Gardening Books

I would like to say that it's a shame on my part that it took me so long after becoming familiar with this subject to now have purchased this book. It is stimulating and personal non-fiction about a man who deserves far more credit to his name than we now give him. Each chapter reads like a letter to the general public from someone who knew R. Gordon Wasson personally. If you have any interest in knowing how America became familar with the psilocybe mushrooms proceed and read the Life Magazine article from the 1950s. It's on the net. If you want an expanded version from various angles, including biographical information on Wasson, pick this book up.

"The Sacred Mushroom Seeker" has been selected for listing in "Religion and Psychoactive Sacraments: An Entheogen Chrestomathy." http://www.csp.org/chrestomathy

This is a one-of-a-kind tribute to R. Gordon Wasson, widely credited as the primary founder of ethnomycology, whose history-making investigations into fungi across culture led him to the trail of the sacred mushrooms of Mesoamerica. The contributions by various authors are excellent, and the production superb. It features high-quality reproductions of historic photographs of mushroom ceremonies of the Mazatec (some originally published in LIFE magazine), along with some breath-taking pictures never-before-seen. Interesting, informative highlights come one after the other, from a nice assortment of Wasson's highly accomplished colleagues. This is a distinguished work that cannot be praised too highly, and will grow in stature with time. It was fittingly published as #11 in Wasson's Ethnomycological Studies, and goes well on the shelf alongside the others in that series. Very well done, and highly recommended for those with serious interest in this fascinating and important subject.

I brought a copy of this book a few years ago and have enjoyed many hours of quiet contemplation. I am transported to the Vieux Carre in an instant. Layers upon layers of visual details are revealed to you. The secrets of this hidden world are yours to uncover over and over again.

I bought this book some years ago and use it as a vacation-in-an-easychair escape to New Orleans. It is a treasure, written by a New Orleans insider who had access to the most wonderful gardens. I hope that it will be reprinted soon, so that I can buy it and send it to a dear friend I was telling about it.

I was in New Orleans recently and fell in love with the courtyard gardens that were hidden away beyond thick stone and brick walls. You could see these beautiful green, quiet oasis in contrast to the loud and sometimes bawdiness of the streets of the French Quarter, behind wrought iron fences, tucked away, for just a few to see and enjoy. I went to several bookstores in New Orleans, asking if there was a book on courtyard gardens of the French Quarter. I finally found one, The Secret Garden of the Vieux Carre. It was a beautiful book, with photographs that depicted the character of the gardens in a way that words could not. It was large and heavy and I did not have any room in my bags for another purchase. I thought, no problem, when I return home to California, I will find the book or order it. It is out of print! This could be worth a return trip to New Orleans in the very near future. I highly recommended this book.

I saw this book in the library and after checking it out once, twice and then three times, I knew I had to own it.

I can't really comment on the text, I don't know enough about the subject. I only know that I read the book and was facinated by the more scientific information. But I can say that I never tire of looking at the pictures. They are simply beautiful. When I want inspiration for building a new clay form, when I am looking for a color theme for painting or crocheting or glazing, I find it in the photographs in Seeds. The quality of the photography is excellent and the selection of seeds chosen for the book is varied enough that each picture illustrates something new.

This is not a book that once read, has nothing more to offer. I would recommend Seeds:Time Capsules of Life even to those who only wanted to look at the photographs and be inspired by the design and color revealed inside.

The general-interest public will find more accessible Rob Kesseler and Wolfgang Stuppy's SEEDS: TIME CAPSULES OF LIFE. Alexandra Papadakis edits this stunning natural history of seeds, which uses an oversized format/presentation to display close-up photos and electron microscopy images of seed evolution. The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew are involved in this reference's publication, which obtains some astonishing images and focuses on the diversity, design and function of seeds the world over.

This book and the companion book "Pollen" will wow both professionals and layman. Buy it just for the beauty of the superb photos or for the detailed data. Lay these books out on the coffee table and you can be sure they will be picked up over and over again. The photos mezmerize with the sheer magnitude of nature's design.

This book provides a skilled and knowledgeable exploration into to the uses of 7 herbs by a master herbalist. This book would be useful to students and practioners of herbalism, homeopathy, and flower essences, as the information can be utilized across these disciplines. The book clearly explains when and how to use these remedies and gives ample case studies from author's personal experience that further assist the reader in forming a clear picture of the signature of the herbs described.

I have just finished this book, having already read another book by Matthew Wood entitled The Book of Herbal Wisdom.

Seven Herbs: Plants as Teachers is a noteworthy book delving into seven stages of life. The lives of Biblical characters (Abraham, Isaac, and others) are mentioned to help the reader interpret the power of the specific herb mentioned.

Without giving the the story away in the name of simplicity, "Seven Herbs" will guide you through seven specific herbs (to be taken one at a time) which facilitate inner and outward transformation. If one were to find him/herself stuck in a certain stage and needed natural, herbal aid, this text may prove to be a medicine by itself.

I have not yet utilized the herbs as directed by Wood, but I have Sagebrush on its way in the mail, and will give it a solo performance opportunity in my life (as a homeopathic flower essence in this instance). This book is probably going to end up a hidden gem among the many herb related books now on shelves.

This book is crazy in the sense that i couldn't believe my ears as i read it, seem wonderful to me.

Wood gives the knowledge of life an extraordinary sense, based on his learnings with the Ojibawe tribe he analizes 7 stages of spiritual development and relates them with 7 diferent plants and 7 diferent simbols found in the book of the Genesis. This way you can learn and comprehend about the phase in wich you currently are and help you through it using the power of this plants.

He explains everything in such a simple and wise way that permites you to deeply learn the use and meaning of healing plants, as he gives a light in understanding the dinamics of life.

This book was easy to read, and had very good basic information. It would be great for the first time gardener and/or composter. Recommend!

Como resolver o problema dos residuos provenientes das retiradas de fruta

This is a rarity of a book since it doesn't spend a lot of time telling you stuff you don't need to know, but is what it says. A book about the various means of composting whether you live in an apartment or have an acre for an organic vegetable or flower garden.

The illustrations are helpful and easy to follow. And if you think you cant compost or that it will just be to hard, this book will change your mind. It is also an important book in my opinion, because Americans throw away so much useful compost material or grind it down the kitchen garbage disposal. By composting your kitchen and garden wastes you not only produce rich soil but you build up the entire eco system. And with garbage dumps becoming full and new ones harder to find I think that composting of kitchen and garden wastes should be a law.

An important major reference work, Sonoran Desert Plants is an exhaustive study of the woody plants native to the Sonoran Desert. 80 species are treated, and each species treatment includes excellent grey tone photographs and distribution maps, in addition to the discussion. This is an absolute sin qua non for students of the Sonoran Desert, botanists, naturalists, and aficionados of the cacti of the region. I reviewed this book several years ago & have not changed my mind about the book even though I am selling my copy now. I have moved "biomes" and really have no need for Sonoran biology texts anymore.

Co-authored by plant ecologists Raymond Turner and Tony Burgess along with botanist Janice Bowers, Sonoran Desert Plants: An Ecological Atlas is an enlarged and thoroughly revised edition of the original 1972 atlas. Packed cover to cover with figures, distribution maps, black-and-white photographs, and detailed information concerning the taxonomy and ecology of 339 plants, Sonoran Desert Plants is a superb in-depth manual especially recommended for ecologists studying the Sonoran desert area. A glossary, index, and impressively extensive compendium of cited literature round out this specialist's resource.

I found this book to be quite unique in the way it covers its subject area. I know of no other book which seeks to treat in a botanical manner the more conspicuous and important woody plants of the Sonoran Desert biome. I discovered the existence of plants that I previously did not know about. Each species is covered very well, with notes on its appearance, distribution, ethnobotany, and ecology. Excellent half-tone black and white photographs. I can't recommend this book too highly if one is interested in learning more about the Sonoran Desert woody plants.

Pleasant's book is a genial stroll through the gardening year. She has an easy natural style and interesting information to impart. This book is more in the nature of a friendly gardening conversation between friends than a how-to book, but the information provided is correct and well selected. I'm off to look for other Pleasant books....

Having Barbara Pleasant's book in hand is like having a good neighbor who shares her experience like plants from a well-tended garden. Such experience and generosity translate into a book packed with useful science, interesting and humorous history, as well as a wonderfully common-sense approach to gardening. Her month-by-month guide reminds us of not only what it's time to do but the pleasures, joys and mysteries that we enjoy when growing things - indoors and out - are part of our lives. It's hard to capture that wonder, but she seems to have done it.

When I was struggling to select plants for my garden in my new home, this book helped me to understand plants appropriate for my area, times to plant them, and many other helpful hints. This book is a great resource for gardeners all over the South!

Horticultural experts Allan M. Armitage (Professor of Horticulture, University of Georgia, Athens) and Judy M. Laushman (Executive Director of the Association of Specialty Cut Flowers Growers, Inc.) collaborate to offer gardening enthusiasts an exhaustive compilation of everything professionals and novice gardeners need to know about growing annuals, perennials, bulbs, and woody plants for fresh and dried cut flowers. Specialty Cut Flowers, now in a substantially revised and enlarged second edition, is an instructional reference which details the field analysis, greenhouse performance, pests and diseases, and more, of a tremendous list of flowers ranging from Achillea to Zinnia. 100 color photos, 84 line drawings, and a map, enhance the text of this solid, practical, 636 page guide for flower gardeners of any and all skill and experience levels.

Everyone interested in cut flower growing must have this text in his library. Allan Armitage is a renound researcher in herbaceous plants, who's earlier work was in specialty cut flowers. This is a serious text, not a "gardening" book.

Introductory sections give basics of cut flower growing, but the bulk of the book is devoted to discussing individual species. Chapters include annuals, perennials, bulbs, and woody species. Within each chapter, species are discussed in great detail. Everything you need to know to grow each cut flower is here: propagation, greenhouse and field performance, harvest and postharvest, pests and diseases, and lists of varieties are all given for each species.

This book is very well organized. Text is concise, but written with personality. There are line drawings for many species, but there are few color photographs.

This book is specificaly for cut flower growers. Lynn Bycznski's The Flower Farmer is another book not be missed by those interested in cut flower growing. Her book is an overview of the business and process of cut flower growing, also with some information on individual species. Another excellent Armitage text, Herbaceous Perennial Plants, is better suited for the serious gardener.

Horticultural experts Allan M. Armitage (Professor of Horticulture, University of Georgia, Athens) and Judy M. Laushman (Executive Director of the Association of Specialty Cut Flowers Growers, Inc.) collaborate to offer gardening enthusiasts an exhaustive compilation of everything professionals and novice gardeners need to know about growing annuals, perennials, bulbs, and woody plants for fresh and dried cut flowers. Specialty Cut Flowers, now in a substantially revised and enlarged second edition, is an instructional reference which details the field analysis, greenhouse performance, pests and diseases, and more, of a tremendous list of flowers ranging from Achillea to Zinnia. 100 color photos, 84 line drawings, and a map, enhance the text of this solid, practical, 636 page guide for flower gardeners of any and all skill and experience levels.

The key to any patio or landscape project is the foundation. This book elaborates this by showing detail in the starting point of projects. I found it invaluable during my summer landscape and patio projects. Worth every penny.

If you like home projects and want a collection of simple outdoor landscape construction ideas for improving decks, patios, sheds, walkways or fencing, START-TO-FINISH LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION is for you. It provides patterns of projects, sidebars of info for telling when a change is needed, tips on using and designing with different kinds of materials, and more. From flagstone to framing, chapters cover a wide range of home-enhancing projects.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I give this book FIVE stars because of the several I have purchased since buying my house, this is the most comprehensive and user friendly. A great blend of general knowledge and specific techniques, and even building plans. It's packed with helpful drawings, photos and descriptions that can help even the novice complete complex-sounding projects. From planning your overall landscape to actually building walkways, patios, decks, sheds,gazebos, walls, and fences. Start with this all-around guide and then maybe get another book that pinpoints your project, and you're all set.

"Walks, pathways and steps play important roles around the exterior of the home. On a practical level, they offer a safe and comfortable means of approaching your house in all seasons and weather conditions. They also serve to connect your house with its surrounding landscape, providing a logical route to frequently used areas such as garages and outbuildings, or a more meandering route through gardens..." Andrew Wormer writes.

He continues to discuss other aspects of stonescape, including paths, steps, sitting places, dinning places, outdoor rooms, garden paths and floors, poolside spaces, drystone walls, mortared walls, benches, sculptures, steams and waterfalls, entryways, driveways and transitions, and borders.

"Stonescaping Idea Book" has six chapters: Paths & Steps, Terraces, Patios and Garden Spaces, Walls, Landscaping Features, Pools, Ponds and Fountains, and Finishing Touches.

"Stonescaping Idea Book" has 144 pages and many beautiful and inspiring interior color photos. It is a must-have for stonescape lovers!

Lots of pictures, mortar and dry-stone, a little bit of everything. Makes you look at your yard with different eyes.

I loaned this book to my friend [we're both rockaholics]and she's having a hard time giving it back [maybe I should buy one for her]. I have acquired several books on stonescaping, building with rock, etc., this is one of the good ones, wonderful pictures too.