Each of the books listed have been recommended by one member to another in our discussion forums. The books have been broken into categories, along with the person(s) who recommended the book, and the context within which it was recommended.
CategoriesLandscape Design Sales and Marketing Horticulture Bidding and Estimating Personnel Mgt / Leadership / Productivity Managing Money General Business Miscellany
Landscape Design
Secret Teachings in the Art of Japanese Gardens: Design Principles, Aesthetic Values
Recommended by: Ston Wurks
Recommended in this post: "As to design
^ Back to Top
The Landscape Lighting Book
Recommended by: Blacksheep
Recommended in this post: "I am just getting in to the Landscape Lighting business. (Except as an admirer, I am not into landscaping either) I have been reading everything I can get my hands on, as far as design, including Janet Moyers book. Signed up for a seminar in August at Kichler.
I am about to order a demo kit from Cast to start working with actual lights..."
^ Back to Top
Planting Design: A Manual Of Theory And Practice
Recommended by: Agla
Recommended in this post: "'Planting Design: AManual of Theory and Practice' by Nelson is a great comprehensive book that teaches design principles rather than the usual 'how to design like me because what I do is great and everything else is wrong' books that are out there..."
^ Back to Top
Drawing and Designing with Confidence: A Step-by-Step Guide
Recommended by: scott C
Recommended in this post: "...If you are really interested Mike has put out 2 books that I know of ( maybe more) 1 is architectural and rendering tech. which is a picture book of drawings. The second, which I have NOT seen is supposed to be more of a tutorial type book..."
^ Back to Top
Designing with Plants
Recommended by: Ston Wurks
Recommended in this post: "As to design
^ Back to Top
Natural Garden
Recommended by: TrickyDick
Recommended in this post: "Dirr is great but a little choatic (I defy anyone to find a specific Rhododendron in Dirr) and I still use it often but since I got Horticopia Pro software I use it much less. Horticopia is the best resource for info and plant pics that I've seen or heard of.
..."
^ Back to Top
Residential Landscape Architecture: Design Process for the Private Residence (2nd Edition)
Recommended by: TrickyDick
Recommended in this post: "'Residential Landscape Architecture' by Booth and Hiss is a really good book that covers everything from proposals and the client relationship to all aspects of residential design...."
^ Back to Top
Landscape Graphics
Recommended by: Agla ,Ston Wurks
Recommended in this thread: "Can anyone suggest any worthwhile online training programs or books on landscape design? I have a friend who is interested but is not able to attend classes at local programs."
^ Back to Top
Cultivating Sacred Space: Gardening for the Soul
Recommended by: Ston Wurks
Recommended in this post: "As to design
^ Back to Top
Zen of Seeing: Seeing/Drawing as Meditation
Recommended by: Ston Wurks
Recommended in this post: "As to design
^ Back to Top
The Inward Garden: Creating a Place of Beauty and Meaning
Recommended by: Ston Wurks
Recommended in this post: "As to design
^ Back to Top
Space and Illusion in the Japanese Garden
Recommended by: Ston Wurks
Recommended in this post: "As to design
^ Back to Top
Time-Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture
Recommended by: TrickyDick
Recommended in this post: "...As for books...'Time-Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture' by Harris and Dines seems to be the industry standard. Every construction or planting detail..."
^ Back to Top
The Well-Tended Perennial Garden: Planting and Pruning Techniques
Recommended by: RottieMommy
Recommended in this post: "I completely agree with any books from Michael Dirr. He has a bunch of books out with both photos and information.
^ Back to Top
The Well-Designed Mixed Garden: Building Beds and Borders with Trees, Shrubs, Perennials, Annuals, and Bulbs
Recommended by: RottieMommy
Recommended in this post: "I completely agree with any books from Michael Dirr. He has a bunch of books out with both photos and information.
^ Back to Top
Ortho's All About Creating Japanese Gardens
Recommended by: Stonehenge
Recommended in this post: I didn't recommend this book in any particular post, but in the past I have given this review on the book:
^ Back to Top
Feng Shui in 10 Simple Lessons
Recommended by: Stonehenge
Recommended in this post: "...I think Feng Shui is rooted in solid design principles, and if you follow the most basic of those principles, you'll end up with a nice scape. Don't get me wrong - moving a tree to increase prosperity or painting a certain color to improve health is out there, and not something I subscribe to. But just having a handle on..."
^ Back to Top
Sales and Marketing
Guerrilla Marketing: Secrets for Making Big Profits from Your Small Business
Recommended by: Stonehenge
Recommended in this post: "...If I could give you a recommendation, it would be to spend more of your money on those things where you know you'll get a return, like on new equipment. Marketing can be a fickle mistress, and there are lots of people out there who will be more than happy to separate you from your money. A lot of really strong marketing can be done for virtually nothing. I would recommend going to the bookstore and buying the latest edition..."
^ Back to Top
Get More Referrals Now!
Recommended by: Lawn Lad
Recommended in this post: "If you read the book, Get More Referrals Now, Bill Cates states that most customers who refer you will do it because they A) want to help you out and B) because they want to help a friend out. They don't do it because you're offering them a financial incentive...."
^ Back to Top
Practice Makes Perfect!: The Professional's Guide to Sales Success
Recommended by: Lawn Lad
Recommended in this post: "We're working on developing some sales tools for next year (website, print materials, etc.). I intend to have one of my supervisors sell more next year for some of our services. I'm looking to devlop a system that provides him with the information he needs to be successful. I also want to improve in sales..."
^ Back to Top
Juicing the Orange: How to Turn Creativity into a Powerful Business Advantage
Recommended by: rosenlof/lucas
Recommended in this post: "...There are lots of ways to advertise w/o spending a bunch of money. In fact I think you might be better off not spending money but being creative instead. I don't know about your target demographic, but ours doesn't really like to be marketed to, I don't either. Figure out ways to exploit social networks...."
^ Back to Top
Unleashing the Ideavirus
Recommended by: rosenlof/lucas
Recommended in this post: "While it's certainly as important to do great work, I think it's equally important to think about strategy and brand development/marketing, a lot. I would think your comment about other companies not being that different from one another speaks to this. Our firm works in a city where some people think about branding and some don't. I've yet to see anyone small who's doing a very good job at it. Branding is..."
^ Back to Top
The Only Negotiating Guide You'll Ever Need: 101 Ways to Win Every Time in Any Situation
Recommended by: cutntrim
Recommended in this post: "Couple of books I read last winter; 'The Only Negotiating Book You'll Ever Need' Peter B. Stark
^ Back to Top
Horticulture
The Ortho Problem Solver, Sixth Edition
Recommended by: Stonehenge
Recommended in this post: Though I didn't post this recommendation, I have given this review of the book: "This is a great reference for diagnosis of plant problems. I like to take clippings of plants and compare them to the photos in the book to help diagnose pests and diseases. Over a thousand pages, and several thousand photos to diagnose a huge number of plant issues. It also includes a pretty comprehensive index to help find exactly what you're looking for. Product labels for all Ortho products in the back and pages dedicated to discovering cultural issues in a landscape.
"
^ Back to Top
Production of Landscape Plants
Recommended by: VoodooChile
Recommended in this thread: "...Much of the rationale for this system of nursery production comes from the research of Dr. Carl Whitcomb, formerly full professor of Horticulture at Oklahoma State University. The results Dr. Whitcomb's research can be found in the excellent and eye-opening Establishment and Maintenance of Landscape Plants. In that book..."
^ Back to Top
The Victory Garden Landscape Guide
Recommended by: johnkeegan
Recommended in this post: "I've noticed a misnomer that keeps getting repeated here. If mulch is not in contact with soil (because of weedmat) it does not turn into "soil" unless soil is added to it. Mulch is straight organic matter. Soil is "10-20% organic matter (decayed plant life, such as mulch), 80-90% mineral matter (rocks, sand, silt, clay)," as quoted from the "Victory Garden..."
^ Back to Top
Establishment and Maintenance of Landscape Plants
Recommended by: VoodooChile
Recommended in this post: "...Much of the rationale for this system of nursery production comes from the research of Dr. Carl Whitcomb, formerly full professor of Horticulture at Oklahoma State University. The results Dr. Whitcomb's research can be found in the excellent and eye-opening Establishment and Maintenance of Landscape Plants. In that book..."
^ Back to Top
The Southern Gardener's Book of Lists: The Best Plants for All Your Needs, Wants, and Whims
Recommended by: LandArts
Recommended in this post: "Besides Dirr's stuff you might want to check out "The Southern gardener's book of lists".
^ Back to Top
Taylor's Guide to Perennials
Recommended by: cutntrim
Recommended in this post: "I've got three of Taylor's Guides To... (Shrubs, Perennials, Trees) and believe it or not, the Ortho books are pretty good in that they show..."
^ Back to Top
Taylor's Guide to Trees: The Definitive, Easy-to-use Guide to 200 of the Garden's Most Important Plants
Recommended by: cutntrim
Recommended in this post: "I've got three of Taylor's Guides To... (Shrubs, Perennials, Trees) and believe it or not, the Ortho books are pretty good in that they show..."
^ Back to Top
Taylor's Guide to Shrubs: How to Select and Grow More than 500 Ornamental and Useful Shrubs for Privacy, Ground Covers, and Specimen Plantings
Recommended by: cutntrim
Recommended in this post: "I've got three of Taylor's Guides To... (Shrubs, Perennials, Trees) and believe it or not, the Ortho books are pretty good in that they show..."
^ Back to Top
The Random House Book of Perennials: Early Perennials
Recommended by: sleepy
Recommended in this post: "...Good book and it has the plants in its natural location. Being on the left coast we dont see alot of the plants on the right side of the nation.
Hope this helps. My 2 cents"
^ Back to Top
Random House Book of Perennials Volume 2: Late Perennials
Recommended by: sleepy
Recommended in this post: "...Good book and it has the plants in its natural location. Being on the left coast we dont see alot of the plants on the right side of the nation.
Hope this helps. My 2 cents"
^ Back to Top
American Horticultural Society Great Plant Guide (American Horticultural Society Practical Guides)
Recommended by: Ground Illusion
Recommended in this post: "...I am looking for a really good plant and tree identification book, and where it can be purchased. I have my good ol' Great Plant Guide from the American Horticultural Society..."
^ Back to Top
Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses
Recommended by: agla ,trees ,Stonehenge ,VoodooChile ,Lanelle , and others
Recommended in this post: from Stonehenge: "Often referred to as the "Plant Bible". No landscaper's library is complete without this book. Other than the cover there are no plant photos, but there are line drawings of plant detail to aide in plant ID. Susceptibility to disease, bloom time, color...almost everything you'd want to know about woody plants."
^ Back to Top
Bidding and Estimating
Estimating for Landscape and Irrigation Contractors
Recommended by: PSUscaper , jwholden
Recommended in this post: "...That book by James Huston has some excellent reference numbers. For example, it tells you that if your company is under 200K your overhead should be in the $ xx,xxx range. If it is lower than that you..."
^ Back to Top
How to Price Landscape & Irrigation Projects (Greenback Series)
Recommended by: r schipul
Recommended in this post: "My suggestion would be to raise your rates this spring and continue to estimate the way you have been and incorporate your ideas later in the season. In the mean time read Pricing for the Green Industry by Frank Ross, VanderKooi Business Manual for Landscape Contractors(Video or Book) and Jim Huston's How to..."
^ Back to Top
Personnel Mgt / Leadership / Productivity
Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun
Recommended by: Stonehenge
Recommended in this post: "The "First Break All The Rules" title sounds familiar - I may have read that awhile ago, while working for another company. A book I recommend (though the title seems off-putting to some) is "Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun". The book puts the needs of people in leadership..."
^ Back to Top
Systems for Success: Strategies for Maximum Efficiency in Landscape Installation and Nursery Production
Recommended by: r schipul
Recommended in this post: "Sytems for Success is a book written by Dwight Hughes a landscaper/nurseryman in Iowa. He lectures on how he is able to gross upwards of $750,000 with 4 employees by minimizing waste and creating simple systems within his company. Some of those systems is the way his vehicles are set up and used..."
^ Back to Top
Now, Discover Your Strengths
Recommended by: Lawn Lad
Recommended in this post: "I recently listened to several books on CD by Marcus Buckingham. Personally I'm most fond of 'Now, discover your strengths', but I also enjoyed 'The one thing you need to know... (about management, leadership and personal effectiveness). One other title that covers a similar topic is 'First break all the rules'..."
^ Back to Top
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It
Recommended by: Lawn Lad ; it has also been recommended by many others.
Recommended in this post: "While my goal isn't to create a multi-million dollar enterprise, I do want to apply concepts learned in the E-Myth (Michael Gerber) and try and create a process that provides a consistent result. I feel by looking for a methodology that we can adapt to our company core values and personality, we can be more consistent and therefore predictable in our efforts...."
^ Back to Top
Please Understand Me: Character and Temperament Types
Recommended by: hnbullock
Recommended in this post: "I have taken the Meyers-Briggs test and found the results as described in 'Please Understand Me: Character and Temperament Types' by David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates, to be extremely accurate. Having words/descriptions about my work style..."
^ Back to Top
Less Is More: How Great Companies Improve Productivity Without Layoffs
Recommended by: cutntrim
Recommended in this post: "Couple of books I read last winter;
^ Back to Top
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
Recommended by: cutntrim
Recommended in this post: "The book I just picked up is "Getting Things Done". It's upstairs and I'm too lazy to go get it, but I think the author is David Allen. He's managed to write 260 pages about how to organize one's work/home life all in a very detailed filing system...."
^ Back to Top
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't
Mentioned by: r schipul
Mentioned in this post: "Haven't read any lately. My next will be Good to Great by Jim Collins which I've read or heard about twice in the last month."
^ Back to Top
A Stake in the Outcome: Building a Culture of Ownership for the Long-Term Success of Your Business
Recommended by: rbriggs
Recommended in this post: "Rob, y ou are right. I listened to Good To Great three times and parts of it still don't make sense. But I get something out of it each time I listen to it.
The E-Myth is another great book. People don't fail, systems do!..."
^ Back to Top
Gung Ho! Turn On the People in Any Organization
Recommended by: Rob Shauger
Recommended in this post: "Anyone read any good books or listen to any good business cd's as of late?
^ Back to Top
Customers For Life: How To Turn That One-Time Buyer Into a Lifetime Customer
Recommended by: Gardenhaus
Recommended in this post: "There are a lot of great books obviously out there from the business side to the personal side and they all help. I have six shelves of business/performance psychology books in my office and gym.
^ Back to Top
Managing Money
The Millionaire Next Door
Recommended by: Lawn Lad
Recommended in this post: "...When I read the book 'A millionaire next door' several years back, I began to see my customer base in a different light. It was funny, those that could least afford the landscape work tended to be those in the largest houses, with the fanciest cars and all the trimmings. Those that had no objection to pulling out their check books were those that lived more modestly and within their means. I started to qualify my prospects differently..."
^ Back to Top
The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
Recommended by: Dale Wiley
Recommended in this post: "...This great advice. After 27 years in this business and borrowing way too much money, I am basically on a cash basis.
^ Back to Top
Financial Peace: Restoring Financial Hope to You and Your Family
Recommended by: Dale Wiley
Recommended in this post: "...This great advice. After 27 years in this business and borrowing way too much money, I am basically on a cash basis.
^ Back to Top
Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money--That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!
Recommended by: Nebraska , Bill Schwab
Recommended in this post: "...it tells the story of a guy (Kiosaki) who had two dads. His real dad, who was a school teacher with a cush government job, who taught him to work hard, pay off his house, and let the government take care of him, and, his friends dad, a rich dad, who showed him the way to true wealth by thinking out side the box...."
^ Back to Top
General Business
How to Start a Home-Based Landscaping Business, 5th (Home-Based Business Series)
Recommended by: cutntrim
Recommended in this post: "...'How to Start a Home Based Landscaping Business' remains the best industry book I've read so far. Focused on the business side of a sole proprietor/partnership landscape company, it is full of useful insights from a guy who's been-there-done-that and..."
^ Back to Top
So You Want to Start a Nursery
Recommended by: VoodooChile
Recommended in this post: "So You Want to Start a Nursery is an excellent introduction to getting going growing green plants for green money. Tony Avent of Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh N.C. wrote it, and anyone who has seen his catalog or heard him speak can testify to his expertise..."
^ Back to Top
TeLL me More Spanish – Intelligent Solution (3 levels: Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced)
Recommended by: johnkeegan
Recommended in this post: "...about Rosetta Stone. Look into "Tell me More" by Intelligent Solution. I was ready to buy Rosetta Stone but then I went on different sites to get reviews, etc. and kept seeing high marks for "Tell Me More." So I ordered that instead. It's quite good...."
^ Back to Top
Biodiesel America: How to Achieve Energy Security, Free America from Middle-east Oil Dependence And Make Money Growing Fuel
Recommended by: Bamboo
Recommended in this post: "You need to pick up a copy of " From The Fryer to the Fuel Tank" Written by Joshua Tickell. It goes through the devopment of the diesel engine to how we can make the diesel engine preform FOR WHAT IT WAS MADE FOR! Multiple fules. Mr. Diesel happend to be murdered for his development of a muti fuel burning engine...."
^ Back to Top
Miscellany
The Complete Pebble Mosaic Handbook
Recommended by: TerraVerde
Recommended in this post: "The mosaic was by Maggie Howarth, she's quite well known over here and has done a lot of public work for city councils . I just checked and her book is available through the US Amazon site.
^ Back to Top
