Well not quite that bad, but we do experience some chilly days and nights, which is reason enough to sit and relax with a good book and, for the gardener in the family, a host of interest and knowledge abounds between the pages.

The following titles are recommendations based on the books content, be it pictorial or purely text, but there should be some interest pertaining to our ways and means of gardening practice.

Bermuda landscapes tend to lean heavily on soft landscaping often to the detriment of the property; hard landscaping features are slowly emerging as focal points with rock ? amongst other things ? becoming a feature.

Bermuda stone is not ? in my opinion ? the best of stone to work with in a garden, fortunately several companies import various types of rock or stone in various forms to assist in creating more interest in the landscape. is an easy to read approach to using stone in the landscape. Chapters cover the use of stone for pathways, walls, garden ornaments, water, hills and dips and in the general landscape. Most examples given cover cooler climes than ours, but the ideas are enough to stir interest in the creative thinker.

Titles can be an interesting aspect of what we pick up and browse. Such is the title, , an interesting potpourri of 700 shortcuts, tips and remedies for the gardener.

Examples being the use of a pencil to space and drill tiny seeds in rows; for the conservation minded, use egg boxes to start seedlings then divide and plant each square. Mother Nature will take care of the rest. A book borne of necessity and ingenuity, a light-hearted approach to how to do simple things in the garden ? if you have time!!explores the continuing wave of interest of the garden industry in the use of containers for patio, garden or wherever they ?feel at home?.

A simplistic approach on ?how to? for each aspect covered, under the headings of Planted Pots, Troughs and Window Boxes and Hanging Baskets.

If you can plant in it an example is given to the point of how creative and out of the box one can be when mixing and matching plants and pots or containers. In Bermuda invariably we have to create are own ?patterns of plantings? as many of those recommended will not grow well in our climate.

For history buffs, will bring to life the gardens of ancient Greece and Rome. Under the headings, Earth, Fire, Air and Water the author shows the greatness of designers in days of yore; details on the importance of fountains, allees, orientation to the sun, earthen seats, grottoes and sunken gardens are discussed and with line drawings bring to life the reality of their use and being.

The simplicity of the need to design such gardens is interesting considering our present day need for heating cold rooms and air conditioning hot areas. A fascinating read for those of us who need to know.

We tend to grow many familiar plants in Bermuda, but the interest of introduces the reader to use the recommended plants as focal points in the landscape, whether alone or in groups.

The plant directory covers such plants as palms, yuccas, agaves, cordylines, cycads, bromeliads and those miscellaneous plants that may have a niche in a Bermuda garden. The directory offers the usual information pertaining to cold hardiness, growth rate, flower, fruit propagation and origin.

Browsing through bookshelves is always an interesting exercise, but when one finds a real gem it is well worth the time spent. is just one of those gems. The authors are professors at the University of Florida and have produced a very useful ?catalogue? of plants that grown in the areas stated.

Under the headings, selection, establishment and maintenance we are walked through the major pitfalls that befall many a grower who does not do his homework.

The plant selection guide covers salt tolerant plants for trees, shrubs, vines and ground covers as well as palms; each plant is listed with a botanical name, common name and other information covering hardiness, size, soil moisture, uses, attributes etc. Not only worth reading, but also inspires one to try some of the plants recommended for the various locations.

Interest in the garden may be created in many ways. Personally, I like to introduce features such as garden ornaments that create a stunning effect if place correctly. both offer inspiring ideas and thought provoking approaches in how and why to use such items in the garden. Antiques, however old, can often find ?new life? when placed in a garden setting, whilst design in general dictates the necessity of such use.

May I take this opportunity of wishing all my readers a Happy and Blessed Christmas and a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year.