what's the best book to buy on gardening, i need to know when to start cuttings this back.?

Answer 1

I learned more from online gardening forums than I ever did from books. Sometimes it's easier to interact with people online...ask specific questions and get answers than it is to look things up in a book. Don't get me wrong...I have a gardening book fetish, but if I have a specific question on seed propogation, I know I can log into one of my favorite gardening forums and get answers quickly.

Answer 2

The book that I still refer to on a regular basis is "The Garden Primer" by Barbara Damrosch. It was the book that was my reference book way back when I didn't know which seeds could be planted before the last frost and which seeds were warm weather crops. Check out Half.com for a good deal on the book. After attending the Penn State Master Gardening program a decade ago, people began to 'consult' me with their gardening questions. The most important thing that Master Gardening program teaches is that it is NOT important to memorize and know everything about gardening...but it IS important to know where to look to find the information. The Garden Primer is always the first place that I look. I would also like to recommend your local cooperative extension office for information. And DO give the Master Gardener program a try if you have the time and the inclination!

Answer 3

If you would prefer a book rather than online help would suggest the Reader's Digest Gardening Book of the Year. It gives lots of useful information regarding floral, shrub and veggie gardening, and what chores to do when. It inlcludes such information as what and how to plant when, disease protection, and yes does include info re cutting back together with diagrams.Reference section is excellent as it links together the articles.

When first started gardening referred to this so much.
Enjoy your garden.

Answer 4

I only use them as specific references at this point, but I've liked "The American Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants". Mine is 10 years old now, so an updated version would be handy. It has lots of species-specific info on growing, uses and maintenance of a huge selection of garden plants.
I also really like Barbara Damrosch's "Garden Primer". This is a nice little volume with specific species info, plus general garden maintenance stuff, like proper composting, insect control with or without chemicals, etc.
While the Internet is a really good resource, you have to spend a lot of time and energy weeding out the good advice from the crap. Be careful...they're not always easy to tell apart. Garden.com is a lovely website for general garden info and message boards.

Answer 5

It's best to buy a gardening book by a horticulturalist from your geographical area. For example, Neil Sperry is famous in Texas, and knows what plants work well in that state.

What one plants in the state of PA may not be the right choice in the state of LA.

Answer 6

If you like to ruin your soil and use a lot of chemicals buy:
Neil Sperry's books
If you want to do organic:
Jerry Baker's Book of Garden Secrets
Rodales Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening

Answer 7

If you live anywhere near a library, don't buy anything. You can search for any book on their computer, and if they don't have it at your branch you can order it.
Which do a brilliant guide to propagating, I borrowed that from the library and wrote notes about the plants I was interested in.

Answer 8

If you are in western side of the country, "Sunset Western Garden Book" is the best. It's my bible!

Answer 9

you might not have to purchase a book
try online
sunset magazine menlo park california
better homes and gardens
or check out your local library

Answer 10

gardening for dummies, it is from the hole computers for dummies thing. they are very good books and will teach you fast. home depot has that book.