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America's Garden Book
America's Garden Book There are very few garden books that have lasted like America's Garden Book—and with good reason. Since its first edition in 1939, the book has been specifically geared to North American backyard, do-it-yourself gardeners and their particular needs. The Plants More than 3,000 plant recommendations are listed throughout the book. Chapters devoted to specific types of plants go one step further, offering multiple listings based on the particular merit and special growing habits of certain plants. Appropriate plants for every garden situation are offered from disease-resistant climbing roses, water lilies for pond gardens, or rock garden plants. The Techniques There are instructions for constructing various paths, walls, steps, and grading structures. Detailed plans are included for naturalizing a prairie, constructing compost bins, and arranging indoor lighting systems. The Photography More than 1,000 photographs illustrate everything from more than 60 roses to the step-by-step of dividing a lily root clump. Each chapter contains scores of identification photographs to help the home gardener choose the ideal plants for the garden.
819 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 1984
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 29, 2022
I was so excited to get a gardening book released in 1939!
Unfortunately it was disappointing to me. It was encyclopedic, but not instructive. Really unapproachable.
It wasn't localized enough to be relevant. It does use the garden zones convention, but wasn't useful for me to figure out the best ways to garden in Michigan as opposed to Texas.
Also, it really would have benefited from more photos. I'm spoiled by the Internet's wealth of glorious high-resolution images, but it lacked even botanical sketches or images of insect pests.
Some of the deep information covered, like tree grafting, seems as if it could be in its own book, as I feel the average American casual gardener won't be doing these things. This is part of what turns me off; that this book is so obviously not exhaustive but also not for beginners. Guidance for treatment of plant diseases uses phrases like, "Spray or dust with arsenate of lead." HUH!? it also recommends shooting and poisoning rabbits. Boo.
Unfortunately it was disappointing to me. It was encyclopedic, but not instructive. Really unapproachable.
It wasn't localized enough to be relevant. It does use the garden zones convention, but wasn't useful for me to figure out the best ways to garden in Michigan as opposed to Texas.
Also, it really would have benefited from more photos. I'm spoiled by the Internet's wealth of glorious high-resolution images, but it lacked even botanical sketches or images of insect pests.
Some of the deep information covered, like tree grafting, seems as if it could be in its own book, as I feel the average American casual gardener won't be doing these things. This is part of what turns me off; that this book is so obviously not exhaustive but also not for beginners. Guidance for treatment of plant diseases uses phrases like, "Spray or dust with arsenate of lead." HUH!? it also recommends shooting and poisoning rabbits. Boo.
September 21, 2009
this book was our bible when we lived in our first house.
April 13, 2012
Gorgeous, BIG and HEAVY gardening book. Try toting this one around for a week! Borrowed from the library, need to purchase. A wonderful reference for all who enjoy gardening.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews