The Deckchair Gardener: An Improper Gardening Manual

by Anne Wareham

Written for the reluctant gardener, this a guide to what not to do in the garden. Rather than letting your plot revert to wilderness, Wareham (the gardener of Vedw House, near Tintern) encourages finding easier ways to do the jobs you dislike and suggests effective alternative. The books is arranged by season, from what not to do in spring (grow roses - if you don't grow them they won't need pruning), to winter (washing empty pots - madness).

Genres: Nonfiction, Gardening

192 pages, Paperback

Published March 2, 2017

About the author

Anne Wareham is a prolific garden writer for newspapers (including the Telegraph, Guardian and Spectator) and garden magazines (including The Garden). She edits the website ThinkinGarden, which has won a Garden Media Guild award and has a large following in the UK and abroad, receiving over 10,000 visits a month.

Reviews

[Maggie Panning · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't say that I got much out of this book. Perhaps because her gardening style isn't mine. I like to grow vegetables and I most certainly do not use glyphosate. The best advice from the book, things she repeats over and over: mulch and don't dig. Great advice, but I certainly didn't need to read this book for that. The book should have been funnier to, as that is what she is going for. I'm not sure who this book would be a good fit for, but it wasn't me. The further I went into it the less I liked it. Perhaps I should have given it up, but it was short and easy and I honestly kept hoping it would redeem itself. It did not.

[Miki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing and witty, but not terribly useful in a practical sense, as the focus is on gardening in England. However, the author supports my view that gardening is often more labor than it needs to be. I feel validated in my own practice of benign neglect, and the philosophy of "let the strong survive! Or not. Whatever.".

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing, different way to view gardening :)

[Cheryl Gatling]

This is a book about how to have a garden without working too hard. Or at least to make sure that what work you do do in the garden is what you enjoy, not a dreaded chore. The first piece of advice is to beware of gardening advice. Some of it is aimed at fancy gardeners, which you don't have to be. Some of it is coming from an industry aiming to sell you things. Some of it is passed from person to person without a scientific basis. You don't have to do everything you are told.

I was surprised to find how much of the advice in this book I already follow, beginning with the first item. Don't grow lilies. The year scarlet lily beetles devoured my lilies is the same year I decided not to plant any more. I never deadhead anything. I mulch the heck out of everything. I don't stake or tie or edge. And my garden is a little shaggy around the edges, and I love it.

The companion advice to "don't do what you don't love," is "do do what you do love," or, have a specialty garden. I did this, too. When rabbits ruined my vegetable garden, I switched to fruit. My berry bushes and fruit trees have so far flourished.

Other advice: Prune whenever you want to. Transplant whenever you want to, as long as you water. If a plant gives you trouble, dig it out and plant something else. Don't bother with aerating, feeding, or raking the lawn. I disagree with the author on the use of glyphosate, but she knew that many of her readers would. Perhaps most importantly, enjoy your garden. Spend time outside, sitting and relaxing in your own corner of nature.

[R.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, but too irrelevant to a Greek reader!

Ευχάριστο βιβλίο να περάσει κανείς την ώρα του αν έχει κάποια σχέση με την κηπουρική, γραμμένο σε ανάλαφρο τόνο, ωστόσο... αν δεν έχετε κανένα κήπο στη Βρετανία και κατά προτίμηση πιο συγκεκριμένα στην Ουαλία, μάλλον δεν έχει καμία πρακτική χρήση!

[Debra Golden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the tips on making things easier. Biggest takeaway: mulch!
The British terms added some flavor and a little confusion, and also made it along with author's attitude - fun and entertaining as well as practical.

[Marty · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t realize when I picked up this book that it is about gardening in England. But I kept reading it because it’s funny. And I did read some advice that gives me confidence in what I don’t do in my garden.

[Katra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's a jolly romp through the garden, one that doesn't fill with guilt and unattainable expectations. It does, however, give some good, usable, advice, the kind you might actually be able to follow.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t garden and I only read the book for light reading as it looked vaguely funny and it was free. However I thought it was very good. It wasn’t just a funny book about not gardening but reasonable reasons were given for not doing the suggested activities for the season.

[Annette McIntyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book full of all kinds short cuts for your garden

[Kristen Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humorous, helpful at times. Some food for thought when garden-planning time comes next spring!

[Pepper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing writing style, nothing crazy deep but still enjoyable.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Take these easy, practical gardening tips and you'll soon have enough flowers to cobble dogs with.

[Nina .c · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an entertaining book. Amused me and made me feel less guilty about neglecting my own garden.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only wish I'd read this before I started gardening. It would have avoided a lot of wasted effort

[Tay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humorous observations and advice for being a laid-back, or slacker gardener. Enjoyable and quick read divided into seasons.

[Susan Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming book, full of cheeky, but surprisingly good gardening information.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book because I am a novice gardener and thought it would be funny.

it's so much more than that. It made me laugh and also offered sensible and practical advice.

I will be using some of the advice in my garden and greenhouse come spring. looking forward to getting out there 😊

[Kem Mirsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, funny, and practical.

[Caleb Melchior · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenally funny and useful book. Anne points out the folly and absurdity of basing your Garden decisions on what works for other people - find ways to make Your Garden work for you. Can’t recommend this enough.