Newspaper, Pennies, Cardboard & Eggs For Growing A Better Garden | Gardening Book Review

How to use common household items for better and more productive gardening. A review of the gardening book by Roger Yepsen.

I’m always looking for unusual ideas for creating a garden, so when I came across this book by Roger Yepsen, I knew it would contain a lot of handy tips and tricks. After all, Roger Yepsen is one of the top authorities on all things gardening!

Newspaper, Pennies, Cardboard and Eggs… not only contains a wealth of information on starting and planting a garden, but also tips on building items to use in your yard.

It is a fun book, easy to read, and the perfect gift for anyone who likes to garden. I gave my brother a copy of this book for Christmas in 2011, and he still tells me how much he refers to it!

Image Credit: southernfoodwaysalliance | Flickr Commons

Chapters

Newspaper, Pennies, Cardboard & Eggs for Growing a Better Garden is broken down into 10 chapters, then are narrowed down into tips, fixes and projects:

Seed Starting & Saving
This chapter covers everything from selecting seeds to starting them in pots.

Planting & Transplanting
Learn how to make your own seed tape, the different places to plant (such as pots or garden beds), how temperatures affect plants, plus a whole lot more!

Soil, Composting & Fertilizing
The type of soil you have affects the type of seeds you plant. This chapter covers soil types, how to make compost, and organic fertilizers.

Weeds, & What To Do About Them
Weeds are the gardener’s bane, and this book covers all types of weeds, and creative ways to get rid of them.

Pests & Diseases
Bugs aren’t the only types of pests in a garden. You’ll learn how to keep out deer, rabbits and other animals. It also covers worms, parasites, and the “good” insects that are beneficial for your garden.

The Vegetable Garden
How to plan your garden space, what to plant, and where to located each vegetable.

Growing Flowers
Everything you need to know about growing flowers in pots, windows and beds.

Herbs
Not only does this chapter tell you the benefits and uses for each herb, but also provides planting tips and tricks.

Tools, Supports & Storage
You’ll learn which are the best garden tools, how to build plant supports, and the best storage solutions for gardening.

Out In The Yard
This covers just about everything in the yard: the lawn, garden, pathways, lighting and rock gardens

Why I Recommend This Book

This is a great book for anyone who likes to garden, or wishes to learn more about gardening. It is not to be read in one sitting, but to follow as you go about planning your garden, choosing the plants, and helping them grow. The book claims to have over 400 ideas, and while I have not counted them, I am certain there are at least that many!

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What I really like about this book are the ideas for using common, every day items from around the house. For example, using newspaper in composting; garbage bags to protect your plants from cold weather, and growing vegetables from supermarket produce.

There are many illustrations throughout the book, and easy-to-follow instructions for all ideas mentioned. This is a great resource – or gift – for those with a green thumb!

Want to Learn More About Roger Yepsen?

Roger Yepsen’s Blog
A blog on gardening and cooking

The Compost Pile Blog
News, ideas and information on composting, renewable energy, and sustainable living.

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