The Weather-Resilient Garden: A Defensive Approach to Planning & Landscaping

I picked this book up as we deal with the worst drought on record in the Chicagoland/Northern IL area--which is tough on gardeners even in the best years. Smith covers it all in an in-depth, very readable manner. For a newcomer to gardening (wherever you may live), there is plenty of information on specific conditions divided by chapter (ex.--heat, cold, drought, flood...whoops, we can have that all in one day around here!). You can turn to a section to find out how to deal with a situation immediately. There is also plenty of discussion on plants and types of plants suitable for a variety of locales. Not simply a weather-related tome, the author also sprinkles in good information on dealing with animal damage, providing habitats for birds, and lists (including a 100-plant glossary) of plants for specific conditions. For experienced gardeners, there is excellent scientific information, historical discussions (no, Jethro Tull isn't simply Ian Anderson's band...), and techniques that may be new to you. Good for browsing or curling up with by a toasty fire in the winter. Whether you need help now or want to learn more in general, this book will become a well-thumbed reference. A great addition to your library.

From hail and ice to summer droughts, gardens can face daunting seasonal survival challenges. Enter gardening expert Charles Smith's Weather-resilient Garden: a "user friendly" guide to planting a garden tough enough to withstand almost any kind of weather change. Blend an encyclopedia of 100 hardy plants with expert advice on how to organize a garden for inclement weather and you have a solid key to a lasting, beautiful garden.