Starting off with ultrabasics, like "how do I get my plants to live rather than die?" Gardening for Dummies is a terrific textbook for the novice gardener. Explanations are laid out simply, and all terms are defined as soon as they are first used--if you've never grown so much as a houseplant, this is the book to get you started. Emphasis is on choosing proper plants for your zone (it's OK--the color map will show you which zone you're in) that are fairly low-maintenance and high-success. Large sections on both seeds and bedding plants will give you lots of options and specific instructions for getting good results--seeds, especially, are treated as persnickety little critters that require some extra effort in exchange for low cost and large variety. The big downside to this book is its lack of pictures. There are lots of line drawings, but they tend to show particular stages of a process, rather than each step. Color photos are limited to two sections, and most of them are close-ups of various plants. While it's nice to see what the bark of a paperbark maple looks like, it doesn't particularly add to the value of the book. For folks who learn best with straightforward reading, the sections on mulching, pruning, soil preparation, and tool choices are all extremely helpful. With bullet-point lists, icons for highlighting categories like ecofriendly or time-saving, and simple tables and charts, how-to photos aren't essential, but if pictorial aids are what you need for learning, look elsewhere. --Jill Lightner


From Library Journal
This book has much to recommend it, in spite of the title. It is a simple, well-laid-out introduction to basic gardening by the editor-in-chief of National Gardening magazine and editors of the National Gardening Association. Its light tone is clearly aimed at novice gardeners. Snappy headings, the use of icons (as symbols are called nowadays), checklists, and diagrams make the book appealing for beginners. Gardeners with some experience might prefer a more substantial and better-illustrated introduction such as the one provided in Burpee Complete Gardener: A Comprehensive, Up-to-Date, Fully Illustrated Reference for Gardeners at All Levels (LJ 2/15/96). This volume is even more up to date, including good lists of mail-order suppliers and further readings and information about on-line resources. Recommended for public libraries.?Daniel Starr, Museum of Modern Art, New YorkCopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
Gardening is one of the most popular, least exclusive hobbies of all. Everybody can garden. Gardening is good for the body; an hour or two of daily yardwork provides just the right kind of light exercise we all need. Responsible gardening also does good things for the environment: materials get recycled, and empty lots become community gardens. Gardening also can boost your mental health; it delights the eye and fuels the soul with a connection to the earth.

Even if you've never repotted a plant, you have the heart of a gardener if you love the taste of garden tomatoes or close your eyes when you sniff a blossom. Gardening For Dummies, 2nd Edition, will help novices get off to a solid start and help seasoned gardeners broaden their breadth of knowledge.

This book is for you if you want to Create a garden for the first time Know how to mow your lawn the right way Find out which bugs are eating up your plants Determine when and how much to water your garden Attract birds, bees, and butterflies to your yard Grow your own herbs and vegetables

Find your way around the garden center by knowing which soil amendments to buy, which tools to use, which plants to choose, and how to use pest controls. You can turn that brown thumb into a green one by exploring these other topics: Creating a landscape design: Know what you have; define areas and flow Exploring annuals, perennials, bulbs, and vines: Choose healthy plants; water and feed for longevity Buying and planting roses: Understand classifications, pruning methods, and winterizing Putting in a new lawn: Buy seed; remove sod; explore mowers and trimmers Planting seedlings, trees, and shrubs: Transplant from cell packs and larger containers; get bare-root or balled-and-burlapped plants into the ground Pruning and propagating: Understand the purpose; look at tools, techniques Dealing with weeds and disease: Identify damage; control spread

Gardening For Dummies, 2nd Edition, offers a slew of lists, illustrations, and color photographs to guide you as you garden. No matter what size your planting area, from sunny windowsill to patio to yard, you can nurture and grow a glorious garden.


From the Back Cover
"Packed with down-to-earth gardening advice." Doug Jimerson, Vice President, Editor-in-Chief, garden.com Praise for Gardening For Dummies® "The perfect map for a new generation of gardeners." — William Rapp, President, Gardener's Supply Co. "All the basics are covered here.…A great introduction." — Ann Arbor News "Straightforward, yet light-hearted.…A thorough, readable beginner's guide." —Des Moines Register The bestselling classic, now revised and updated Your green-thumb guide to growing flowers, vegetables, trees, and shrubs Brimming with illustrations, advice, resources, and suggested plantings, this friendly guide shows you step-by-step how to create the garden of your dreams. From cultivation basics to garden design 101, it's just what you need to start playing in the dirt! Discover how to: Pick the best plants for your climate and lifestyle Design the perfect garden for you Keep your plants healthy Use compost, fertilizer, and safe pesticides Locate garden supplies Get smart! www.dummies.com Register to win cool prizes Browse exclusive articles and excerpts Get a free Dummies Daily™ e-mail newsletter Chat with authors and preview other books Talk to us, ask questions, get answers


About the Author
Michael MacCaskey is editor-in-chief of National Gardening magazine. Bill Marken is editor-in-chief of eHow.com. The National Gardening Association is the largest member-based, nonprofit organization of gardeners in the U.S.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

You'll learn how to design, plant and care for gardens in any environment. Trusty tips on fertilizing, watering, staking and pruning will turn even the brownest of thumbs to green in no time. Complete with gardening zones and expert advice on soil, water, climate conditions and regional plants and flowers, Gardening For Dummies®, 2nd Edition is a must have reference for gardening aficionados and first-time gardeners alike. Includes updated information on gardening supplies, gardening shows and sites, plus online resources and periodicals Features a full-color insert plus hundreds of illustrations Filled with tested advice on how to select plants, blooms and vegetation for any soil or climate Comprehensive cross-references to IDG Book's companion gardening titles

SYNOPSIS

No green thumb is necessary to readers of all ages to enjoy this fun, easy-to-follow reference to the world of gardening! This book is filled with hundreds of illustrations, expert tips, tricks, and suggestions that take the reader on an exploration of the gardening basics and beyond -- even includes an 8-page color insert of sample garden plans that any novice or experienced gardener can create! The expert author team, assembled by the National Gardening Association, provides the reader with a wealth of knowledge on gardening fundamentals, like what kinds of plants grow in certain climates and how to maintain them, what types of tools to buy and where to get them, how to prune, weed and water plants, and much more.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

This book has much to recommend it, in spite of the title. It is a simple, well-laid-out introduction to basic gardening by the editor-in-chief of National Gardening magazine and editors of the National Gardening Association. Its light tone is clearly aimed at novice gardeners. Snappy headings, the use of icons (as symbols are called nowadays), checklists, and diagrams make the book appealing for beginners. Gardeners with some experience might prefer a more substantial and better-illustrated introduction such as the one provided in Burpee Complete Gardener: A Comprehensive, Up-to-Date, Fully Illustrated Reference for Gardeners at All Levels (LJ 2/15/96). This volume is even more up to date, including good lists of mail-order suppliers and further readings and information about on-line resources. Recommended for public libraries.Daniel Starr, Museum of Modern Art, New York

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

I've been gardening most of my life and I still found something new to learn in this well-organized book. Public Radio's Natural Gardener  — Larry Sombke