आदर्श घरबाग

Book Cover

Title- 'Adarsha Gharbaug'- Marathi publication
Author- Dr Madhav Nagre
Publication- Continental Publication
Pages 260         Chapter 44
Available at- I bought it from a stall at the annual show of the garden dept of MCGM held at Rani Baug, Byculla. I think it could be available on order from bookshops dealing in Marathi language publications.

Gardening is not just a matter of planting, sowing or watering- I realised this when I started my small window sill garden. But all gardening books seemed to be about foreign plants and foreign methods- citing foreign tools and fertilisers. I had read a book called 'Parasbaug' in Marathi, but not found it sufficiently informative.


'Adarsh Gharbaag' is a Marathi book written by Gardening and Horticulture expert Dr Madhav Nangre. is THE perfect book for me. For nerdy gardeners like me, who want to know everything about gardening- in Indian conditions- this book has it all. From definition of gardening to expert topics like bonsai- Dr Nangre has covered it all. Written in a conversational language, reading it feels as if someone is taking us around the garden and explaining patiently. He is also not shy of addressing controversies and myths- eg- about bonsai being a form of abuse of plants.

There are a few mistakes in printing and label of pictures- eg kardai plant is shown as palak plant. The publisher needs to look into proof reading by another expert in gardening rather than just a language expert. This book will find a very wide readership if translated into Hindi and English. Dr Nangre has provided an excellent list of references at the end, thus encouraging further journey into learning about gardening.

A simple, readable book with excellent editing to retain only relevant facts but elaborate enough to cover all necessary topics in sufficient detail. Highly recommended for all gardeners. Since most of India has an extreme climate like Pune, where the author lives (and probably has written this book based on his experiences there), the book will be helpful for gardeners across India.

For benefit of Parlekars- Dr Nangre has described the correct way to do balcony gardening, terrariums, hanging pots, orchids, dish gardening,bonsai- all completely do-able here!