Are you a ‘20-Minute Gardener’? Sunset targets the time-starved

Kathleen Brenzel, editor of Sunset’s latest book, “The 20-Minute Gardener,” understands the time-strapped reader’s dilemma. “You just want [your garden] to look its best, with a minimum of work on your part,” she writes in her introduction. She understands you’re busy “juggling career, family and community obligations.”

And so she promises a solution: “We show you how to keep your garden looking good in as little as 20 minutes a day.”

Chockablock with ideas and projects, decorative tips and well-styled photographs, many culled from the pages of Sunset magazine, the book ($24.95) unfortunately doesn’t teach readers much about how to get the most out of their precious 20 minutes in the garden.

But if you’ve fallen for the title, don’t despair. There are good suggestions for decorating your space for entertaining as well as practical advice for creating paths, patios and compost heaps. Projects in the first half of the book include building a stream bed and reclaiming unused spaces. The second half of the book is a handy listing of easy-care plants with clear photographs of each recommendation, a breakdown of climate zones and regional gardening calendars.

How they came up with the title, I don’t know. Nevertheless, Sunset fans will find something in the book to keep them busy — for 20 minutes or a bit longer.

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