Recently there have been a number of plant related books that have done really well in terms of sales. Brother Gardeners is one and What A Plant Knows is another. Personally, I think both of these books are nice additions to any horticulturists bookshelf. But there are always those books that have been forgotten. One of those books is Fruits and Plains: The Horticultural Transformation of America by Philip J. Pauly. Published in 2008 this is an accurate history (much more accurate that anything by Pollan for example — Not that Pollan writes bad stuff, but let’s face it, he’s a storyteller) of the evolution of horticulture in the United States over the past few hundred years — If you really want to know the history of horticulture here in the US then this is probably the best place to start. … Continue reading this article “Fruits and Plains”
Tag: garden books
Right and Left
Just got a picture of the cover of a new book I’ve got coming up soon. It’s a collaborative project with an old friend of mine who is a political science professor at UNC Charlotte. We look at a bunch of different environmental issues, different things that the government could do about these issues, and then we rate these options by how the well the right and left wingers would like them. Sure to tick people off! … Continue reading this article “Right and Left”
The No-Work Garden Book
Occasionally one of the GPs will blog about a book that’s particulary good – or not. I was given a copy of Ruth Stout’s No-Work Garden Book a few years ago and frankly hadn’t given much more than a passing glance. But last week I thumbed through it and was immediately struck by the quality of science this self-taught gardener brought to her writing.
Much of Ruth’s gardening practices included the use of organic mulch on vegetable gardens, and she regularly wrote to scientists to ask for their interpretation of “expert” advice. … Continue reading this article “The No-Work Garden Book”
If I’ve seemed distracted for the last few months, this is why
I just got this today – it releases in February!
Isn’t it a great cover?
And this one came out the week before Christmas – my holiday gift to myself! (You try riding herd on 21 different authors and see if you like it!)
Getting these books done was a major milestone, and I hope that this year I might have time for some new projects.
Happy New Year!
To Prune Or Not To Prune, That Is The Question…
“Dabney! No! Wait!” Just kidding. Dabney Blanton, our lovely and talented horticulturist, knows not to prune the Artemisia in the autumn.
I imagine most gardeners have experienced a frost or freeze by now [exceptions: our Southern Hemisphere readers (howdy to Jimbo)…or anyone in the deeeeep south].
The perennials here in Blacksburg have taken a couple of hits; time to start trimming things back. In the Hahn Horticulture Garden and in my own personal garden, we like to leave perennials and ornamental grasses up as long as possible – gives us something to look at besides mulch, plus the wee birdies enjoy it.… Continue reading this article “To Prune Or Not To Prune, That Is The Question…”
Blog bizarre
Jeff’s post yesterday gave me the perfect opportunity to showcase the star of my bizarre book collection.. It’s called “Evolution of Botany: More Fact Than Theory” written and published by Benjamin Zarr (author of several other books, including “Evolution: No One Can Break Down My Theory!”) Jeff, he’s written more books than you and I put together.
This book was “willed” to me by a dear colleague at Buffalo State College after he retired. When I first received it, I tried to read a chapter, but found it impossible to finish. … Continue reading this article “Blog bizarre”
As Bad As It Gets?
Last week I took a look at old, out of print books that are worth finding and reading. This week I think I’ll take a slightly different track and instead turn my attention to a book that is currently in print, but which shouldn’t be. In fact, 1001 All-Natural Secrets to a Pest-Free Property by Myles H. Bader can be found in many bookstores, was actually one of the best selling garden books of 2006, and is still selling today. … Continue reading this article “As Bad As It Gets?”
Old Books
It’s a rainy day in the upper Midwest. My favorite time to read. Of course, I should be writing papers, grading papers, or setting up seminars for next semester. But instead I’m drawn to my bookshelves. In most professors offices that I visit the shelves are an odd mix of old and new books that focus on the particular subject which that professor works on, along with the scientific journals that relate to that discipline. It’s no different in my office, except that I tend towards older books and my tastes are just a little bit more eclectic than most. … Continue reading this article “Old Books”