Recommend a book on gardening

**Mogura** · 08-03-2012, 12:26 PM

Everyone has their own idea of what constitutes a good gardening book. As for myself, it would have to be reasonably idiot-proof (fairly thorough on explaining the "how"), chock full of science (again, thorough on explaining the "why"), not an excrutiating bore to read, and fairly broad, yet focuses on the edibles (fruits, veggies, etc.).

Not a coffee table book, as much as something that gets the job done--in a fun sort of way.

Any suggestions?

**Silverity** · 08-03-2012, 12:55 PM

I'm not sure how science-y you'd think it is but The Practical Gardener's Encyclopedia is a good resource, very comprehensive and detailed, lots of tidbits.

**Mogura** · 08-04-2012, 12:00 AM

	Originally Posted by Silverity To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I'm not sure how science-y you'd think it is but The Practical Gardener's Encyclopedia is a good resource, very comprehensive and detailed, lots of tidbits.

Well, when it comes to learning cooking, I think the Cooks Illustrated series has the right amount of science or reasonable explanation as to why something is done a certain way. If there is a Gardeners' version of Cooks Illustrated out there, that would be awesome...

**Silverity** · 08-04-2012, 12:46 AM

I'm not familiar with CI. Have you tried just going to a bookstore to flip through? The thing about gardening.. it's pretty flexible, there is no one "right" garden. So when you say scientific I think two things: biology textbook, and some of the nitty gritty details-- types of soil, ph levels and how they affect plants, annuals, perennials, biennials-- the differences between them, light levels, humidity levels, etc. All of those are covered in the book I mentioned. What to look for when buying healthy plants and why certain signs are considered unhealthy, etc. Planting techniques, transplanting, propagation. I'm hoping that is what you mean
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There's also a great section on vegetable gardens and herb gardens, as well as how to store herbs and vegetables, when to harvest, crop rotation, etc.

**callalilly** · 08-15-2012, 07:24 AM

The Garden Primer: Second Edition
by :Barbara Damrosch

She's a big fan of organic gardening and not using pesticides.

**plotthickens** · 08-15-2012, 07:37 AM

	Originally Posted by Mogura To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	If there is a Gardeners' version of Cooks Illustrated out there, that would be awesome...

There is. You want
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. It will dispel any bad ideas you have with good science and help you understand what plants really need. It is a guaranteed recipe for success for every single gardener that can follow occasionally humorous, well-written directions. It is not organic; this is not a detractor as its methods are the point.

When you've read and understood that, move up from Square Foot Gardening to the UberGeek's Gardening Science Text:
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. Where SFG teaches you how to grow, HtGMV talks about the science of food nutrition, how to replace what the crops remove, what to grow, and all backed up with numbers and examples. It is the core of a huge body of work, and is frequently the "gateway drug" into gardener geekdom. Do not start here, it assumes a large amount of knowledge, most of which you will get from SFG and a season of gardening.

These two books plus ability to search on Teh Interwebs for "what kind of bug is this" and "how do I save seed from this" can wholly comprise all the texts a gardener may need for their entire life. ... not an INTJ gardener, of course, we like research and I have about 24 feet of books, but for the average person it will do the job. And they will certainly get you through at least your first decade in the garden.

**alfreddavis** · 09-18-2012, 05:16 AM

I have heard good reviews about the book:"Home Outside: Creating the Landscape You Love" by Julie Moir Messervy. You can give it a try and hope you enjoying reading the book. ..
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**Elanesse** · 04-20-2013, 08:01 PM

The Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery is one of the best books you can find.

**invicta** · 04-21-2013, 06:48 PM

Practical Science for Gardeners by Mary Pratt.

This book is not an exhaustive volume covering every plant, but rather the chemistry, reason for categorization, and general knowledge of plant care. It is a great book for whatever your needs, vegetables, ornamentals, weed, or lawn care.

A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants is a good one if you want lots of photos and specifics.

If you are in the Western US, Sunset's Western Garden Book is a must have.

08-03-2012, 12:26 PM	#1
Mogura Core Member [175%] MBTI: INFJ Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 7,031	Everyone has their own idea of what constitutes a good gardening book. As for myself, it would have to be reasonably idiot-proof (fairly thorough on explaining the "how"), chock full of science (again, thorough on explaining the "why"), not an excrutiating bore to read, and fairly broad, yet focuses on the edibles (fruits, veggies, etc.). Not a coffee table book, as much as something that gets the job done--in a fun sort of way. Any suggestions?
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08-03-2012, 12:55 PM	#2
Silverity Core Member [275%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 11,001	I'm not sure how science-y you'd think it is but The Practical Gardener's Encyclopedia is a good resource, very comprehensive and detailed, lots of tidbits.
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08-04-2012, 12:46 AM	#4
Silverity Core Member [275%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 11,001	I'm not familiar with CI. Have you tried just going to a bookstore to flip through? The thing about gardening.. it's pretty flexible, there is no one "right" garden. So when you say scientific I think two things: biology textbook, and some of the nitty gritty details-- types of soil, ph levels and how they affect plants, annuals, perennials, biennials-- the differences between them, light levels, humidity levels, etc. All of those are covered in the book I mentioned. What to look for when buying healthy plants and why certain signs are considered unhealthy, etc. Planting techniques, transplanting, propagation. I'm hoping that is what you mean To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. There's also a great section on vegetable gardens and herb gardens, as well as how to store herbs and vegetables, when to harvest, crop rotation, etc.
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08-15-2012, 07:24 AM	#5
callalilly Member [06%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 254	The Garden Primer: Second Edition by :Barbara Damrosch She's a big fan of organic gardening and not using pesticides.
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09-18-2012, 05:16 AM	#7
alfreddavis New Member [01%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 3	I have heard good reviews about the book:"Home Outside: Creating the Landscape You Love" by Julie Moir Messervy. You can give it a try and hope you enjoying reading the book. .. To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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04-20-2013, 08:01 PM	#8
Elanesse New Member [01%] MBTI: INFP Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 66	The Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery is one of the best books you can find.
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04-21-2013, 06:48 PM	#9
invicta Member [24%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 981	Practical Science for Gardeners by Mary Pratt. This book is not an exhaustive volume covering every plant, but rather the chemistry, reason for categorization, and general knowledge of plant care. It is a great book for whatever your needs, vegetables, ornamentals, weed, or lawn care. A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants is a good one if you want lots of photos and specifics. If you are in the Western US, Sunset's Western Garden Book is a must have.
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