`Deckscaping’
A deck that’s cluttered or bare serves as little more than a barrier between house and yard. A deck that’s well-planned and appealing invites you to stay a while. Barbara W. Ellis aims to help people achieve the latter with “Deckscaping: Gardening and Landscaping On and Around Your Deck” (Storey Books; $19.95 paperback). The book addresses deck design, but it goes beyond that to give readers guidance on adorning a deck and area around it.
Organic lawns
Some people would rather skip the chemicals and tend their lawns with organic methods and materials. “Lawns,” part of the Rodale Organic Gardening Basics series ($14.95, 800-848-4735) can help you make the switch. The book helps homeowners assess the condition of their soil and turf, make improvements such as amending the soil or aerating the lawn, and embark on a lawn-care program without the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides.
