Books in this “Reading in the Garden”  issue have been reviewed by Maggie Farrell, Librarian for the Charlotte Council of Garden Clubs, Inc. These books are all available new or used on Amazon. Your local bookstore may be able to order them. House Plant Expert is also available from National Garden Clubs since it is required reading for Flower Show School.

No Green Thumb Required! Organic Family Gardening Made Easy By Don Rosenberg

This self-published manual shows how organic gardening at home can be an easy project in which all family members can participate.  In the introduction, Mr. Rosenberg states that No Green Thumb Required is a new approach to home gardening that “combines ancient methods of intensive terrace gardening to conserve space and maximize harvest, with the latest research on soils, organic fertilizers, and safe methods of insect and disease control.”  His method utilizes raised beds filled with weedless soil to eliminate many of the hassles of the conventional backyard garden.  It shares earth-saving ideals and lays out easy-to-implement principles for growing organically.  Mr. Rosenberg includes information on how and where to set up your raised beds for the best results, what and when to plant (“FRESNO”), how to care for your garden through the year, and getting your whole family involved.  It is a practical manual even an inexperienced gardener can understand and appreciate.

This book will take you through the steps of how you and your family can plan, install and manage your own organic garden. Start a new tradition in your family, help yourself and the kids in your life learn about nature, and start eating, safe, fresh, healthy vegetables, all year long!

Garden Birds: How to Attract Birds to Your Garden

Author: Dr. Noble Proctor

Garden Birds is an illustrated guide to making and maintaining a garden that will attract various species of birds. It opens with a bird-based approach to garden planning. The first part of the book is a gardening section that includes a general assessment of what attracts birds to gardens, how gardens can be adapted to attract a wide range of species, the environmental requirements of different bird species, and how these requirements are satisfied through fundamental factors of trees, shrubs, flowers, lawns weeds, and water.

The remainder of the book is a comprehensive directory of 100 species of garden birds. For each bird species there is a page with a painting, a range map, and a basic description including its habits, food and vegetation preferences, how to attract it, etc.

Although written in the late 1990’s, Garden Birds is an immensely informative, beautifully illustrated, comprehensive guide to transforming any garden into a haven for birds.

Published by Rodale Books, 1996

 

North Carolina Gardener’s Guide
Author: Toby Bost

This book is very helpful in the choosing, planting and care of annuals, perennials,  groundcovers, shrubs, trees, bulbs, vines, and herbs that grow well in North Carolina. The choices at a gardening center can be overwhelming, choices at a gardening center can be overwhelming, but Tony Bost’s advice can help you focus on plantings that have a good chance of success in your North Carolina garden.  He goes into great detail on the exact way to plant your selection and the maintenance of the plant.  The book contains helpful information such as how to fertilize the plant, how to water it, and how to prune it. Some of the problems that may be encountered with the plants and what kinds of pests or diseases to which the plant may be susceptible are presented. Mr. Bost has also included up to date information on new cultivars that are being developed and utilizes the excellent research currently being done at the Raulston
Arboretum in Raleigh.  This book could be considered a “must” for anyone interested in gardening in North Carolina.

Published by Cool Springs Press, 1997

 

The House Plant Expert
Author: Dr. D. G. Hessayon

The House Plant Expert is one of the required reading books for NGC Flower Show School. It is a good quick reference for those houseplants usually found in our homes. Dr. Hessayon starts out with “The Ten Golden Rules” for houseplants that, if followed, should keep all your plants healthy and happy. Chapters include keeping plants in the home, displaying indoor plants, general plant care, propagation, plant troubles, and houseplant classification. The part of the book that I find most helpful is “House Plants A-Z” where illustrations and descriptions of hundreds of house plants can be found by botanical name. Don’t fret – there is an index of common plant names at the end of the book to assist in finding your plant!

The part of the book I find most helpful is “House Plants A-Z.”  Each listing gives a picture, general description, various types available, secrets to success (conditions the plant likes), and special problems that may be common for that plant. The dictionary near the end of the book is a good place to look up terms with which you may not be familiar.

All in all, this book is a good first place to look for a new and different plant for your house, to be sure you are taking the best care of your current plants, or when one of your plants is a little under the weather.

Published by Pan Britannia Publishing, 1992

 

Tough Plants for Southern Gardeners
Author: Felder Rushing

“Tough Plants for Southern Gardens” is a book for Southern gardeners who want low care, no care, tried and true plants they can put into their garden and forget. It contains 120 of the toughest plants for our area including annuals, perennials, porch plants, grasses, bulbs, shrubs, vines, and small trees. These plants are noted for their ability to thrive with minimal care. Each plant includes information about its flowering characteristics, the plant’s use in the landscape, interesting varieties, soil preference, propagation, and tips specific to that particular plant. Many of these selections can withstand drought, poor soil, and minimal (or no) pruning, while providing beauty and charm in the home landscape.

The book is divided into sections by type of plant. Details are given for each plant on how to plant it, how to care for it, where to put it, and what to expect from it over time. Each has a picture, usually detailed enough to allow you to identify the plant at a nursery. Additionally, sections begin with short lists of plants that are “Great for beginners” (extremely easy to deal with) or “Kinda tricky.” Random advice, like how to successfully plant wildflowers in your lawn, is scattered throughout.

With his usual writing style, Felder Rushing has made this a terrific compilation of facts, lists, advice, pictures, and humor. This is a great book for anyone looking for a vast selection of plants that are nearly unkillable.

Published by Thomas Nelson, 2003