Sara Bendrick has put together one of the most informative, friendly, and deep-dive landscape project books I have seen. Not to be horribly cliche, but Sara covers so many branches of landscape know-how that there really is something for everyone in this book.
But first a treetops view: In my opinion as a professional contractor and author—this is what books are for!
Unlike a fragmentary blog or video by taking time with Big Impact, you also get to know Sara. As I read it I can literally hear her voice—both the DIY Network host and the inner voice of the author—in her writing. Her passion is neatly planted in easy-to-digest comments and observations about projects. It shows she’s been there and knows her stuff, if that matters to you.
And if you’re not careful, Sara Bendrick might teach you about some awesome stuff for beautifying your yard and your life or—and I love this—adding resale value to your home. All without you really knowing it because the book, like her, is fun and personable.
Want a water feature (who doesn’t?) Big Impact is quick to point out they need maintenance (good to know) then teaches you in great, but not overwhelming, detail how to build one.
Big Impact also goes deep for the real landscape DIYer who wants dirty boots and tools that get used and features that last in the yard. Sara Bendrick is one of the few people who can dish on which type of stainless steel is best for grills (and why) and then a few pages later tell you if your mortar mix has dried too much while still touching on lighting and design without skipping a beat.
You get what you pay for in Big Impact Landscaping by Sara Bendrick. She takes you from basic back yard spruce-ups to building a creek bed! Somewhere between inspiration book and text book—there are 13 chapters with everything from building a pergola to understanding plants and soil—you can flip the pages for inspiration or sink deep roots into some awesome landscape know-how.
Buy Big Impact Landscaping by Sara Bendrick here.
With all the doggone snow we have had lately I am stuck indoors, fortunately there is the internet, thanks for giving me something to do.