cover image Basic Gardening

Basic Gardening

Mike MacCaskey. HP Books, $12.95 (240pp) ISBN 978-0-89586-325-6

This is an outsized book, profusely illustrated with color photos, line drawings and maps. The text is written by experts in various specialties and is conveniently organized into two sections. In the first, readers find thorough instructions on gardening basics: designing plots, planting, feeding, watering, controlling pests, etc. The second part is devoted to methods of achieving success with landscaping, nurturing ornamental and food-bearing trees (fruits and nuts), also shrubs, vines, bulbs, annual and perennial flowers, plants in containers and much more. Of special interest are boxed items with notes on phenology, a branch of science that deals with the relations between climate and periodic biological phenomena. Also helpful: suggestions for inducing cut roses to live longer. (March)