The Rookie Gardener

The go-to guide for would-be gardeners with NFI.

Passionate horticulturist Chloe Foster is on a mission to help novice plant parents nail the absolute basics of gardening. Straight talking, information packed, irreverent, inspirational and fun, The Rookie Gardener will enable your joyful transition from horticultural zero to green-thumbed hero.


For readers with absolutely no floriferous idea, the book begins by explaining what a plant actually is. Chapters are set out in the order that you would do things in the garden - because a thorough grounding in the what, why and how of your bit of soil is the first and most important step towards imagining and creating something that perfectly suits you and your needs. To round out your rookie understanding, there are step-by-step projects, horticultural tidbits, suggestions for rabbit-hole reading, checklists, garden hacks and special features (with the generous inclusion of how to grow succulents, the author's most hated plant). As Chloe gently guides you through making your garden, and living in it, she provides insights into growing your own food, creating habitat, treading lightly on the earth (dig out that weed, don't spray it!), and gardening in size-challenged spaces - even if that's just a bookshelf in your lounge room.

An illustrated plant directory, giving recommendations for particular spots and styles, makes choosing the right plant for the right place a cinch - the perfect way to send you off on your solo gardening expedition, loaded with all the knowledge, skills and confidence you need.

About the Author

Chloe Foster began her horticultural career working in wholesale and retail nurseries, before moving into high-profile horticultural positions with Melbourne Zoo and Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, specialising in the cultivation of hard-to-grow species. A garden designer and consultant, she also teaches Horticulture at Melbourne Polytechnic.