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American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening
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Product Description
An essential volume packed with authoritative advice for all gardeners, the AHS Encyclopedia of Gardening guides readers expertly through the latest gardening techniques, details information on garden planning and design, covers useful tools and materials, and features an extensive glossary of plants, including trees, shrubs, and perennials. Written by experts and endorsed by the American Horticultural Society, this is truly the most comprehensive gardening reference available.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #404933 in Books
- Published on: 2003-09-08
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Hardcover
- 648 pages
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Many books claim to be a "definitive guide"; this is one title that happily lives up to those claims--and then some. Encyclopedia of Gardening will become your indispensable how-to manual for any plant-related topic. Indoors or out, you'll find information on choosing and maintaining healthy plants of all varieties, how to build structures from greenhouses to trellises, ways to identify pests and diseases, and methods of garden design that enable you to turn your lawn into a unique and personal work of art.
The text is straightforward and accompanied at all points by close-up photos of techniques, ideas, and specimens. The handy glossary is ready with definitions for everything from bulblet to vermiculite, and two pages of seasonal reminders are a great quick-reference cheat sheet. Thanks to clear category separations and the easy-to-read layout, the information is never overwhelming, just friendly and helpful--it's like having a master gardener living in your bookshelf! For the beginning-but-committed gardener, this encyclopedia is the perfect starting point. With every question answered thoroughly and accurately, you may find it's the only book you need for years to come. The fruit and vegetable sections are terrific, as are the areas on propagation and water gardening. For novice and expert alike, there's plenty to be learned from this information-packed volume. --Jill Lightner
From Library Journal
Illustrated with excellent photos, this encyclopedia covers everything horticultural from garden design to planting and maintenance, with chapters on the important plant groups, the lawn, and vegetable, fruit, indoor, and water gardens. Also included are easily understood sections on botany, propagation, plant disease, and equipment. Essential for all public and horticultural libraries. (LJ 11/15/93)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
In 1993, when the first edition of The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening, the Americanized edition of The Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening (1992), appeared, reviewers used the terms definitive and comprehensive when describing it. Very often, something of that caliber is difficult to improve. However, a decade later, the American Horticultural Society has done just that in its revised and expanded edition of the 1993 work.
The book remains unchanged in size, appearance, and format. Even most of the photos and actual text are identical. Subtle revisions are scattered throughout the entire work, with the majority and most obvious appearing in the first half, "Creating the Garden." It is here that the latest botanic technology and principles are found. State-of-the-art planning and design concepts now incorporate our various living conditions into today's garden lifestyles. The beauty and elegance of yesteryear's formal estates and traditional gardens have been preserved and at the same time transformed into the more casual landscapes and container gardens. An entire chapter on container gardening has been added. Techniques are discussed and illustrated for achieving the graceful and utilitarian window box, deck, patio, and rooftop gardens so prevalent today. Planning diagrams now take into consideration container sizes, shapes, and styles as well as all types of flowers and plants.
The American Horticultural Society plant codes (also new) guide the selection of the most appropriate plants for the gardening space. These are based on the 2002 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone and 1997 AHS Plant Heat Zone maps found on the end papers in the front and back of the book. A detailed "Hardiness and Heat Zone Index" lies at the end of the text, just ahead of the extensive regular index. As previously, the second half of the encyclopedia pertains to garden maintenance, including pruning, diseases, structures, and surfaces. This outstanding encyclopedia supersedes its first edition and brings gardening into the twenty-first century. Recommended for gardening collections. RBB
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