Gardening 101

by Martha Stewart

The subtitle is "Learn how to plan, plant, and maintain a garden." This title pretty much tells it all. The chapters include Starting from Scratch, Edibles and Gardening Strategies. The details and instruction are well done, with plenty of how-to photos. Explained are the many aspects of gardening, starting with basic considerations such as soil and location. Information about almost anything you want to know including a section titled Animal invaders, a Mulch glossary, and one on What soil amendments do. The illustrated lessons will help the novice gardener in growing vegetables, flowers, trees and shrubs. ItÕs amazing how much is packed into 144 pages. Wonderful photographs. This makes a nice coffeetable book.

Tough Plants for Tough Places

by Peter Loewer

Do you have a place in your garden where you have problem growing things? If so, this book may give you good ideas. Author Loewer noticed the flowers blooming along the road when he was on a trip - flowers that seemed to be doing quite well even with little rainfall. Here was an idea for a book! He originally lived on 33 acres in upper New York and later moved to a one acre place in North Carolina. Although they may sound like different gardening zones, there were times of the year when both places were the same.

He presents plans and diagrams for 25 different gardens and then goes on to describe them all. At first glance he seems to have several that might be described as "vigorous growers" (invasive perhaps?). He manages to cover the invasive problem as well. Appendix A has sources for plants and Appendix B sources for seeds. There is a climate map at the end of the book. Check and see if it matches up with other maps of zones you are in.

Note:

While the Detroit Garden Center Library is getting back up and running, don't forget that we also have copies of magazines and catalogs which may be of help in your garden reading and planning. Garden Design is one publication donated to our library each month and has received an award from the Garden Writers Association of America for its design and content.

Give us a call to learn if there's something you might be looking for.

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