‘Why Grow That When You Can Grow This?’ by Andrew Keys

‘Why Grow That When You Can Grow This? 255 Extraordinary Alternatives to Everyday Problem Plants‘ by Andrew Keys covers all the basics in the first thirty-three pages and then turns to specific alternatives for problem flora.

Andrew compares the flora we grow or attempt to grow in our yards to our classmates in high school. There are the prom queens and the all-star athletes who everyone admires and thinks will do so well, but many times a few years later haven’t met the mark of everyone’s expectations. Then there are the geeks and nerds that few are drawn to who turn out to become the stable, upright, hard-working backbone of society. I found his analogies fresh and lighthearted, yet informative.

In the “this” and not “that” part of the book, it was much more like a manual. He normally would show a problem grower, then give two to four alternative ones to try instead.

Overall I liked the book. It has a great deal of useful information in it and I’d like to eventually get a copy of it. If you have problem growers in your yard and would like some suggestions about what might be a good alternative, this book could be an interesting first step.

Purposes of Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a temporary digital copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion of it in a review on my blog. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”