By Barbara Damrosch, published by Workman Publishing, $18.95

HCP focuses on natural lawn care, but some of us have more garden than lawn. This second edition of the Garden Primer is 100% organic in its recommendations and is a great reference guide, covering vegetables, annuals, perennials, groundcovers, wildflowers, trees and shrubs, and houseplants. She asks us to think about how much lawn we need and what kind we want in very witty, practical terms. Her fun, chatty writing style makes you feel like you are gaining some gardening perspective from a beloved neighbor.