Christopher Lloyd was the grand old man of British gardening and gardening writers. From 1989 until 2006 - when he died aged 84 - he produced his Guardian column from his beloved house and garden, Great Dixter in East Sussex. His knowledge as a plantsman was prodigious, yet he wrote in an easy, direct and vigorous manner, advising, entertaining and cajoling his readers as he guided them through the gardening year. In January, he recommended the purchase of a notebook with a weatherproof cover since 'the dead season is just the moment for the fun of catalogue browsing'. Nothing was too small for his sharply observant eye: 'Paving cracks colonised with little plants add a touch of magic to the garden. Once you start experimenting, you'll get carried along. Just see.'

Preparing the ground, planting for summer scent, choosing a shrub for all-year round pleasure, pruning, going organic, cottage gardens, placing a favourite hellebore, thinking about conifers or growing your own veg - all fell within his purview. And, in everything he wrote, he transmitted his huge appetite and enthusiasm for the pleasure that a garden brings.

With a preface by gardener and gardening writer Beth Chatto and an introduction by "Times" columnist Stephen Anderton, this collects the "Guardian" columns of Christopher Lloyd. Arranged so as to take the reader through the year, from January to December, this selection of journalism written between 1989 and 2006 covers everything from growing your own veg to planting for summer scent and all written in Lloyd's unique but easy style. Trade paperback.

A book on gardening. It is written by the author who took interest in preparing the ground, planting for summer scent, choosing a shrub for all-year round pleasure, pruning, going organic, cottage gardens, placing a favourite hellebore, thinking about conifers or growing your own veg.