Mid-Atlantic Gardener's Handbook: Your Complete Guide: Select, Plan, Plant, Maintain, Problem-Solve - Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, ... Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C.

by Katie Elzer-Peters

Now all gardeners living in the Mid-Atlantic can unlock the secrets to successful gardening in their region, thanks to this informative, fully illustrated handbook! Mid-Atlantic Gardener's Handbook has everything a gardener needs for successful planting and growing in the Mid-Atlantic region--all contained in one easy-to-reference book. Comprehensive to the core, this book is different from other gardening guidebooks because it's written exclusively for gardeners who live in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, or Washington, D.C. Subjects covered include plant selection and when-to gardening maintenance information. Planting and growing information for edibles is also included, along with plant selections for the most common plant categories. As an important component in the CSP Gardener's Handbook series, this an all-inclusive gardener's reference book offers plant information as well as the critical when-to-do-it information. Additionally, the book covers ornamental landscape and edible plants, as well as monthly when-to tips. It is the undisputed handbook for gardening in the Mid-Atlantic. Some chapters Introduction to Gardening Annuals Perennials & Ornamental Grasses Bulbs, Corms, Tubers and Rhizomes Herbs & Vegetables Groundcovers Lawn Grasses Shrubs Trees Vines

Genres: Gardening, Reference, Nonfiction, Plants

208 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2013

Reviews

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Mid-Atlantic Gardener's Handbook, 2nd Edition is a reformatted and updated 2nd edition of the region specific gardening guide by Katie Elzer-Peters. Originally released in 2013, this edition is due out in March 2022 from Quarto on their Cool Springs imprint. It's 240 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is an accessibly written information dense regional gardening guide specifically aimed at gardeners in the mid-Atlantic areas of the USA: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C. and environs. The information is arranged in a logical manner with chapters arranged thematically. An introduction covers the benefits and challenges gardeners living in these areas experience is followed by: annuals, bulbs, groundcovers, perennials, shrubs (& trees), grasses, and vegetables & herbs. The chapters are thorough and contain solid recommendations with both specific cultivars as well as general seasonal task lists for each chapter. Cultivars are referred to by botanical (Latin) nomenclature as well as common name to facilitate sourcing and reduce mistaken IDs.

The book is -full- of full color photographs for inspiration and clarity. The book includes a glossary of terms and cross referenced index.

Four stars. This would be a good choice for public and school libraries, gardening groups, community/allotment gardens, suburban gardeners, homeowners, etc. There's a similarity of format and presentation between all the books in this series which makes them easy to use and reference no matter where readers are gardening.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Sherrice Mojgani · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't know what you don't know about caring for the plants in your yard, and growing tomatoes

[Deb Besch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently moved to the mid-Atlantic region and enjoyed reading this book. I feel I learned a lot from it. I do think it would be a more valuable reference if it had some charts in it showing, for example, which plants are deer resistant, which ones can be grown in shade, which ones require dry soil, etc. As I read it I realized I’m going to have to make a list of which plants I can plant in my new yard (sunny, dry, deer present) myself. I’d love to have a chart form listing, for example, the perennials, down one side and the attributes across the top. Other than that it’s a very informative book with good photos.

[Kali · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good general reference guide and great basic information for newer gardeners. I would have liked to see more in-depth discussion and recommendations for some of the common challenges of Mid-Atlantic gardening (weather, pests, diseases).

[Liz De Coster · Rating 2 out of 5]

More or closer-up photos would have been appreciated; it was hard to tell the difference between plant varietals.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We will definitely have to add this to the shelf for reference when we start our garden. Love the way the book is organized into cool and warm weather plants.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful guide to different plant species. I wish there was more info on how to design gardens, and more of an emphasis on native species.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many things that make this a great reference book! It is specific to my area and includes separate sections for all of the topics you want to know about: perennials, annuals, trees, and more and all of the things you need to know to take care of them. There is a section that tells you what to do every month of the year, even when there is no sign of life in your garden. The pictures are beautifully done and are big enough to show details. I have other gardening books, but I highly recommend this one because it is area specific, which means I didn't lose any time checking to see if a plant would work at my house or not. If you don't live in this region, I noticed there were similar books for other regions as well. ( I received this in a goodreads giveaway.)

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some confusion between the book and local experts, but I guess I'll find out who's right as soon as my carrots come up (or don't).

Otherwise, this is an excellent primer for growing edibles in the Mid-Atlantic region. There are about 2 pages on every plant, with brief tips for planting, growing, getting rid of pests, and harvesting.

Definitely worth a read if you're in this region and just beginning to garden.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait to garden in the Spring. This book will help make me a great gardner next year.

[Mary Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great basic reference for beginning to intermediate gardeners. I enjoyed the author's writing style. Easy to read format.