http://www.ponds-and-fountains.com/books/rain-gardens-managing-water-sustainably-in-the-garden-and-designed-landscape/ Learn more about water features and garden ponds. Mon, 05 Jul 2010 07:57:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 http://www.ponds-and-fountains.com/books/rain-gardens-managing-water-sustainably-in-the-garden-and-designed-landscape/comment-page-1/#comment-150 Chrissy Sat, 25 Jul 2009 18:14:49 +0000 http://www.ponds-and-fountains.com/books/rain-gardens-managing-water-sustainably-in-the-garden-and-designed-landscape/#comment-150 A thorough treatment of all possible ways of dealing with storm water run-off, not just rain gardens. No detailed instructions on "how-to" which I had expected. A thorough treatment of all possible ways of dealing with storm water run-off, not just rain gardens. No detailed instructions on “how-to” which I had expected.

]]> http://www.ponds-and-fountains.com/books/rain-gardens-managing-water-sustainably-in-the-garden-and-designed-landscape/comment-page-1/#comment-149 Anonymous Sat, 25 Jul 2009 15:56:37 +0000 http://www.ponds-and-fountains.com/books/rain-gardens-managing-water-sustainably-in-the-garden-and-designed-landscape/#comment-149 This book only covers about 16 pages of rain gardens out of ~175 pages. A more appropriate title should be its subtitle, not rain gardens. If you're looking for rain garden info, this is not the book. It is a good reference for other sustainable water practices - standing water retention, swimming ponds, green roofs, etc. This book only covers about 16 pages of rain gardens out of ~175 pages. A more appropriate title should be its subtitle, not rain gardens. If you’re looking for rain garden info, this is not the book. It is a good reference for other sustainable water practices – standing water retention, swimming ponds, green roofs, etc.

]]> http://www.ponds-and-fountains.com/books/rain-gardens-managing-water-sustainably-in-the-garden-and-designed-landscape/comment-page-1/#comment-148 Taariq Sat, 25 Jul 2009 15:27:25 +0000 http://www.ponds-and-fountains.com/books/rain-gardens-managing-water-sustainably-in-the-garden-and-designed-landscape/#comment-148 Let me first state that this is an excellent book. However, it is really a book about taking things to the next level. If you are looking for solid how-to information about installing a rain garden in your back yard, you might be disappointed. Landscape architects, designers and accomplished amateurs with advanced skill sets looking to handle water both innovatively and creatively will delight in this book. I did . . . but then I already have three rain gardens in my own landscape and teach how-to classes on installing them. If the concept of rain gardens intrigues you and you are looking for the basics on a DIY level, the free, downloadable rain garden manual from the University of Wisconsin is still the best source of that information, as of January 2008. This book has a decidedly European flavor to it. And why shouldn't it? It is written by a couple of Brits. Although I am hard-pressed to see how some of the models given in the book will pass muster with the Americans with Disabilities Act, codes and other regulatory bodies, they should indeed stimulate the mind. The examples (of which there are many) also include public and even larger municipal installations. I find this a good thing for Americans to be exposed to. The Europeans are far ahead of us in green thinking. Included are some examples of essentially, municipal civil engineering projects both implemented and functioning with panache. This is a book that I value having in my personal library. Someone looking for basic information may not. Let me first state that this is an excellent book. However, it is really a book about taking things to the next level. If you are looking for solid how-to information about installing a rain garden in your back yard, you might be disappointed. Landscape architects, designers and accomplished amateurs with advanced skill sets looking to handle water both innovatively and creatively will delight in this book. I did . . . but then I already have three rain gardens in my own landscape and teach how-to classes on installing them. If the concept of rain gardens intrigues you and you are looking for the basics on a DIY level, the free, downloadable rain garden manual from the University of Wisconsin is still the best source of that information, as of January 2008. This book has a decidedly European flavor to it. And why shouldn’t it? It is written by a couple of Brits. Although I am hard-pressed to see how some of the models given in the book will pass muster with the Americans with Disabilities Act, codes and other regulatory bodies, they should indeed stimulate the mind. The examples (of which there are many) also include public and even larger municipal installations. I find this a good thing for Americans to be exposed to. The Europeans are far ahead of us in green thinking. Included are some examples of essentially, municipal civil engineering projects both implemented and functioning with panache. This is a book that I value having in my personal library. Someone looking for basic information may not.

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