The Patio Garden

Evans, gardening editor of Good Housekeeping, delivers clear and stimulating directions on designing, constructing, painting and furnishing what she calls an ""outdoor room.'' She maintains that there are myriad possibilities for such rooms, whether the gardener lives in a city apartment, in the suburbs or in the country. The author offers ideas for beautifying a small terrace or rooftop in town, for larger areas that could include pools, different levels, etc. Each section focuses on a specific subject: the initial ``spade work''building the patio as plannedthen planting chosen trees, flowers, vegetables; selecting furniture and ornamental staturary; and caring for the al fresco living room in general. (February)