Here is a collection of books to teach you about Landscaping techniques. These books will give you insight on how to turn your plain grass lawn into beautiful backyard oais. They may cover topics ranging from gold fish ponds to stone retaining walls. Even if you don't have a million dollars, you can make your lawn look like you do.

Next Page

Hillside Landscaping
by Susan Lang, Editors of Sunset Books, Sunset Books

I never expect to be so impressed with a book in this price range, but I highly recommend it for anyone who is serious about landscaping and has to deal with hills or slopes. Having just recently purchased some hillside property, I was looking for the kind of book that would help me and my land partners develop this in the fashion we want. This book gives me much more than I could ever imagine. Not only is it chalk full of great suggestions for developing practically EVERY kind of sloped surface, but it great tips on garden design, plant choice, decks, multi-leveled lawns, walkways (all types), retaining walls and much, much more. There are also loads of great instructions and diagrams to help anyone from beginner to expert. The second chapter, "Inspiring Ideas," is worth the price of the book alone. Yes, the photos are sometimes a bit small, but there are so many good ones here of, in some cases, some of the cleverest landscapes I've ever seen that it more than compensates for any photographic shortcomings. Hard to go wrong with this book. Really. Highly recommended for anyone who has to deal with this type of landscape. --A Reader from Seoul, South Korea

Sunset Landscaping With Stone
by Hazel White, Sunset Books (Editor)

This is a well designed, and obviously recently redone, book. The content is a "hot" subject in the landscaping industry particularly as stonework relates to low water/low maintenance outdoor spaces. Both the sculptural and "connection with nature" qualities of stonework are now in vogue as well. And people don't mind spending the money today to acquire the permancy, strength and beauty of good stonework. This book should get even the passive observer excited about the possiblities.

As a landscape designer, I'm constantly looking for good references and ideas that might not be common in my geographic area. This book does a very nice job of pictorally displaying dozens of stone-based designs and settings from all over the country (and possibly some internationally). The editorial content and organization of the chapters also contribute to the success of the book.

If you like to look at a lot of professionally shot pictures of professionally designed, stone-based landscaping (and get decent captioning for each picture) this book should more than satisfy you. -- A Reader from Medway, MA USA

Inspirational Terracing: Terrace Design in Structural Landscaping
by Paul Nordmark

Illustrated by full-color photography this book shows the author's creativity with man-made stones. More than a "how-to" book illustrates the terraces from simple to more complex and provide creative ideas for any gardener interesting in creating a terrace garden.

Fences and Retaining Walls
by William McElroy

Fences & Retaining Walls by construction industry veteran and expert Bill McElroy is an extremely practical, "user friendly" manual for building professional quality boundary markers and retaining structures including picket and chain fences. McElroy covers fundamental aspects of fencing and wall building including gates, wiring and plumbing in retaining walls, rock walls, and much more. A by-the-numbers guide, Fences & Retaining Walls also covers safety considerations, cost estimation, keeping track of accounts and paperwork while building, as well as dozens of invaluable tips, tricks, and techniques for building sturdy, long-lasting works. --A Reader from Oregon, WI USA

New Complete Guide to Landscaping: Design, Plant, Build (Better Homes and Gardens(R))
by Better Homes and Gardens, Better Homes and Gardens, Todd A. Steadman

Discover the beauty and joy of creating a wonderful landscape in your yard and let Better Homes and Gardens New Complete Guide to Landscaping help. This guide's beautiful garden ideas, step-by-step project instructions, and plant selection and care tips ensure a stunning landscape you can enjoy for years to come.

* Easy to follow step-by-step instructions
* Detailed landscape plans
* Care instructions and tips for hundreds of plants

Loaded with dazzling ideas and clear step-by-step instructions, Better Homes and Gardens (R) New Complete Guide to Landscaping makes it easy to design, build, plant, and care for the landscape of your dreams.

The Art And Craft of Stonescaping: Setting & Stacking Stone
by David Reed

If your a novice at working with stone like I am yet desire stone walls, paths and waterfalls in your garden, then this book is for you. Reed writes in a simple, straighforward style that is easy to follow and the accompanying photos are excellent. He shows how to construct a beautiful dry stacked retaining wall and I never imagined that it is so easy. I also found the chapter on building a waterfall very helpful and I hope to do this soon. Also covered are chapters on making paths, courtyards, steps, terraces, benches, etc. It is an excellent book, well worth the money and one that I have referred to countless times.

Landscaping With Ornamental Grasses
by Fiona Gilsenan, Sunset Publishing

Explains how to use various grasses to create a beautiful landscape.

Retaining Walls: A Building Guide and Design Gallery
by Tina Skinner, Ruth Maran, National Concrete Masonry Association (Contributor)

Taylor's Master Guide to Landscaping
by Rita Buchanan

Developing your landscape is one of the pleasures of owning a home. It's an opportunity to surround yourself with beauty and provide for your comfort and convenience. In a well-designed yard, kids have room to play and adults have an attractive area in which to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Your guests find a safe, welcoming path to the front door, and you don't have to struggle to bring in the groceries and take out the trash.

TAYLOR'S MASTER GUIDE TO LANDSCAPING is a stunning and useful book on a subject that even experienced gardeners find intimidating. It is essential reading if you plan to do all or most of your own landscaping work, but it's equally important if you intend to hire the work out. Buchanan's description of what to expect from landscape and gardening professionals is an eye-opener that will save a lot of disappointment and a great many dollars.

In TAYLOR'S MASTER GUIDE TO LANDSCAPING, you will learn how to
- choose plants that will thrive in your climate and growing conditions
- avoid common mistakes with foundation plantings
- plan and plant for future growth
- create an outdoor living room
- design and build walks, paths, and steps
- create privacy with fences, walls, and hedges.

Separate chapters explain how to care for landscape plants -- trees, shrubs, vines, lawns, groundcovers, and perennials.

Step-By-Step Outdoor Stonework: Over Twenty Easy-To-Build Projects for Your Patio and Garden
by Mike Lawrence (Editor)

This is a project book, with more than 20 easy-to-build projects for patio and garden using a variety of stone. Walls, arches, paths, steps, rock gardens, fountains, seats and tables, sundials, patios, and even birdbaths are described in detail and illustrated with hundreds of drawings and color photographs. The book will show the reader how to estimate costs and quantities accurately, select the right tools and materials, prepare ground sites properly, produce sturdy and original structures, and create an attractive, inviting garden or patio using one of nature's most durable and beautiful materials. --Mark A. Hetts

Landscaping Small Spaces
by Sunset (Editor), Oxmoor House, Hazel White

A richly illustrated gardening handbook explains how to design and build a beautifully landscaped retreat in a small or underutilized area, featuring a special section on plant selection, as well as practical advice on and instruction in a range of building projects, plant maintenance and care.

Create beautiful and relaxing outdoor retreats in small or underutilized gardens. Helpful chapters show how to create a sense of spaciousness and overcome landscaping obstacles such as poor views, too much concrete, or a lack of privacy.

Western Landscaping Book
by Fiona Gilsenan (Editor), Kathleen Norris Brenzel (Editor)

The natural companion to Sunset's acclaimed Western Garden Book, this much-needed volume is organized by region, featuring descriptions of native and naturally adapted plants throughout. Beautifully rendered illustrations highlight entry gardens, innovative borders, and artistic structural accents. 350 color photos. 300 landscape plans.

Taunton's Front Yard Idea Book
by Jeni Webber

This is a really good first book on front yard gardens and has some excellent pictures. If you're thinking of adding a little life and color to your front yard, striving for some curb appeal or just plain tired of mowing the lawn, pick this up. Easy to read and written in a nice relaxed style, it's a good starter. -- A reader from Potomac, MD United States

How to Build Walks, Walls & Patio Floors
by Steve Cory, Sunset Publishing

Building Stone Walls
by John Vivian

Well, here it is: Basic tools, basic techniques, illustrations and photographs, and all the planning and safety instructions you will need to build a variety of stone walls. This is a book that can help you beautify your back yard with the grace and texture of natural stone, or launch you on a career of reconstructing the Inca Empire or building a second Great Wall of China if you get carried away.