Books for Gardeners

We think you should use our suggestions for books for gardeners which include a CD Rom (very eco friendly) as well as a book for fledgling eco warriors.

Complete Gardens is the best garden planning software around that has been published in a series of CD Roms for the active gardener. The latest version was published in May 2007 and is bigger and more extensive than the last with an encyclopaedia of 3500 plants and 9000 photographs. Select plants to suit conditions in your garden, add to your personal lists and then read about care and pruning (with animated drawings). Lists and other pages can be printed off. The photographs are of the highest quality and are taken by Neil Bromhall, who won an Emmy for his time-lapse filming in David Attenborough's much-admired television series The Private Life of Plants. Complete Gardens costs £39.95 inc UK p&p and is a bargain for all the top quality information it holds. Buy from Complete Gardens £39.95

Dream Gardens by Andrew Lawson and Tania Compton acts as a superb sourcebook. Looking at 100 modern and contemporary gardens around the world, it brings together fabulous garden design ideas that can be incorporated into your own outdoor space. The beautifully illustrated book covers all locations from small city gardens to some breathtaking richly planted gardens in the countryside. Each garden is shown with key features and essential details, whilst offering an insight into the aims of both the designer and garden owner. Plants are described as well making this not only a useful source of inspiration but one for information. Published by Merrell Publishers. amazon: £17.47 (rrp: £24.95)

The Low Carbon Diet will kickstart friends and family into doing their bit for saving the planet. It shows you how to cut down on your carbon calories in the home, in the car and at play. A lot of the suggestions are fairly obvious but when you read the number crunching and if we all behaved responsibly, it really can make a difference. It's a fun book with lots of practical advice to readjust your carbon weight and in the process improve your bank balance and fitness. What is surprising that Short Books felt a need to publish a paper version when we are all striving for a paper-free society. However, this is still a book that should be on everyone's Christmas wishlist. Published by Short Books. amazon: £9.09 (rrp: £12.99)