What Garden Book are you reading?

Currently, I'm reading: Dirt Cheap Gardening: Hundreds ofWays to Save Money in Your Garden by Rhonda Massingham Hart.

Finished reading: Backyard composing, don't remember the author.

Linda

Starting on two more library books:

Growing plants from seed by John Kelly
Easy Plant Propagation by Nancy J. Ondra

Purchased "The New Seed-Starters Handbook" by Nancy Bubel

Linda

The Garden in Autumn "Allen Lacey"
And of course the RHS encyclopedia of Garden plants but I would call it reading. I just browse it sometimes to see if anything strikes my fancy and triggers that automatic google search mechanism :)

I am getting ready to start reading "From the Ground Up" by Amy Stewart. I read it the first weekend in April, this will be my 4th year. It became a tradition when one of my nephews gave it to me for my birthday.

Crockets Victory Garden. Our zones are the same, or close to it. So, when he says plant spinich, turnips, peas and onions, I do it. (And did)

I also use From Seed to Bloom, and the Garden in Autumn when I need ordering ideas for fall bloomers.

My newest book is Invasive Plants of the Upper Midwest.

I forgot I've gotten part way thru The Garden Color Book by Paul Williams.

This message was edited Mar 30, 2006 3:18 PM

I went to the library yesterday and got several gardening books. The one I started first is "The Illustrated Gertrude Jekyll Colour Schemes for the Flower Garden".

How do you like "The Illustrated Gertrude Jekyll Colour Schemes for the Flower Garden" book? Does it talked about the color themes, coordinations, etc?

Linda

Yes it did talk about color themes etc. The problem I had with it was no color photos. I had some problem visualizing what she was talking about. I twas fun to read though.

I'm reading "The Gardener Obsessed" by Geoffy Charlesworth. He's a rock gardener and its a collection of
essays but its very entertaining as well as informative.

Tam

I am reading Native Florida Plants and Waterwise. The second one is published by one of the water management agencies down here.

I am trying to garden using drought resistant and low maintenance plants. Both of this books have become my constant resource.

Molly

I bought the Better Homes and Gardens NEW GARDEN BOOK. It is full of info and pics. I really like it but between the computer and working in the garden I haven't read very much of it. It is a very thick book.
Teresa

That's my biggest issue! I get about 6-10 horticulture magazines/journals and a weekly news magazine
plus a daily newspaper. That on top of my DG addiction & my paying job, I have little time to read books.
I'm switching between Freakonomics, an economists assessment of very ununusual topics and A Gardener
Obsessed.

And of course all that time spent outside actually applying my horticultural skills is taking both most of my
spare time & my spare energy. (Anyone else work all day, hardly noticing time & muscles only to come in
when it gets dark and realize every muscle in the body screaming & all sorts of scratches & rashes on the
exposed skin?)

Tam

Yes Tam, and with every good intention of putting on the specs and catching up on that reading, and 1-2 paragraphs in, all fades to dark...........................................

Molly
:^)))

Exactly!!!

I love finding all you kindred spirits here on DG.
Tam

I am just starting Landscaping With Roses by Jeff Cox, and I just finished Bountiful Containers and The Ultimate Container Gardener. This is the first time I have tried some vegetables and herbs in containers. So far, so good.

Flower Gardens by Penelope Hobhouse. I found this when I was browsing in a small new-and-used bookstore, hoping to find a great garden book -- and it's even signed! It's full of excellent advice and beautiful photos.

On Friday I bought Fine Gardening's special issue on container plants, and I keep looking at it over and over again; it's full of great ideas. Also, I just got my May issue of Gardener's World magazine in the mail yesterday, but have been "saving" it as a reward for finishing this week's laundry. :-)

Bread from Stones by Julius Hensel which is about soil fertility, mainly minerals and micronutrients from rock powders.
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/585847/

The No Work Garden by Bob Flowerdew- (wishful thinking!), Four-Season Harvest by Eliot Coleman - I'm making a note to remind myself to start some hardy salad plants in late summer to keep cropping during the winter and early spring. I usually remember when it's too late for them to reach a good size before the frosts. Another book I'm dipping into is Oriental vegetables by Joy Larcome. I'm also reading the latest edition of Organic Gardening magazine it's full of useful information and is a really good read.

I just finished two books about gardening that were very good...'The 64$ Tomato' by William Alexander and 'Blithe Tomato' by Mike Madison. Even though the titles suggest that it's about only tomatoes, they're about far more.
The first is a funny look at a backyard garden getting bombarded by bugs, gophers,neighbors,ect.
The second is [ to me] a very profound look at the world through the eyes of a decent, hardworking man.
Got these both at the library, might have to end up buying these!

Two books? I'm still reading The Gardener Obsessed. "Blithe Tomato" sounds interesting.
I'll have to look for it.
Tam

I have been re-reading my favorite old garden book (1967) by Elda Haring. I started out with it and I believe it is my favorite: THE COMPLETE BOOK OF GROWING PLANTS FROM SEED. This book talks about indoor lights, green houses, sowing outside, etc. The best thing about it is that she is very direct and simple. She says, don't bother chilling delphenium seeds, She says they will germinate anywhere between 60 and 80 degrees if kept constantly moist, and she's right. She gave me courage in my first years of gardening to grow the old standbys and toughies like Pink Perfection Lilies and Japanese iris. After using her book as a guide, nothing seemed impossible.

I just replaced my old book with an edition in much better shape. It truly is a classic!

I need to read a good book about growing from seed. Would you be will to trade or sell it?

I had a cold frame but didn't have a very good % germination rate.

I have most all of Jerry Baker's gardening books and I am once again refreshing myself with "Old Time Gardening Wisdom". I love his Grandma Putt's recipes, tips, etc. She reminds so much of my Grandma.

Nana3

reading who has time for reading --its spring and im so busy my head is spinning!
up at 6am get the boys off to school and then im out the door to garden and lawn care here!!!! I come in by dark take a shower and snooooooooooze! no reading here cept what i do here online!!!

I just got a new book! Just what I need (rofl) to add more to my personal library!

All New Square Foot Gardening: Grow More in Less Space!
by Mel Bartholomew



What are you reading?


Linda :)

Okay....all you book lovers! Time to let others know whether your garden book is worth two (green) thumbs "up" or should be tossed on the compost heap! Please add your reviews to the Bookworm: http://davesgarden.com/gbw/

I think you'll find most of these books listed. In fact, here's the Dirt Cheap book - and no reviews (yet!): http://davesgarden.com/gbw/c/1113/

If yours isn't in there yet, feel free to add it or let us know and we'll add it for you!

Terry, I'll post there, but I'd like to add here anything by Louise Riotte (companion planting). Also, for southern gardeners, "Herbs for Texas" by Howard Garrett has become a bible for me.

Also, tangential to gardening, I just got "Making Bentwood Arbors..." by I can't remember the author (I think his last name is Long but don't put money on it) and built this yesterday:

Ok. Please don't laugh--well, go ahead if you must, but I was returning a video @ the library & noticed the "Dummies Book" display. I checked out "Gardening for Dummies" and "Landscaping for Dummies". I almost checked out "Weeding for Dummies", but it ended up being "Weddings for Dummies". Didn't have my glasses on. LOL

I'm waiting for 3 books that I purchased through Amazon to be delivered in the mail: Lasagna Gardening by Patricia Lanza, Dog Friendly Gardens, Garden Friendly Dogs by Cheryl S. Smith, and Weedless Gardening by Lee Reich. I hope they arrive soon!

Nana3, I also enjoy Jerry Baker's books. At the public library book sale, I bought 2 of Jerry's early books for a dime a piece.

creadman, please do review Mel's new book when you're finished. I've been square ft gardening since reading his 1st book which is worn from use.

notmartha, I read on the bus commuting back & forth to work. Otherwise, I know what you mean!

Terry, I know that I need to get busy posting my book reviews, and I also need to file my tax return. Taxes first, of course. : )

Also, my daffodils are in bloom and Nanking cherry bushes. Got up to 81 degrees today. Welcome Spring!

Taxes? You have until 4/15 to do those!!!! (hehehehehe)

... southern plant books here. I am reading Perennial Gardens for Texas ~ Julie Ryan. Southern Herb Growing by Hill & Barclay, and of course my favorite which I dig out and read on a regular basis Passalong Plants by Bender and Rushing.

Brigidlily has me convinced that I need to add Herbs for Texas ~ Garrett but where oh where will it fit on the book shelf.

Podster, have you ever met a gardening book you didn't like? http://davesgarden.com/gbw/vcbm/podster/

(GREAT job on the reviews, by the way - we thank you, and so do countless others who peruse the Bookworm when they're in the book-buying mood ;o)

Gardening books is almost as much of an addiction as plants. It could be worse!

Besides ~ if I didn't like it, why would I buy it? : ))

podster -- you won't want to put it on the shelf! Just keep it on the coffeetable!

Terry ~ Those reviews are only about 1/4 of the plant book collection. Many are older and as they are not available, I was hesitant about posting.

I am envious of those that use the library. My spare time is too erratic to check out books and get them read before the time is up. I also use them for reference and like to have them accessible. If I can acquire them used ( read cheap) I will. If there is a recommendation, I will go in search of it. Thanx Brigidlily... : ))

Creadman ~ this thread is great fun, thank you. The problem is if any of us are asked a week from now, it will bring a totally different set of answers... pod

podster, I live next door to the library, so I don't have to go very far! Very convenient. : )

podster, I am very sympathetic to your plight. Our library is across town, and traffic is a real bear, so I don't go unless I have a compelling reason.

DD and I were regular patrons of the library for a long time. We had a pretty good routine of going every two weeks, and I would make sure our trips coincided with soccer practice and/or other errands in the area.

A year or so ago, they raised the per-day late charges and removed the $1 maximimum fine (per book) that had been in place forever. We were a couple weeks late returning about 15 books, and the fine was a staggering $80. That's when I decided it was better to buy books (used) than to risk getting hit with those sorts of late fees again, so we haven't been back. (I know, shame on me for returning them late...but yikes I still support the library through my taxes, but I'm hard-pressed to patronize them, which is really sad - they have wonderful selection of gardening books.)

Okay, enough grousing about the library system - back to books. And the bookworm reviews ;o)

greenbrain ~ that IS convenient, your reference shelf is always handy... Aren't we blessed to enjoy reading! pod

Terry ~ our little library has disposed of soooo many books over the years. I don't understand it ~ good reading literature never goes out of style and the books were in good condition.
I try to find out when they have their book sales, paperbacks are ten cents and hardbacks a quarter. What a shame for their patrons but good for the buyers.

Patbarr, I read the No Work Garden and it seem like there was more work involved than the title suggests


I love the books by Rosalind Creasy! Ones like "The Edible Flower Garden" and others in the Edible Garden Series.

I have been reading essays and books about the pleasures of gardening, instead of "how to garden" books.

Mobi, have you read any of Elizabeth Lawrence's books? I'm partial to her because she was a southern gardener/writer, but her books are fun to read - Little Bulbs is definitely "up there" among my favorites of hers: http://davesgarden.com/gbw/advanced.php?submit=Search&author=Elizabeth+Lawrence