West Coast gardeners can find few better reference books for their art than the newest Sunset Western Garden Book. It is edited by Kathleen Norris Brenzel. (Menlo Park, California, Sunset Publishing Company, 2001. Numerous indexes, charts, maps and illustrations in 768 pages. ISBN: 0376038748.)
I no longer read Sunset Magazine because it concentrates more on travel than gardening, and contains mostly advertising for expensive products, services, and tourist attractions. It does continue to have some articles about food, home and garden arts. As a hardcore gardener and gardening reader, I would rather subscribe to Shasta Gardening News.
The Sunset Western Garden Book, however, is a true classic. This must be the fifth edition of this important garden reference book. Over 8,000 plants are carefully described, accompanied by color illustrations and photographs. Entries include tips on planting and plant care. The entries are arranged by the Latin name, and two indexes provide access by the common English name and Latin names for the plants. A new directory of Western U.S. resources is a fine addition. Tips and techniques for becoming a better gardener are given everywhere in this reference manual.
I have seldom been to a nursery that does not have this book available for answering questions and providing needed information.
Winter gardening often, when the rain falls and falls, consists of browsing gardening catalogs and reading gardening books. Give me the Sunset Western Garden Book, a cup of hot tea, and electricity from Shasta Dam for light; and, hours of reading pleasure are sure to me mine.
Readings to Lift a Gardener's Spirits
7:35:23 AM 
|
