut and Vilmorin Clause. But he has not the features: in no case will bring the amount of information, basic but also essential, in these other works.

The "green" character claimed by Rustica can not justify the purchase: all major market manuals have now integrated this type of approach.

How it can be of interest? This manual is "different." It is not sufficient to itself; by cons, as part of a horizontal approach it can bring you ideas or knowledge not covered in other books.

Take for example the flower garden:

- The Vilmorin Clause will present an impressive number of varieties, sorted alphabetically, with photos, main characteristics (height, flowering time, planting conditions, etc.). But if you are faced with a particular situation (dark, damp earth or very dry otherwise), you will not be able to easily identify the plants adapted to your context. You will need to read all the (very long) chapter on flowers to rate those you seem to agree.

- Chapter 15 "The range of perennials and annuals" of Rustica is both pitiful and precious: almost no flowers are described, and planting conditions are deemed to be known probably because they are not mentioned. By cons you are entitled to advice to compose a massive, and suggested floral weddings are relevant. Especially a table summarizes yourself clearly, given the conditions of sunshine and humidity of the plot to bloom, which plants to use.

Brief descriptions of many flowers appear in a series of chapters, like the flowery meadow, pond, difficult situations, the perimeter of the house, terrace, balcony. The advantage is that offers plants adapted to a context; but multiple editors have forgotten that a good balcony flower can also be suitable for a terrace or house edge.

A summary of the book:

Part 1 - The garden of the area:
1. The Garden on balcony
2. The terrace and a city in court
3. Aromatic
4. Grass
5. The hedge
6. The circumference of the house
7. The play area and pool
8. aisles
Part 2 - The Garden of approvals:
9. The vegetable garden
10. Compost and the cabin
11. The henhouse
12. Jams shrubs
13. The mini-orchard
14. The medicinal plants
15. The massive perennials and annuals
16. roses
Part 3 - The Nature garden:
17. Taking advantage of difficult situations
18. The flowery meadow
19. The pre-orchard
20. Hives
21. Trees to contemplate
22. The pond
23. The mixed hedge
24. Animals Garden
Part 4 - Know-how and techniques:
Water, cuttings, mulching, planting, transplanting, sowing, pruning, etc.

To read this summary, we understand that the Rustica is mostly a suggestion box, to dream, with the same qualities and defects that a decorating magazine. It will give you good food for thought, not necessarily provide all the knowledge and skills needed to achieve your goal.

Outside of the chapters in "landscape" ambition (which constitute the attraction however questionable the book), the chapters on aromatic, turf, vegetable, compost are complete. The pages devoted to fruit trees are indigent.

In summary, this pad may have an interest as a complement. If you want to start with one complete book, take Vilmorin Clause, the most encyclopedic of all, or Truffaut.