Aimed at the novice gardener, this encyclopaedia is a revised version of two books - "The First Time Garden" and "First Time Planting" - which were previously published separately. It includes advice on topics such as planning, soil preparation, hard landscaping, lawns, and specific features such as scree and rock gardens. It also contains information on choosing and buying plants, planting methods, soil types, plants suitable for particular areas of a garden, and growing fruit and vegetables in small spaces.