The Greener View: Gardening Books Galore

Jeff Rugg on Dec 11, 2024

Sticking with last week's theme of books that are good for gardeners, here are a few more.

A lot of people are moving to the Southwest from Northern states. Gardening is different down there, to say the least. I visited family in Arizona this year, so I bought "Dry Climate Gardening" by Noelle Johnson. It is a great read and reference for anyone in an arid climate. As she says, "With careful plant selection and thoughtful design, you can create a low-water landscape that's an oasis for humans and wildlife alike. There are hundreds of plants well-suited to xeric conditions, and with the proper care, they create a living desert landscape that will stop passersby in their tracks."

I bought my copy of her book at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, which is a great place to see what many of the plants in the book look like.

Headed to Florida this winter or next? You will want to pick up "The Garden Tourist's Florida: A Guide to 80 Tropical Gardens in the Sunshine State." There are a lot of public gardens in Florida. This book by Jana Milbocker will help you find the ones closest to your destination and which ones have the types of plants you want to see.

Speaking of botanical gardens, you should look for them anywhere you take a vacation. Vacations can get to be hectic, and a garden walk is a good way to enjoy nature and slow down your pace. If you are a member of your local botanical garden, you may very well get free admission to botanical gardens all over the country. An easy way to get this benefit is to be a member of the American Horticultural Society. For one low price, over 380 botanical gardens across the country will let you in for free or at a reduced price. For more information, go to ahsgardening.org.

OK, back to books. When you are out walking in the woods and you come across a plant with some flowers or berries that look enticing, you may want to nibble on them. In that case, "How to Forage for Wild Foods Without Dying," by Ellen Zachos, is for you. This book has great color photos and plant descriptions. It also covers potentially dangerous look-alike plants. The majority of the plants in the book are found in all regions of the country. The book is field guide-sized with a water-resistant cover for outdoor adventures. Signed copies are available from her website at backyardforager.com or on Amazon. Her website is a must-read for anyone wanting to find edible plants in the wild.

I almost forgot: My book "Greener View Gardening" is available on Amazon. If you or someone you know loves plants but thinks they have a black thumb, this book will help turn it green.

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Email questions to Jeff Rugg at info@greenerview.com. To find out more about Jeff Rugg and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.