1937 The Complete Book of Gardening by John Coutts

Description

The Complete Book of Gardening
by John Coutts, A. Osborn & A. Edwards
Published in 1937 by Ward, Lock & Co., Limited (London)
Fourth Impression | Hardcover | 768 pages | 9.5″ x 6.5″

 

A beautifully illustrated and highly detailed gardening reference compiled by John Coutts along with A. Osborn and A. Edwards, then the curator and assistant curators of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. First published in 1930, this revised 1937 edition offers an expansive look at nearly every aspect of home gardening.

The content ranges from soil preparation, lawn care, and grafting to the design of rock gardens, flower borders, and fruit cultivation. Practical yet comprehensive, it’s the kind of book that walks you through the details of levelling your lawn just as easily as planning a perennial bed or planting bulbs by season.

What makes this volume especially compelling is not just its scope, but the credibility of its authors, whose work at Kew Gardens adds weight to the advice offered. Their writing reflects the gardening ideals of the early 20th century, a time when self-sufficiency and landscape beauty were held in equal regard. The tone is instructive but warm—encouraging patience, observation, and a respectful connection with the land.

Lavishly illustrated with sixteen colour plates (collated, complete) and numerous black-and-white vignettes throughout, this is both a practical manual and a piece of horticultural history.

Features:
– Covers traditional British gardening methods in detail
– Sixteen colour plates and many black-and-white illustrations
– Original publisher’s dark green cloth binding
– Bright gilt title on spine
– Uncommon in this condition and edition

Condition:
Very good overall. Clean and tightly bound, with minimal wear. The cloth boards retain their rich tone and the gilt spine lettering remains bright.

A substantial and elegant volume, ideal for collectors of vintage horticultural works or anyone who enjoys gardening books with depth, charm, and historical relevance.

~See all of the pictures posted in the Gallery Area of this posting!~

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~ Price posted is in (CAD) Canadian Dollars ~