Product Description

California has unique and varying growing conditions. This easy-to-use guide for California gardens gives you step-by-step instructions on selecting and growing for more than 150 low-maintenance plants and shrubs that thrive in diverse California, including annuals, perennials, vines, shrubs, and trees.

In addition, you'll find gardening basics for maximum result, such as:

• The benefits of one-time soil preparation
• The secret of summer and winter mulching
• The "less is more" fertilization technique that keeps your plants in perfect shape
• The best methods for irrigation
• Tips on keeping your plants pest free without over-using traditional pest controls

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #243575 in Books
• Published on: 2006-02-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

About the Author
Rushing is a 10th generation Southern gardener. He is a leading Extension Service consumer horticulturist in Mississippi and has two degrees from Mississippi State University and the Louisiana State University Landscape School of the South. He coordinates Master Gardeners in the state's capitol.

Customer Reviews

A gardener with a sense of humor!
Intrigued by the title, I began reading this book and found myself laughing out loud with the author's descriptions. Though a good book for anyone with an interest in gardening, with its easy-to-follow instructions, beautiful pictures and recommendations, this is also a 'good read' for those of us who are already gardening addicts. I was glad to find someone else who couldn't pass up an intriguing plant even though we had absolutely no idea where we were going to put it. This is a book for the curious, the experimenter, and those who simply find joy in the garden. I loved the book, have already enjoyed reading the commentary over and over again...and, of course, will look for some of the recommendations I haven't heard of before. This would also make a great gift for any 'budding' gardener!

Great read on easy plants!
As a "novice" gardener, and new owner of an old house with plenty of landscaping to improve on, I find this book an easy, enjoyable and inspiring read on low care, tough plants. Great photos, too.

New Ideas for SoCal Gardens
I received this book as a Christmas present. Very refreshing unstuffy style, for example the cell phone tower tree is pictured and given a latin name. I am an avid gardener but over the years you figure out you want non-fussy plants. Based on experience many of his suggestions are good ones so I am looking forward to trying out some of the other ones. Not the same old thing, he has many ideas that you may not have seen elsewhere. For more details about how big the plant will get and such refer to the Sunset Western Gardening book. I am looking to buy more books from this author. Apparently he is a southern gardener but you sure couldn't tell from this book, it was great!