Reviews (2)

Best Texas vege gardening book!
This book has been indispensable to me!!! This book, along with The Vegetable Gardener's Bible, have been my "text books" in starting a garden. Without them, I wouldn't have such a great garden. These books take the guess work out of what to do. Thanks Mr. Garrett and Mr Beck!!!

Great Book On Organic Gardening
Howard covers the essentials of Basic Organic Gardening as well as the how to's. I bought the book at Rohde's for about the same price before shipping.If you can't get to Garland; but it here.We just completed our20'x20' raised bed garden.Our front yard is the lushest greenest yard inthe neighborhood with NO CHEMICALS.We have been a fan of Howard for a fewyears now.Read more

Subjects:  1. Fruit-culture    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Herb gardening    6. Organic    7. Organic gardening    8. Regional - General    9. Techniques    10. Texas    11. Vegetable gardening    12. Vegetables    13. Fruit & vegetables    14. Gardening / Organic   

Reviews (9)

An Enchanting Read
I gave away my first copy of this book and have started buying more copies to give away as gifts. It is an intriguing introduction to organic gardening and housekeeping. The author's creativity and sense of humor make it a fun book to refer to over and over again. Loved it!

It has some good tips
The book did have some useful tips.I felt that she used some scare tactics in order to get her point across about doing things more naturally.She mentioned her sources but I kept wondering if some of the things she mentioned were a one time thing or if they were really potentially harmful (ie: chemicals and such).Like I mentioned, the book does have some useful tips and I learned a couple of things that I didn't already know.

Man's Best Friend
What great aid and funny read for those of us guys who don't have lots ofexperience or love of household duties.(I was drafted, so I won't commenton everyone else's excuse.) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Agricultural pests    2. Cleaning & Caretaking - General    3. Cleaning & Caretaking - Household Hints    4. Control    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Garden pests    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Household pests    10. Organic    11. Pest control    12. Reference    13. Gardening / Organic   

Subjects:  1. Gardening / Horticulture    2. Organic    3. Reference    4. Gardening    5. Reference works   

Reviews (1)

A must for any organic gardener
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (7/06)
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Subjects:  1. Container    2. Gardening    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Organic    5. Regional - Southwest (AZ, NM, OK, TX)   

Reviews (24)

very good
I haven't spent much time looking at the recipes & I'll admit I skipped a few boring(in my eyes) paragraphs here & there.
Not so much about organic gardening
I have really enjoyed this book and felt a kindred relationship with the author.I too have gutted a house and had a garden in full swing at the same time.I loved the recipes that went along with her stories of vegetables and fruits and enjoyed the passages about her homes.
would not want her as a neighbor
While the subject matter was good, the writing style was lacking.Plus, I don't think she applies the same level of high-mindedness to herself as she does to other people.She seems to like to cut down trees but then complains later about flooding from upgradient homeowners that have cut down their trees.Also, she drowns possums.She complains that she raises her food to live on and she can't spare any to varmints.I'm not sure what she thinks the possum was eating the food for.I suspect to live on.And some of her arguments don't hold water.Like the vegetarian argument mentioned earlier.THis book could have used better editing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. General    5. Organic   

Reviews (1)

A bit scant on any new ideas
Ross Mars does approach the subject from an assumption of complete ignorence from his readers, so he doesn't write over anyone's head- which is good, but it really seems a bit redundant to write yet anotherintroduction to permaculture. not a bad book, but you might as well spendyour money on something a little less superficial. (ie. Mollison's books;even Rosemary Morrow is a bit more thorough) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - Sustainable Agriculture    2. Climatic - Temperate    3. Garden Design    4. Gardening    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Organic    7. Techniques    8. Technology & Industrial Arts   

Subjects:  1. Gardening / Horticulture    2. Organic    3. Gardening / Organic   

Reviews (5)

Question?
Why am I reviewing this? I ordered it but was told it was not available!

If I could give this 6 stars, I would!
This is the best gardening book I've ever read, and I highly recommend it. Matter of fact, I always keep two copies in case I lend it and don't get it back!
A Terrific, Highy Useful Book!!
1001 Old Time Garden TipsRead more

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. General    5. Organic    6. Techniques    7. Organic gardening   

Reviews (1)

Top Notch!!
I am a beginning gardener who wants to learn to garden without chemicals or pesticides. After using this book for one season, I can't recommend it enough. It is easy to use and full of information that has kept our gardens healthy and beautiful. It has answered all of my questions and kept me excited about trying new things in the next season. Well written, well illustrated, and a great index. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Organic    5. Organic gardening    6. Gardening / Organic   

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. General    5. Home Gardening    6. Organic    7. Techniques    8. Gardening / General   

Reviews (1)

TERRIFIC book on perennial gardening!
I have found this to be the most helpful gardening book ever. Lots of great illustrations! It is highly informative, and the information is presented so clearly, including breakdowns like lists of "plants for moist soil," "most fragrant plants," etc.Along with all the carefully presented descriptions of landscape gardening in general, the book includes detailed descriptions and photos of many individual perennials and what they can accompany in your garden. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Flowers - Perennials    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Landscape gardening    5. Organic gardening    6. Perennials    7. Gardening / Flowers / Perennials   

Reviews (2)

All the basics
It was the book I was looking for. Contains a significant amount of helpful information. In particular, the information on which items complement eachother in the growing cycle. I would definately recommend it for the home gardener.

Not Cold Climate Gardening
Zone 5 is not cold climate gardening! Book is a waste for those who truly live in cold climates. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Climatic - Temperate    2. Cold Regions Agriculture    3. Gardening    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Organic Gardening    7. Regional - General    8. Snowbelt States    9. Vegetables    10. Gardening / Regional    11. Gardening: plants    12. Specialized gardening methods   

Reviews (4)

All About Annuals
Some gardeners tend to look down their nose at annuals. I've seen T-shirts with the saying "Friends don't let friends buy annuals". Planting annuals sometimes seems like owning a mongrel dog on a street where all the other dogs have pedigrees. Well, I have a mongrel dog and I plant annuals, so I was happy to see Larry Hodgson's detailed and careful book "Annuals for Every Purpose". A Must Have for a New Gardener
As a novice gardener, I have found this book to be an invaluable resource.When I'm not studying it at home and planning my next flower bed, it is in my tote bag going to the local nurseries with me.When I find a flower I like, I look it up to get more details and find recommended companion plants. ANNUALS FOR EVERY PURPOSE
WHILE I LOVED HODGSON'S PERENNIALS FOR EVERY PURPOSE, I FIND THE ANNUALS FOR EVERY PURPOSE BOOK A LITTLE LESS HELPFUL, BUT WOULD STILL RATE IT A 3.5-4.THERE ARE LOTS OF PICTURES OF THE ANNUALS, BUT MOST OF THEM ARE CLOSE UPS...SOME OF THE CLOSE UP PICTURES YOU LOOK AT AND SAY "WHILE I KNOW THAT IS THE CORRECT ANNUAL, IT REALLY DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THAT FROM A DISTANCE OR IN THE GARDEN".HOWEVER, THE SECTIONS FOR EACH ANNUAL ENTITLED "PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS" "GOOD NEIGHBORS" AND "TOP PERFORMER" ARE STILL HELPFUL....HOWEVER, I AM STILL LOOKING FOR A BETTER ANNUAL BOOK... LANSING, ILLINOIS ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Annuals (Plants)    2. Flowering Plants (Angiospermae)    3. Flowers - Annuals    4. Flowers - Perennials    5. Gardening    6. Gardening / Horticulture    7. Gardening/Plants    8. Home Gardening    9. Landscape    10. Flowers    11. Gardening / Organic   

Reviews (2)

The perfect instructional reference for the novice gardener in a colder climate
In this newly revised and expanded edition of Organic Gardening In Cold Climates, gardening expert Sandra Perrin draws upon her more than thirty years of experience gardening year-round in Montana to teach aspiring gardeners in the upper states of the U.S. and the provinces of Canada how to adapt to cold weather and early frosts when raising their garden vegetables. There are special sections devoted to "companion planting", season extenders, composting, natural pest and disease control, and "French Intensive Gardening". Every aspect of gardening in a northern climate is clearly addressed from planning the garden, to preparing the soil, to planting, to tending what has been planted, and harvesting. Enhanced with chapters devoted to fruit and vegetable seeds, growing herbs in a garden setting,, gardening and therapy, a listing of seed companies, and a bibliography of useful literature, Organic Gardening In Cold Climates is the perfect instructional reference for the novice gardener in a colder climate.
Good book and quick to get through
I'm 20 and in college and have a small (8' by 12') vegetable garden in Vermont and this book is perfect for anyone interested in doing the same sort of thing.It introduced me into many concepts I had never heard of including how to make a compost pile, companion planting, and season extenders such as hotbeds.One thing I liked was that it gave a number of ways to do each thing...it didn't demand that there was one best way to do things...it lets you choose what's best for you.The second half of the book lists a number of different varieties of each vege/herb and when/where you should plant them and how they should be cared for. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Canada    2. Climatic - Temperate    3. Gardening    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Organic    7. Organic gardening    8. Regional - General    9. Snowbelt States   

Reviews (2)

Is this about American or French vegetable gardens?
I was hoping this book would celebrate beautiful homegrown American vegetable gardens...like the kind you find by chance in a neighbor's backyard. Instead this book focused on the gardens of the rich and famous, which were mainly designed by landscape professionals, and highly influenced by the French. The pictures in this book failed to show me one vegetable garden that was truly breathtaking. Worst of all, most of the gardeners had professional assistants to maintain their gardens. This book is a waste of time and money- I absolutely hated it. Please don't waste your time or money on this book. Instead buy the House Beautiful Garden design book (on sale)...granted these gardens were also professionally designed by wealthy homeowners- they are beautiful to look at, and you can find some inspiration for your own home- plus it's much less patronizing than the Vegetable book.

A book of gardening dreams fulfilled
Beautiful American Vegetable Gardens, by Mary Tonetti Dorra takes you into a bucolic fantasy of enthralling design and impressive maintenance. These gardens were created to feed the eye as well as the stomach. It is filled with alluring photographs by Steve Elting, who captures the romance and variety of these splendid plots along with their abundant fruit. It is also filled with practical information on cultivation and design. There is no vegetable patch that wont profit from the experience, advice and sources shared by Dorra in her clear and unpretentious style The two dozen gardens range from magnificent to manageable, and cover all the geographic areas of the United States. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fruit    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Organic Gardening    5. United States    6. Vegetable Crops    7. Vegetable gardening    8. Vegetables    9. Fruit & vegetables    10. Gardening / Vegetables    11. USA   

Reviews (1)

a must for the environmentally responsible gardener
the pictures are spectularly lifelike, making pest and disease identification easy, and the solutions are do-able and effective. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biological control    2. Flowers - General    3. Garden pests    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Organic    7. Organic gardening    8. Plant diseases    9. Plants, Protection of    10. Reference    11. Gardening / Reference   

Editorial Review

Not for the faint-hearted, Read more

Reviews (2)

A true marriage of the spade and the spoon!
`The Gardner's Table' by noted baker, Joe Ortiz and agricultural academic, Richard Merrill attracted me with Ortiz' name, known from his two excellent book collaborations on baking. And, I was immediately impressed by some of the novel graphic culinary material. Closer reading showed me that the horticultural material was of an equally high quality.
Required Text for serious gardeners
Rich Merrill knows what he is writing about! His details regarding various garden crops are totally on the mark. I am an avid gardener, and I consult this book weekly to assist me in gardening decisions. The food part, with the recipes from Joe Ortiz, is absolutely thebest if you're a gardener, with a huge harvest of anything from your garden. I love this book, and and consider it a true text for anyone who really wants to succeed at gardening and at eating! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery (Vegetables)    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. General    6. Kitchen gardens    7. Organic    8. Specific Ingredients - Vegetables    9. Vegetable gardening    10. Vegetables   

Reviews (2)

Simple wise advise
Oddly enough one of the best pieces of organic food advise I have heard that this book seems to drive home is read labels as if you were reading a medication prescription, and know what is in the item you are buying, whether it is food, clothing, cars, furniture.Then stop and ask yourself if you really need the item or simply want it.Less is best and thinking as if you lived pre WW2 helps because this was an era where people grew more of their own foods, wore clothes out, repaired items rather than toss them out and buy a new item.

Great introduction to Organic living
Loved the simple approach, but best of all learned Organics is not a marketing hype, but an increasing, interested way of life for many.This motivated me to search out organics, laws, labeling, government agencies and other web sites.I have learned Americans are bombarded with unnecessary chemicals, and consumerism, and we should have a choice about what we purchase.Some states are ahead in this lifestyle than others. Unfortunately, we trust the products with the small amounts, but fail to think about its build up.I am learning.Great book, and making the transformation into organics-food, cosmetics, cleaning etc.And have saved money by living a more simple life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Diet / Health / Fitness    2. General    3. Health & Healing - General    4. Natural foods    5. Organic    6. Organic gardening    7. Organic living    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Specific Ingredients - Natural Foods   

Features

• Illustrated

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Horticultural Crops    5. Landscape Design And Planting    6. Organic    7. Techniques    8. Gardening / Organic    9. ORGANIC GARDENING   

Reviews (1)

A handy little book
This is a handly little book with lots of useful information for the beginning rose gardener.I like how it outlines the differencesbetween floribundas, grandifloras, and hybrid tea roses.It also explains how to fertilize and the types of organic fertilizers available.But the most useful chapter of the book describes how to control pests and diseases organically.It also comes with a handy little calendar.I just wish the book was a little bit longer than 98 pages. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Flowers - Roses    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Organic    6. Gardening / Organic