Allan Becker
Reviewer Allan Becker: Allan has been designing and planting flower gardens, since he was a teenager in the 1960's. Now retired from the soft goods industry, where he held several positions in design, product development, and marketing, he has turned his passion for gardening into a second career, as a garden designer for private clients in Montreal, Canada.
In spring and summer, he provides his assistants, most college students, who transform his designs into flower gardens. In winter, he reviews books on garden-related topics for Bookpleasures.com and writes a Gardening Blog.
Allan earned a B.A. from McGill University, followed by two years of studies in design at Sir George Williams University (now Concordia). He lives in the Montreal suburb of Cote St. Luc, Quebec with his wife and travels regularly to Toronto and Boston to visit his children and grandchildren.
Articles by this Author
Gardener’s Yoga. Bend & Stretch, Dig & Grow Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published April 13, 2013
- Health & Fitness , Homes & Gardens
Author: Veronica D’Orazio
Publisher: Sasquatch Books
ISBN: 1-57061-466-0
Fine Foliage: Elegant Plant Combinations for Garden and Container Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published March 18, 2013
- Homes & Gardens
ISBN: 978-0-9855622-2-9
Terrace Gardening Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published February 17, 2013
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Michele Osborne
Publisher: Aquamarine
ISBN: 13: 978- 1-908991-08-9
Powerhouse Plants, 510 Top Performers for Multi-Season Beauty Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published February 4, 2013
- Homes & Gardens
Publisher: Timber Press
ISBN-13:978-1-60469-210-5
Why Plant That When You Can Grow This? 255 Extraordinary Alternatives to Everyday Problem Plants Reviewed By Allan Becker for Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published January 6, 2013
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Andrew Keys
Publisher: Timber Press
ISBN-13:978-1-60469-286-0
The Layered Garden Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published December 10, 2012
- Homes & Gardens
Author: David L. Culp
Photographs by Rob Cardillo
Publisher: Timber Press
ISBN-13:978-1-60469-236-5
Lifelong Landscape Design Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published November 27, 2012
- Homes & Gardens
Authors: Mary Palmer Dargen
Publisher: Gibbs Smith
ISBN: 978-1-4236-2072-3
Rosemary Verey, the Life and Lessons of a Legendary Gardener Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published November 8, 2012
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Barbara Paul Robinson
Publisher: David R. Godine
ISBN: 978-1-56792-450-3
The Roots of my Obsession, Thirty Great Gardeners Reveal Why They Garden Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published October 22, 2012
- Homes & Gardens
Editor: Thomas
Cooper
Publisher:Timber Press
ISBN:-13: 978-1-60469-271-6
The Maine Garden Journal – Insider secrets from Maine people who love to put their hands in the dirt Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published September 29, 2012
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Lisa Colburn,
Publisher: Fern Leaf Publishing,
ISBN: 978-0-9847103-0-0
The 50 Mile Bouquet, Seasonal, Local and Sustainable Flowers Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published July 7, 2012
- Homes & Gardens
Authors: Debra Prinzing,
David E. Perry
Publishers: St. Lynn’s Press
ISBN: 978-0-9832726-4-9
The Northern Gardener, Perennials That Survive & Thrive Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published June 22, 2012
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Barbara Rayment,
Publisher: Harbour Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-55017-578-3
All the Garden’s a Stage, Choosing the Best Performing Plants for a Sustainable Garden Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published June 8, 2012
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Jane C. Gates
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-7643-3979
The Pattern Garden: The Essential Elements of Garden Making Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published April 27, 2012
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Valerie Easton
Publisher: Timber Press
ISBN 13:978-0-88192-780-1
Big Gardens in Small Spaces:Out-of-the-Box Advice for Boxed-in Gardeners Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published April 10, 2012
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Martyn Cox
Publisher: Timber Press
ISBN: 13: 978-0-88192-907-2
Beautiful No-Mow Yards: 50 Amazing Lawn Alternatives Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published March 30, 2012
- Homes & Gardens
Author:Evelyn J. Hadden
Publisher: Timber
Press
ISBN-13: 978-1-60469-238-9
Small-Space Container Gardens: Transform Your Balcony, Porch, or Patio with Fruit, Flowers, Foliage & Herbs Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published March 12, 2012
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Fern Richardson
Publisher; Timber Press
ISBN-13: 978-1-60469- 241-9
Perennial Companions: 100 Dazzling Plant Combinations for Every Season Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published March 5, 2012
- Homes & Gardens
Authors: Tom Fischer, Richard Bloom & Adrian Bloom
Publisher: Timber Press
ISBN -13: 978-0-88192-939-3
Decoding Gardening Advice: The Science Behind the 100 Most Common Recommendations Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published March 2, 2012
- Homes & Gardens
Authors: Jeff Gillman and Meleah Maynard
Publisher: Timber Press
ISBN: 978-1-60469-220-4
Envisioning the Garden, Line, Distance, Form, Color, and Meaning Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published February 15, 2012
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Robert Mallet
Publisher: W. W.
Norton & Co.
ISBN: 978-0-393-73342-6
Better Homes & Gardens Gardening Made Simple: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Gardening Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published February 6, 2012
- Homes & Gardens
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 978-0-470-63854-5
Monet’s Passion: Ideas Inspiration and Insight from the Painter’s Gardens Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published January 26, 2012
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Elizabeth
Murray
Publisher: Pomegranate Artbooks
ISBN: 0-87654-443-X
A Recipe for Continuous Blooms Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published January 13, 2012
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Lorraine Roberts
Publisher: Plant Paradise Country Gardens
ISBN: 978-0-9868361-0-7.PY
Landscaping Solutions for Small Spaces, 10 Smart Plans for Designing & Planting Small Gardens Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published December 17, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Ann-Marie Powell
Publisher: Creative Homeowner
ISBN-13: 978-1-58011-523-0
Timeless Landscape Design Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published December 10, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Authors: Mary Palmer Dargan, ASLA and Hugh Graham Dargan, ASLA, Gibb Smith,
ISBN: 978-1-4236-2340-3
Planting the Dry Shade Garden Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published November 23, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Graham Rice
ISBN: 978-1-60469-187-0
Publisher: Timber Press
Flowers of Volunteer Park Conservatory, Blooming Month by Month Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published November 3, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Sara L. Chapman
Publisher: Book
Publishers Network
ISBN: 13: 978-1-935359-80-7
Shady Retreats; 20 plans for colorful, private spaces in your backyard Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published October 27, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Barbara W. Ellis
Publisher: Storey Publishing
ISBN: 1- 58017-472-8
50 Beautiful Deer- Resistant Plants Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published October 17, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Ruth Rogers Clausen
Publisher: Timber Press
ISBN-13:978-1-60469-195-5
Plant Combinations for Your Landscape Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published October 4, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Tony Lord, with photographs by Andrew Lawson
Publisher: Creative Homeowners
How Carrots Won the Trojan War, Curious [but True] Stories of Common Vegetables Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published September 23, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Rebecca Rupp
Publisher: Storey Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-60342-968-9
Armitage’s Garden Perennials (Second Edition) Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published July 21, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Allan M. Armitage
Publisher: Timber Press
ISBN:0-88192-435-0
Andrew Wilson's Contemporary Color in the Landscape Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published May 17, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Andrew Wilson
Publisher: Timber Press
ISBN: 978-0-88192-996-6
James Van Sweden and Tom Christopher's The Artful Garden Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published May 2, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Authors: James Van Sweden and Tom Christopher
Publisher: Random HouseISBN: 978-1-4000-6389-5
Sara Begg & Roanne Robbins's Continuous Container Gardening Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published April 27, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Authors: Sara Begg & Roanne Robbins
Publisher: Storey
Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-60342-702-9
Bill Laws's Fifty Plants that Changed the Course of History Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published April 16, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Bill Laws
Publisher: Firefly Books
ISBN:- 13: 978-1-55407-798-4
Susan Berry & Steve Bradley's The Practical Guide to Container Gardening Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published April 1, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Authors: Susan Berry & Steve Bradley
Publisher: Storey Publishing
ISBN:-13: 978-1-58071-329-2
Dan O’Brien's Gardening - Philosophy for Everyone: Cultivating Wisdom Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published March 26, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Editor: Dan O’Brien
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
ISBN: 978-1-4443-3021-2
Neil Lucas's Designing with Grasses Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published March 22, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Neil Lucas
Publisher: Timber Press
ISBN-13: 978-0-88192-983-6
Peter Thompson's The Self Sustaining Garden, A Guide to Matrix Planting Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published March 9, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Peter Thompson
Publisher: Timber Press
ISBN: 978-088192-837-2
Lewis Hill and Penelope O’Sullivan's The Pruning Answer Book, Solutions to Every Problem You’ll Ever Face, Answers to Every Question You’ll Ever Ask Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published February 28, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Authors Lewis Hill and Penelope
O’Sullivan
Publisher: Storey Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-60342-710-4
Jodi DeLong's Plants for Atlantic Gardens Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published February 16, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
ISBN: 978-1-55109-798-5
This valuable and enjoyable reference book ought to be on the shelves of every public library in the north east where growing conditions are challenging. It is also an impressive gift to receive.
Chris Young's Best Garden Design: Practical Inspiration from the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published February 7, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Chris Young
Publisher: Firefly Books
ISBN: -13: 978-1-55407-727-4
W. Gary Smith's From Art to Landscape, Unleashing Creativity in Garden Design Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published January 23, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Author:W. Gary Smith
Publisher: Timber
Press
ISBN: 978-0-88192-973-7
Mr. Smith is an award winning landscape designer specializing in botanical gardens. He is also a talented artist. His book takes the topic of garden design to a new level by raising the bar on the discussion about the role of art in landscaping.
Vanessa Gardner Nagel's Understanding Garden Design: The Complete Handbook for Aspiring Designers Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published January 9, 2011
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Vanessa Gardner Nagel, APLD
Publisher: Timber Press
ISBN: 978 0 88192 943 0
In spite of the rise in the number of independent-minded gardeners, who cares little what others think, most people expect that their garden will not only make themselves happy but will also please their visitors.
Steve Bates' The Seeds of Spring; Lessons from the Garden Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published December 26, 2010
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Steve Bates
Published by CreateSpace
ISBN 13: 978 1453869352
In this collection of inner dialogues, Steve Bates shares the thoughts that ruminate through his mind as he gardens and toils.
Great Gardens in Small Spaces: California Havens Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published December 8, 2010
- Homes & Gardens
Authors: Melba Levick and Karen Dardick,
Publisher: Rizzoli International
Publications
ISBN: 0-8478-2538-8
It Was Fear That Made Me Do It: Comments from Allan Becker Reviewer for Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published December 1, 2010
- ESSAYS CONTRIBUTED BY VARIOUS AUTHORS
The Ultimate Flower Gardener’s Top Ten Lists Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published November 15, 2010
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Kerry Ann Mendez
Publisher: Lone Oak Press
ISBN: 978-1-935534-334
Energy-Wise Landscape Design Reviewed By Allan Becker of Bookpleasures.com
- By Allan Becker
- Published October 31, 2010
- Homes & Gardens
Author: Sue Reed
Publishers: New Society Publishers
ISBN: 978-0-86571-653-7