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KUDOS
FROM BOOK REVIEWS & OUR READERS
Readers are already in love with Sustainable Landscaping for Dummies. Author Thomas Christopher of the New York Botanic Garden writes, "Owen has broadened his focus to include the conservation of all our natural resources. And yet if his subject is serious (nothing less than the preservation of the planetary ecosystem), Owen’s tone in this volume is blessedly unsanctimonious. He assumes no previous knowledge of gardening on the reader’s part— this is Sustainable Landscaping for Dummies, after all—but there’s plenty of new information here for the expert gardener, too.
Above all, this is a practical book. Owen shares with the reader the routines he has developed as a professional for organizing landscape redesigns and makes them easy for a novice to follow. He offers down to earth advice not only on how to make your personal space more attractive and environmentally responsible but also on how to accomplish this at a price you can afford, and at a pace that suits your schedule. Sustainability is a new movement in gardening, and it has badly needed a manifesto. This book fills that niche. So get smart and get Sustainable Landscaping for Dummies."
Horticulturist John Dotter of Appropriate Horticulture Associates writes, "Last night I surveyed, read and savored the content of your new book, Sustainable Landscaping for Dummies. Your friendly and humor-filled choice of words is truly unique in the field of horticultural reference works. Any future teaching by me about landscape gardening will use your book as it's 'Bible' to present a new and urgently needed paradigm for stewardship of the earth. After reading your book, how can a person garden any other way?"
Landscape architect Billy Goodnick has this to say, "Owen has just had a very important book published. It needs to be read, embraced and acted upon by many, many people. The book starts by making sure we know how the word 'sustainable' fits with landscaping. It’s patently simple—strive for a garden that acts as a natural system and needs little help from you once it’s up and running. By the time you’re done with this section of the book you’ll smack your forehead and mutter 'of course' because he makes it seem so obvious. Onward the author forges, discussing the virtues of good design, working safely, and tricks the pros use. There’s a strong emphasis on managing water, the most precious resource for us in southern California. Owen also tackles the complex subject of hardscape (all the stuff in a landscape that isn’t plants), showing how elegant spaces can be created with earth-friendly materials and old stuff we can put back to use.
Of course there’s lots of information about plants, starting with the idea that plants aren’t just for decoration—they can DO something, like provide habitat for birds, reduce energy consumption and feed you and your family. The greenery section even zooms in on ways to make container gardening more sustainable. I could go on, but I’m running out of space—just get the book."
"The book is filled with sustainable insider's how-tos, but more importantly, it's filled with how-not-tos. Owen shows us how to avoid making expensive, resources consuming and possibly toxic mistakes. Because this book addresses the need for rethinking the lawn to grow gardens instead, it goes on my required reading list for all my Permaculture Design Courses. Sustainable Landscaping for Dummies is a beneficial resource for keeping up with the dynamic flows of environmental design."
Larry Santoyo, Director
EarthFlow Design Works
www.earthflow.com
Order Sustainable Landscaping for Dummies here get a copy signed by Owen.
BOOK TOUR!
Owen will be appearing at locations throughout California throughout 2009, giving his inspiring and informative lecture, Sustainable Landscaping: A Visionary Look at the Future of Gardens and selling copies of Sustainable Landscaping for Dummies as well as his other books. Please check out our current schedule of events. Hope to see you!
p.s. If you already have a copy of the book, please consider writing a review at Amazon.com.
Thanks a bunch!
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