The Complete Handbook of Gardening Accessories

I've bought a lot of handbooks over the years and most are just fluff. This one actually got into the weeds, so to speak, with things like steel grades and handle materials. The first chapter alone changed how I'm looking at my current inventory. Gave it four stars because while the maintenance section is good, I felt the section on motorized accessories like trimmers was a bit thin, but the core information on hand tools and irrigation is excellent.

It's a solid reference, I'll keep it on the shelf for sure. The chapter on understanding accessories makes a good case for why you shouldn't just buy the cheapest trowel, which I know is my habit. I found the specs chapter to be a little dense for a casual reader like me, and I wish it had more pictures. That being said, the information is accurate and it's clearly written by people who know what they're doing, not just marketers.

Finally, a reference book that treats gardening tools with the same seriousness as a set of power tools. The breakdown of handle materials and the mechanics of a good pair of bypass pruners is exactly what I needed to justify the upgrade to my crew. I used the troubleshooting section to fix a nasty drip irrigation blockage last week. Worth every penny for anyone whose livelihood depends on a shovel or a hose.

A very practical and thorough book. I appreciated the way it broke down the full category in the first chapter, it really gives you a new perspective on your own shed. It's well written and the advice on choosing the right kit is sensible. I docked a star because a lot of the specifications listed in chapter two are things I already knew from working in the industry, but for a serious hobbyist it would probably be spot on.

I'm a home gardener who is trying to take things more seriously, and this book is a bit of a mixed bag for me. The general premise is good, and the bits about preventing rust and cleaning tools are helpful. However, some of the latter chapters focus very heavily on commercial operations, which is a bit overkill for my little vegetable patch. It's priced like a textbook, and it reads like one. If you're a pro, it's probably great.

The book is incredibly thorough and leaves no stone unturned regarding the 'stuff' of gardening. I was hoping for a bit more focus on aesthetics and I found that first chapter a little dry. It gets down to the nitty-gritty of why a cheap hoe might break on you. That said, I am glad I read it because I learned that my expensive leather gloves aren't as protective as my cheap rubber ones when it comes to wet work. It's a reliable, no-nonsense guide.