THE PERFECT GARDEN

Brand new softcover book measuring 16.5 x 17 cm approx. 185 pages, lots of B&W photos. RRP .95

Introduction - by the author (from www.penguin.com.au)

The perfect garden doesn't need to be large – today many of us live on small blocks with limited open space. But whatever the size of your plot or pot, it does need suitable plants, colour, perfume, structure, texture, decoration. And it needs to be interesting all year round.

This book brings together gardening hints and anecdotes I've collected over the years as a hands-on gardener, writer and broadcaster. During my years on talkback radio I was asked the same questions over and again: 'When is the best time to prune?' 'What should I plant to attract birds to my garden?' 'How can I hide an ugly fence?' 'Why haven't my bulbs flowered this year?' There were many more, of course. I've always wanted to write a book that answers questions like these as well as providing all sorts of other practical tips and design inspiration. Finally, here it is.

I've really enjoyed 'harvesting' the information and ideas you'll find in these pages. And I hope you will enjoy browsing for inspiration as well as looking for solutions to problems when you get stuck – which every gardener does from time to time. (You might like to copy the calendar on pages 60-1 and stick it in the shed or on the fridge, so that you don't forget when to cut back the lavender or plant the lettuce.) Most of all, I hope that what you find here will encourage you to be creative in cultivating your own perfect garden, not just once but many times in your life.

About the author

Andrew Seccull grew up in a family of gardeners and now runs Jenny Smith Gardens, a design business started by his mother. He is a regular contributor to a range of newspapers and magazies, and has been the gardening editor at The Age. He also co-hosted the popular 'Sunday Gardening Club' on 3AW for many years.