Product Description

Two self-proclaimed "crotchety old horticulture professors," Ed O’Rourke and Leon Standifer share an immense love of gardening, a vast knowledge of all things horticultural, and a hearty sense of humor. In Gardening in the Humid South, they combine all these traits to provide a practical and entertaining guide to gardening in the region they know best, the humid subtropics of the lower South.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #508488 in Books
• Published on: 2004-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 359 pages

From Library Journal
Both former holticulture professors at Louisiana State University, O'Rourke and Standifer present a lively and comprehensive treatment of gardening in the humid subtropics of the lower South. These seasoned horticulturists approach their subject with a mix of scientific pragmatism and loving reverence. The book, in fact, reads like a lively discussion sprinkled with humorous stories, old-timers' advice on diagnostics and maintenance, and "homegrown" solutions to gardening problems. Despite its casual tone, the guide is indispensable to any Southern home gardener. The authors succeed in taking the confusion out of the scientific aspects of horticulture and provide readers with a helpful monthly calendar of timely opportunities and requisite chores and hassles. This exceptional book is highly recommended for both public and academic libraries, especially in the "Sunny South." Deborah A. Broocker, Georgia Perimeter Coll., Dunwoody
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"Finally, here's a complete guide that takes all the idiosyncrasies of the Southern climate into account. . . . From choosing the site to selecting proper trees, shrubs, annuals or perennials, raising fruit, applying fertilizers and dealing with insects and diseases, Gardening in the Humid South offers a wheelbarrow full of useful information and easily understood advice."

About the Author
Professor emeritus of horticulture at Louisiana State University, Edmund N. O’Rourke Jr. lives in Baton Rouge.

Leon C. Standifer is professor emeritus of horticulture at Louisiana State University and the author of Not in Vain and Binding Up the Wounds, memoirs of his World War II army days.

Customer Reviews

Gardening with Grumpy Old Men
As a recent transplant to the south, I found this book not only entertaining but extremely informative. Take two old men, several theories on gardening and an unlimited number of pages for arguing and you've got Gardening in the Humid South. Ed and Leon have never steered me wrong, and they're a hoot to boot!

Good for certain gardeners
I bought this book as I love most books that pertain to Southern gardening. I have most of Michael Dirr's books, for example, and and love them all. This book is quite a bit different - it has a lot of chapters that pertain to garden planning, soil preparation, fertilizers, weed eradication, tools, pots and the like. There is less specific information about particular plants here than I expected - the chapter on shrubs is only 7 pages long, to give an example. There are very few photographs of plants or trees, and these are in black and white. So, it depends on what you want in a garden book to decide if this is for you.

Great Guide for Gardners
Living in climates where the humidity is high, is as difficult on plants as it is humans. O'Rourke provides lots of useful information on creating gardens that withstand the challenge of heavy air.