The 7 Best Gardening Books For Beginners

Best for Vegetable Gardens: The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible, 2nd Edition

The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible can educate you on everything you need to know on how to plant and grow beautiful veggies, which makes it a top choice for the best gardening books for beginners. It teaches you how to grow the basics like carrots and tomatoes to more unique varieties of produce. This book is well-suited for both beginners and seasoned gardeners, all of whom can learn a thing or two from the author’s high-yield gardening techniques. One of the best gardening books for beginners in the market.

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This book is based on Edward C Smith’s W-O-R-D gardening method, which he claims will work in all regions in North America. W-O-R-D stands for Wide rows, Organic methods, Raised beds, and Deep soil; all four are gardening strategies that will help boost your harvest when used accurately. The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible also includes meticulous profiles of hundreds of popular vegetables, which will give you insights into what you need to grow them at home successfully. You’ll find some tips on how to succeed with particular plants, grow unique varieties, and extend your growing season.

The Good

Reviewers state that this book comprises everything you need to know about vegetables. Even experienced gardeners say that they still use this book for reference. This book is a must-have if you’re interested in planting a grand vegetable garden.

The Bad

This book contains a LOT of information and can be very overwhelming, especially for beginners. Some say they find it more confusing after reading through some pages. The book can also be very technical, and most of the methods presented require expert skills and resources.

Rodale’s Basic Organic Gardening: A Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Healthy Garden 

If you are new into the world of trowels and trellises, it would be wise to invest in Rodale’s Basic Organic Gardening, a complete handbook for new gardeners. This gardening manual for beginners will answer all your queries, no matter how simple they are, helping you commence your very own organic garden. You’d find that the details in this book make it the best gardening books for beginners. One of the best gardening books for beginners in the market.

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This book covers all the fundamental knowledge you will need to plunge into the amazing world of gardening. There is a skills section that answers questions such as “How do I plant seeds?” and “What’s the best way to dig?” The book also incorporates topics like seeds, soil, compost, pest control, and weeds, utilizing easy-to-comprehend language to avoid confusion, especially to beginners.

The Good

More than 100 basic gardening terms are explained throughout this book, making you feel confident when you step out into the garden. This gardening handbook contains projects, plant models, sample garden layouts, and many more.

Reviewers say this book is truly one of the best gardening books for beginners because it helped their gardening attempts, assuming and answering their questions thoroughly.

The Bad

Reviewers say that it took them quite some time to get used to the books’ tone of writing, and some say that some basic things are lacking. 

All New Square Foot Gardening II: The Revolutionary Way to Grow More in Less Space 

Square Foot Gardening is the most efficient, fail-safe way to create a home garden, whether you’re starting an urban one, or have an entire backyard. One of the best gardening books for beginners in the market.

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Not everyone is blessed to have a vast yard to call their own, but this does not mean you have to abandon your gardening dreams. This book, All New Square Foot Gardening II, will guide you on how to create a fantastic garden in just a tiny area.

The gardening methods in this book have been practiced since the 1980s, and they’re still treasured today. The updated guide demonstrates how you can plant a small plot and use vertical gardening methods to grow healthy and beautiful plants. What’s different about the techniques in this book is that there are no complex tools or ingredients. You need the basics, which makes it an excellent guide for beginners!

The Good

Readers say that Mel Bartholomew’s techniques work and are great for starting gardeners. Others say the book is easy to follow and that it has lots of helpful information. 

The Bad

One of the downsides mentioned by several readers is that the prescribed soil mixture can be too costly, depending on the location you shop.

The Garden Primer: Second Edition

“The Garden Primer” by Barbara Damrosch supports amateur gardeners learn the basics without getting too overwhelmed. One of the best gardening books for beginners in the market.

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This book is a beginner’s source designed to explain the fundamentals. It is also a reference book even if you’ve got your garden up and running.

The book begins with the ABC’s of “What Plants Need,” then incorporates everything from the kind of tools you’ll need when starting, to what plants to buy at the store, and how to keep your soil productive year after year.

The Good

The book is an excellent way to get data on how to garden. The author’s style of writing also makes you feel like you’re learning for satisfaction, not just for information.

The Bad

This book is regarded as 100% organic, but some instructions recommend using treated woods, which would technically make your garden non-organic. 

Gaia’s Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture, 2nd Edition 

“Gaia’s Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture” by Toby Hemenway carries all the information you need to plan the perfect garden. One of the best gardening books for beginners in the market.

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The original edition of this book first came out before the year 2000 and was popularly regarded as an influence on eco-minded gardeners around the globe.

Author Toby Hemenway emphasizes the value of keeping companion plants that work mutually and help each other grow. His thoughts about how to promote natural symbiosis and to create backyard habitats for essential insects and critters increased the interest in organic gardening from just a trend to an all-out movement.

The second edition has been a recipient of various awards has become required reading for small-scale gardeners everywhere. 

The Good

Gaia’s Garden” has become a favorite of novice gardeners. Reviewers admire how the author puts complicated theories into actionable and straightforward words.

This book also contains illustrated planting maps showing what plants grow best together. It has a lot of easy to follow instructions with excellent fundamental gardening theories.

The Bad

Although this book has numerous photos and illustrations, other books have more visually-appealing and full-colored graphics. 

The Backyard Homestead: Produce all the food you need on just a quarter acre! 

This is one book that genuinely seems to have it all! It will help you learn everything you need to know, from growing vegetables and grains to raising animals for meat. You will even learn how to keep honey bees! One of the best gardening books for beginners in the market.

Product Highlights

This complete guide to homesteading presents all the knowledge you need to know on how to grow and maintain a sustainable harvest of vegetables and grains; raise animals for eggs, meat, and dairy; and keep honey bees. With easy-to-follow directions on pickling, drying, and canning, you will savor your backyard harvest during those winter months.

The Good

One excellent characteristic of this best-seller is that it is very comprehensive talks about various gardening do’s and don’ts. A lot of readers love how the book shows the possibility of making your home and land a perfect place to grow all your food.

The Bad

Because this book was published a long time ago, many readers say that the book is kind of outdated, inconsistent, and is not a how-to book.

Best for Flower Gardens: The Flower Gardener’s Bible 

If you are just interested in filling your yard with beautiful flowers, then you’ll find The Flower Gardener’s Bible to be an astonishingly valuable source as you plant your gardens full of colorful blooms. One of the best gardening books for beginners in the market.

Product Highlights

This book will help you grow vigorous, flourishing gardens that bloom all year long. It contains a lot of expert advice that addresses everything from how to pick the most suitable growing location to tips on lengthening the lifespan of your plants. In addition to remarkable images, you will also find suggestions on how to enhance soil, repel pests, harmonize your gardens to produce 400 types of flowers flourish with radiant colors.

The Good

This book is suitable for both beginners and experienced gardeners. Most reviews say it includes lots of useful information and sources to help you recognize dozens of types of flowers.

The Bad

Most readers suggest buying a physical copy, as the Kindle version is poorly formatted.