The Ultimate Gardeners' Reference Manual
Written: Jan 22 '00 (Updated Jan 22 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to read & understand format for all level of gardening
Cons: Not for the people Back East
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| Mrsfitts's Full Review: Sunset Western Gardening Annual, 1998 |
I have always had a green thumb. I could make things grow -even where they weren't supposed to! But I didn't know how to put that all together in a 'nice package'. Have you ever seen a Kiwi plant next to tomatoes, next to roses, next to carnations -all under a Eugenia tree? Each plant looked great, but the combination was "odd" to say the least.
In 1985 my best friend introduced me to Sunset's: The Western Garden Book. Every few years they update this book. This book is so valuable a resource, I don't mind paying the $15 each time to get the new & improved version. I still have my dog-earred book from 1985, though.
The best feature about this book is that it takes the Western half of the United States & divides up the regions into Zones -beyond the 10 zones that are known to most of us gardeners. I live in Zone 9 -as the rest of the world knows it, but my girlfriend also lived in Zone 9. I got very hot Summers (up to 117 deg) while her Summers would rarely go above 90 degrees. My Summer nights were hot & clear, & her Summer nights would be in the 50's & 60's because of the Marine influence. My Winters rarely got snow (trace) & she only got snow if I did. But, her Winter days would get up to 60 degrees, while my Winter days were 40 & foggy! Crepe Myrtles thrived in my area, while they had a very hard time surviving in her area - yet we were both Zone 9! In this book, all the micro climates -desert, marine, valley, mountain - are all taken into consideration for your plant choices. The book is very detailed about what will survive in one area, but thrive in another.
This book also has plant selections for every kind of situation you can think of. Small yard? Mountain garden? City (pollution) location? Desert (high heat) location? Ocean (salt water) view? Pool (chlorine) location? or for fire & drought prone areas Which plants are evergreen in your location, & which are deciduous. What plants are best for privacy screens & which will attract bees. What plants that deer will (maybe) leave alone. And which plants for for a riot of colors. This book covers the Western United States!
After the colored photo section for categories of plants come the plant encyclopedia. These are listed by their scientific name -except for common fruits & vegetables. If you know the plant by the common name, there will usually be a reference to the scientific name so you can find out all about most any plant; CAMOMILE. See Chamaemelum nobile, Matricaria recutita.
This book contains sections about weeds, pests, pruning, training, borders, flower & vegetable gardens. It is the beginners How To manual.
The last section of the book is the glossary section. This is where the new gardener can find out that Damping Off isn't something to do with water or that a Runner isn't someone in a marathon.
Almost all places that sell plants in Northern California have this book firmly secured to a podium for reference. I can go to Orchard Supply Hardware or Home Base or Home Depot & see this book open in the Nursery Section. Even the family owned nurseries have this book available to answer any question you have about a flower, tree, bulb, bush, shrub, hedge, annual, perennial, or ground cover.
My last 3 yards have been the kind that strangers walking by will stop & make great comments about. One guy had to drag his wife away from my massive bulb display! (hundreds of tulips & daffodils...) It's embarrassing, but nice to know I've come a long way from stares of disbelief!
Recommended:
Yes
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Mrsfitts
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Member: Pam Fitts
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Reviews written: 203
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You Teach The Best What You Need Most To Learn
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