This is the best how-to garden book I've found. It has great pictures, it is well laid out and very easy to use. Too often gardening book are very dense and overwhelming. If you only buy one gardening book this should be it.Part one is all about how to develop and maintain a garden. I been gardening for years yet learned a lot of practical information I just hadn't thought about. For example: if you are going to plant a group of plants it's better to dig up and prepare the whole bed rather than dig individual holes for each plant because the roots will grow faster and wider. There is great info about planting, dealing with problems, easy ways of propagation and what to do season by season. This book had helped me become a much better gardener.Part two is about individual plants here too I learn so much that I didn't know like cutting back many plants early in the season will help the plant be stronger and better shaped. I knew about asters and mums but there are so many more plant specific options for optimal performance. There is specific information about what to do season by season, plant by plant and how to propagate and trouble shoot specific challenges.The other gardening book I recommend, particullarly for those beginning or adding a new garden is the Ever-Blooming Flower Garden by Lee Schneller. That is the best book on garden planning, design and plant selection. It is also helpful for "fixing" poorly designed established gardens.