As all of you know, I'm not usually given to gardening basics on this site, but even I have to admit that if you're in the outdoors, not everything is design-related. Sometimes you need to know how to do basic gardening things, and without getting too involved in that entire subject, if you'd like everything you need to know all in one place, there's nothing better than the completely revised The Garden Primer: Second Edition
From shrubs and trees to lawns, bulbs, fruits,vegetables, herbs, vines, perennials, and annuals, it's all here: how to plant them, how to prune them, how to take care of them. There are also introductory sections on basic plant requirements, gear you'll need, landscape design, and how to select plants.
Damrosch writes in a breezy, easily-understandable style, and she explains everything clearly without getting caught up in the intricacies of do's and don'ts that make gardening a mystery for many people. If you're really into the subject, you may have to do some further research on specific cultivars, but Damrosch gives you a great start on everything. She's also an organic gardener and tells you how to deal with pests and diseases without using harmful pesticides.
This is one book you certainly want on your shelf for a quick reference to garden-everything.
And anyone who wants to garden pesticide-free will have to have a copy of Jeff Gillman's new book, The Truth About Organic Gardening: Benefits, Drawbacks, and the Bottom Line
After reading this book, you'll wonder why anyone with even half a brain would let non-organic anything anywhere near the garden (not to mention the gardener). However, there are a lot of so-called "organic" gardening products out there, many of which can be very harmful to insects, animals, pets, and yes, people, too.
Roundup, anyone, for weed control? According to Gillman, broad-spectrum weed killers do "an effective job" of clearing weeds, but he also says they can have "detrimental effects" on humans and the environment if they are not used properly. And he summarizes the scientific studies that will give you pause before you get out the sprayer. Gillman goes through the pros and cons of vinegar, hand-weeding, flame-throwers, and solarization -- all of which will get rid of weeds. But this is an excellent guide to what you can tolerate and what will work best for your own specific site.
Insect control? Of Japanese beetle traps, Gillman says "I'd try something else."
Hot pepper sprays? Gillman calls this an effective repellent that's "a good option" for gardeners who are willing to put up with a little insect damage in order to avoid more toxic compounds. "I like this stuff," he says.
Whatever compound you're thinking about using, you'll want to consult Gillman's book before you buy it and before you start using it in the garden.
And while you're at it, you might also want to consult Gillman's The Truth About Garden Remedies: What Works, What Doesn't, and Why
(click on images or links to purchase books through Amazon)
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