Beginner Gardening: Whats the secret? How to grow full beautiful plants?, 0 by rednyr

rednyr wrote:
Fliss -

Both your local library and county extensions will be a HUGE help to you to garner some good local info on what grows best in your area...there are numerous good books out there for beginners and I know books a million had several beginner books for just 5 bucks last week when I went in...(of course thats in SC but I bet most are getting rid of last years stock) A few books that help with basic info are:

Black and Decker Outdoors: Landscape Trees and Shrubs - This book has everything from common pests and what to do about them to fertilizing, growth rates and pruning. A good starter book that is an easy no nonsense read (

Practical Gardening By Deena Beverley: This will teach all about what tools are used for what, how to compost, how to dig properly, how to chose a site, downdrafts by walls and all sorts of cool info - also has pruning techniques and how to take cuttings (which is a super cost effective way to increase your garden)

I also found Orthos Successful Perennial Gardening to be a good quick ref. book on over 200 per. and their care...this really helps you to decide what you like, where to plant it, what other plants it looks good with, what their soil requirements are, bloom times etc....

I hope the above info helps...theres so much to learn that the only way to start is to jump on in...and take it one step at a time...I am by no means an expert...I am a putterer turned plantaholic who is still learning to stop buying something just cause it catches my eye and really focus on the bigger picture...I believe that is going to be a lifelong struggle for me LOL!! The below pic is a quick before n after of my first try at a bed( I had planted roses the previous summer in an upside down U shape and the rest was pretty barren but I was reading during that time trying to learn and figure out what I wanted) - the view is taken from two different angles of the same spot...and what Ecrane says is so true! by the third year you are just amazed at how everything just fills out

Oh and one last thought...for what you pay a landscape company to take 'care' of your lawn/plants for you - you could invest in a garden class and save money in the process for all the new plants you want!

Deanna