Beginner landscaping book for the Midwest

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tw0405 Champaign, IL Dec 05, 2011

I live in IL and would like to buy a very basic starter book for a friend who'd like to do some home landscaping. The only Google response I've been able to find is Landscaping for Dummies - which didn't appear to have good reviews. Does anyone have suggestions?

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dax080 Cedar Rapids, IA(Zone 5a) Dec 06, 2011

Hi -- I'm in Iowa - 4b/5a zone -- my favorite design primer is by Janet Macunovich, who lives and works in Wisconsin. It is "Designing Your Gardens and Landscapes -- 12 Simple Steps for Successful Planning." I'm sure it is available easily on-line. Makes it much easier to organize your thoughts, and ALOT of useful advice for the newbie, including where to go for further information. It's been of great help to me -- Dax

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tw0405 Champaign, IL Dec 06, 2011

Thank you SO MUCH! My order has just been placed from Amazon. All of the reviews are excellent and it looks like it might be just the thing that I was looking for -- even though I didn't KNOW exactly what I was looking for: )

Again your response and recommendation are much appreciated. - Terree

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dax080 Cedar Rapids, IA(Zone 5a) Dec 07, 2011

Glad I could be of help - have a joyous holiday season! Dax

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GaryAntonich Elgin, IL Dec 31, 2011

I went to school at the U of I and live up in Campton Hills.If you want a good plant book to really learn everything about plants try looking up Michael Dirr. That's what I used as a student in Ornamental Horticulture Alot of colleges and jc's use as a text. I use it in the classes I instruct. Enjoy yourself.

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tw0405 Champaign, IL Jan 06, 2012

Gary -

Would Dirr's book Creative Home Landscaping be appropriate? Does it apply to this area?

Thanks so much for your time and response!

Terree

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GaryAntonich Elgin, IL Jan 16, 2012

It's my understanding that Michael Dirr is a contributor to the Creative Home Landscaper book, not the primary......Have you tried some Mags like "Horticulture", or "Better Homes and Gardens"? I went to re-read your intent for info........Does your friend intend on 'gardening'?, or just some basic info on not making too big of mistakes for "Do it Yourselfers? Like planting trees too close to the house...etc. There is a landscape design textbook by 'Nelson' that was around in the old days......Gardening means so many different things to people. some good some bad. I remember a Huge Garden Center I think on 70.......Prairie Gardens maybe?????? Try them as a starter for books.......

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