Customer Reviews (12)

Excellent Book!
This is the go-to book for Florida gardening!If you are new to FL and want to raise vegies, this is the book you need.Even if you have gardening expertise, you will need some more info for Florida gardening as it is quite different!

A Cracker Must
Growing vegetables in Florida is different than anywhere else in the U.S. Recent transplants (human variety) and snowbirds (human variety) need the kind of guidance offered here. If they try to raise crops as they did in Iowa or Tennessee, they'll fail every time.

Vegetable Gardening in Florida is very useful!
This book is a must have for anyone who wants to know what and when to plant in Florida. It is a very user friendly book and has lots of good photos along with lots of good information. My porch roof leaked and mine got wet and ruined and I immediately ordered a new one. I would not be without it!

Vegetable Gardening in Florida
This book is a must for anyone who is trying to grow vegetables in Florida.The information pertinent to Florida is invaluable.

Informative
Nice book, good pictures and procedures.Very informative for people who have not gardened in Florida before. ... Read more

Product Description
The joy of herb gardening is that it is relatively easy and rewarding. Part gardening book, part health and beauty manual, this volume provides a guide to a range of herbs, illustrating how they can be grown for best effect and offering ideas on their use, either medically or in the cooking pot. ... Read more

Product Description
Features advice on all aspects of growing herbs--from buying and planting them to caring for and harvesting them--and includes a section on designing an herb garden and information on drying herbs and creating potpourri. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

worth the money
this is the only book i have found that gives wonderful pictures and a great discriptions. It dicribes each herb giving history identification, cultivation and how to use. It also has a symble key for easy id of theuses. Though it does not list all the uses of plants but ovre all great ... Read more

Product Description
In the flavoring of prepared dishes we Americans - people, as the French say, "of one sauce" - might well learn a lesson from the example of the English matron who usually considers her kitchen incomplete without a dozen or more sweet herbs, either powdered, or in decoction, or preserved in both ways.

A glance into a French or a German culinary department would probably show more than a score; but a careful search in an American kitchen would rarely reveal as many as half a dozen, and in the great majority probably only parsley and sage would be brought to light. Yet these humble plants possess the power of rendering even unpalatable and insipid dishes piquant and appetizing, and this, too, at a surprisingly low cost. Indeed, most of them may be grown in an out-of-the-way corner of the garden, or if no garden be available, in a box of soil upon a sunny windowsill - a method adopted by many foreigners living in tenement houses in New York and Jersey City.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Give this one a miss....
Sigh, I was expecting so much more than I got.No linked table of contents so finding information istedious, no pictures, VERY poor formatting, no spaces between paragraphs and titles not able to be distinguished from text, entries run into each other and sadly the list goes on.Don't bother buying this, I'm sure there are many better titles which are actually useful.For the money I paid ( $2) it was a waste. ... Read more

Product Description
As the enthusiasm for food gardening and self-reliance continues to grow, a new generation of foodies, gardeners, crafters, and DIYers is discovering the versatility of herbs as a source of flavor, fragrance, healing, and comfort.

In Homegrown Herbs, Tammi Hartung provides the definitive guide to planting, growing, harvesting, and using more than 100 herbs. An internationally renowned herbalist, teacher, and certified organic grower, Hartung has filled this indispensable reference with a wide range of information gathered from her 30 years of studying and working hands-on with these amazing plants.

Homegrown Herbs is a step-by-step primer for gardeners of every level. It includes in-depth profiles of 101 cultivars, including information on seed selection, planting, maintenance and care, harvesting, drying, and uses in the kitchen, home pharmacy, crafting, and body care. Hartung supports these profiles with an array of herb garden designs, illustrations, and at-a-glance charts. Sensational four-color photographs by Saxon Holt bring the information to life, and an introduction by renowned herbalist rosemary Gladstar highlights the importance of the book to both individuals and the planet as a whole.

Packed with valuable information, Homegrown Herbs is much more than an encyclopedia of herbs -- Hartung shares her passionate and compelling vision for a world that is filled with greater abundance, pleasure, joy, and compassion. With Hartung as a guide, readers will find that growing herbs is more than simply a practical act; it is also an inspired one that brings beauty, flavor, and healing to the everyday...and to the world at large. ... Read more

Product Description
As visually appealing as it is practical, Gifts from the Herb Garden suggests innovative and delightful uses for both fresh and dried herbs, from bountiful wreaths and graceful garlands to personal fragrances. There's even a special section on herbs for the holidays. Full-color photographs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Gifts from the Herb Garden
So glad I purchased this book to add to my vast Herb Book collection. The third book by Emelie Tolley.I also have 10 years of Emelie Tolleys Herb Calenders, unfortunately no longer published. Herbal Gifts are great to give especially at Christmas and this book contains some great gift ideas.

Extremely Inspiring
This is a truly visually beautiful book.Reading this book made me wish that I could live such an "herbal" lifestyle.There are not a lot of "recipes", or step-by-step guides for making herbal gifts,just beautiful pictures and good general information. This book reallyinspired me to try to make the many beautiful handmade gifts from the herbgarden.I loved it. ... Read more

Product Description
Starting a herb garden is made easier with this guide, which advances new techniques, dispels common herb growing myths, and clarifies the basics for creating healthy, vigorous plant starts for a herb garden. How to sow seeds directly into the ground, start seedlings indoors under lights, induce stem tip cuttings to root, and create new plants by dividing and layering are all covered in detail. An abundance of colour photographs ensure success even for the brown-thumbed beginner. With updated information and an expanded format, this is the only gardening book that herb lovers need. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Growing Herbs from Seed,Cutting & Root:An Adventure in Small Miracles
This book was in perfect condition and was shipped very quickly.Excellent!It's perfect for someone who has never grown herbs before; the instructions and directions are exact.It's very easy to read and to follow.

Another a top-notch reference
Another a top-notch reference from Thomas DeBaggio for herb- gardening enthusiasts. This offers detailed information and instructions for those who want to learn how to grow their own herb plants from seeds, cuttings or division. He covers a variety of herbs, from basic kitchen staples to more exotic types. Along with his book on basil, "Growing Herbs ... An Adventure in Small Miracles" has a choice spot on my bookshelf. ... Read more

Product Description
Featuring a thorough discussion on the propagation, planting, cultivation, harvest, processing, and drying of 75 specific herbs now used in the medicinal herb market, this complete book also includes information on average market prices and herbal safety and product standardization. 35 line drawings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Very little information about what the different herbs are used for.
It has all the information you need for starting your herb business, just dont expect to learn what people use the herbs for.

If you want to grow herbs commercially, read this
I counsel people on growing medicinal herbs commercially and this is the number one book I recommend to people considering starting a herb business.Lee Sturdivant provides inspirational stories from successful herb businesses around the nation.Tim Blakley provides an extensive listing of a wide variety of popular medicinal herbs and the most up-to-date information on how to grow them.Harvesting, packaging, and marketing information is also provided.Excellent book!I hope the authors will keep this one updated for us.

Everything you need to know...and more
This is an amazing book.When my husband and I began to consider the cultivation of medicinal herbs as a retirement project, The Bootstrap Guide was recommended to us by Heather McNeill of Frontier Herbs, a majormedicinal herb marketer.

The Bootstrap Guide to Medicinal Herbs exceededmy expectations.In addition to an overview of the medicinal herbindustry, there are profiles of growers and herbal product manufacturers,growing requirements, and detailed instructions for propagation,cultivation, harvesting, and marketing, including questionaires filled outby herb marketing companies such as Frontier and Celestial Seasonings. These questionaires alone are worth the price of the book, giving suchinformation as minimum purchase quantities, preference for fresh or dried,organic or non-organic, and market projections.

In addition, there is athorough discussion of the ethics of wildcrafting and the need to developdomesticated sources for the many herbs whose popularity has made themendangered species. All this in a friendly, concise, well-written 318pages.

If herb-growing or market gardening forms a part of your life, oryour plans, read this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Herbs have been highly prized for centuries because of theirculinary, medicinal and cosmetic properties.Their popularitycontinues today with the modern focus on healthy living.The CompleteBook of Herbs is an invaluable and comprehensive guide to home herbcultivation that everyone, from herbal enthusiasts to novicegardeners, will appreciate.

The first of two main sections clearly explains both modern andtraditional growing techniques for successful and rewarding gardeningat home.Practical step-by-step sequences complemented by instructivecolor photographs demonstrate exactly how to: plan and design abeautiful herb garden; combine herbs for fragrance, healing andcooking; produce a perfect container garden; and grow and store herbsindoors.

The second section is an encyclopedia that details over 150 commonand lesser-known varieties of herbs, providing growing tips andessential information on their many beneficial properties.Clearinformation about each herb listed and their related species forinstant recognition and identification is also provided.Amazon.com Review
Herbs have a long and illustrious history as a source of medicine,fragrance, culinary flavoring, dye, and cosmetics. By the 19th century, they had fallen out of favor, but nowadays they are once again appreciated for their diverse uses. Many are attractive additions to the garden and are relatively easy to grow, and they provide a perpetual supply of materials for cooking, baking, and crafting. This attractive, hefty volume explains everything about growing all sorts of herbs, as well as planning and maintaining various types of herb gardens. An "A-Z of Herbs" explains uses and cultivation, and includes a color photo of each one. The lengthy cooking section features tempting recipes for soups, stews, roasts, picnics, vegetables, preserves, breads, pies, pastries, and beverages--all starring herbs, of course. A final section is devoted to herb-oriented craft projects: wreaths, nosegays, topiaries, potpourri, sachets, notecards, teas, as well as beauty products such as hair rinses, bath mixtures, and massage oils.

The authors have clearly thought out the gardening and cooking chapters,which are organized into logical subsections. The crafts chapter, however,is somewhat disjointed; why, for example, do we jump from lavender bubblebath to dandelion and thyme teas, then back to bath recipes? The craftprojects could easily have been grouped by theme, as is the cookingchapter, and a more thorough table of contents could then list thesesubsections so crafters could discover at a glance what's on offer. Thecontents page also neglects to list the subheads in the growing section,which again would have simplified reader navigation. But overall thecoverage is excellent, and the index is quite thorough in case anyone getslost. --Amy Handy ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Complete Book of Herbs
I just recently started my own business selling sachets and potpourri, and needed information on the different types of herbs, especially the aromatic ones.......this book has become my like a Bible for my business ... Read more

Product Description
"Herbs are the world's most interesting plants," says Howard Garrett. "They make beautiful landscape choices, are useful for cooking, controlling insect and disease pests, healing wounds, and are effective for improving the immune system." In this fully illustrated, easy-to-use guide, Garrett and veteran herbalist Odena Brannam offer expert advice on growing nearly 150 herbs suited to Texas and Southwestern gardens, along with detailed information on each plant's landscape, culinary, medicinal, and other uses. Individual entries give each herb's common and scientific names and instructions for planting, growing, harvesting, and storing it. The entries also include ideas for using each herb in gardening and cooking (with occasional recipes) and discuss its medicinal uses. A special "insight" section that offers intriguing, often little-known facts about the herb rounds out each entry, as well as a color photo. In addition to the individual herb descriptions, Garrett sets forth the basics of organic gardening, including pest control, and discusses how to design a herb garden and also raise roses, pecans, and fruit trees without chemicals. Of special interest are his instructions for making teas from dozens of herbs and his list of trees, shrubs, vines, and groundcovers with edible and/or medicinal properties. This wide range of information, not available for Texas herbs in any other single source, makes this book the perfect guide for homeowners, gardeners, landscapers, chefs, herbalists, and health care providers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good "all around" herb book
I've been an herb enthusiast for 15 years. With my personal home library of herb books reaching over 90 volumes, I've read many approaches to this topic. This particular book is large, full of quality color photos, and contains useful information for Texas herb growers (what I used to be). Latin names of herbs are given (along with proper pronunciation). Mr. Garrett includes pertinent information on planting, height and spread of plants, problems, harvest and storage, and culinary, medicinal, and landscape uses. One of my favorite portions of this book is the "insight" paragraph of each herb's profile. Did you know that there is evidence that alfalfa may trigger lupus in sensitive individuals? Also, did you know that although you can use angelica in salads, the juice of the plant should never come in contact with the eyes? I'd recommend this book for those new to herb growing or as an addition to an already diverse herb library. Mr. Garrett includes information that makes this book worth owning. My paperback copy has been a valuable resource. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Great Book
This is a great book for anyone interested in herbs.This edition has all the information on the herbs in one spot, unlike the first edition.I don't know what I would do without it.

New Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses
So far I am enjoying this new book I purchased. I have learned a lot I didn't know about some Herbs from it. I think I shall continue learning more and more. This is a very good book to me.

Excellent Resource
I purchased the first edition of this book on a lark.It was on a sales rack outside of borders.Over the past two years, I have repeatedly found this book to be an excellent, well stocked resource.I almost feel guilty about buying it at the sales price...almost.

BEST BOOK OUT THERE ON HERBS!
I am using this book as a study guide through one of my college courses on Botany.This book is loaded with so much clear cut information you couldn't ask for anything more!The detailed pictures that are shown throughout the book are absolutely beautiful.To have the visual along with the description is the best way to go.I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in herbology or just has a curiousity in herbs!Planting your own garden and knowing what you are growing is very helpful.

Why would you need any other book but this one?
You wouldn't.This book is by far the best herb reference book on the market today.Everything you want to know about growing and using herbs is in this book. Well worth the money spent. You'll use this book forever. ... Read more

Product Description
A selection of 61 of the finest articles from The Herbalist: Tastes in Tea; Spice Caravans; The Significance of Botanical Pesticides; and many more. Personal accounts describe every aspect of history, cultivation and enjoyment of herbs.
... Read more

Product Description
This definitive guide for those looking to start or expand their own herb business focuses entirely on fresh-cut herbs for the grower who supplies restaurants or supermarkets, vends at farmers markets, or sells from her own retail space. Discussed are the value of a business plan and how to find the right niche for the business. Whether selling to supermarkets, wholesalers, brokers, or caterers, growers will benefit from these business tips. Valuable advice is provided on financing; honoring local zoning laws; creating invoices and packing slips; managing employees; pricing and marketing; maintaining accounts; and increasing business. All aspects of building a greenhouse are addressed, from selecting a prime location and building a structure to the equipment needed to grow, including lights, thermostats, benches, and irrigation systems. Other topics include growing and nurturing plants from germination through harvest; assessing the needs of different herb crops and edible flowers; and harvesting and packaging the finished product.Amazon.com Review
Ready to turn your herb-gardening hobby into a business?Sandie Shores details the fundamentals of commercial herb growing in athorough, well-organized reference. Written from the vantage of theauthor's 14 years of experience in the business, the information ispractical and practicable. Profiles and anecdotes from othergrowers around the country are interspersed throughout the book.

The section on business basics starts with a thoughtful discourse onpersonal objectives and market research and continues with siteselection and a thorough list of potential customers, from restaurantsto distributors. The section on greenhouses for year-round growingincludes practical discussion on materials and construction, interiorlayout, and systems design, so there's no need to purchase a separategreenhouse reference. Further discussion of growing methods focuses onsustainability, and pest-management suggestions include preventativeawareness of life cycle and preferred environments. Handling andharvesting tips, uses, and specialized packaging advice are providedfor 14 different herbs, inclusive of the wide selection found in themajority of markets today. Lesser-known herbs are touched on, as areedible flowers. A list of resources and support publications concludesthe book.

The author takes the mystery out of this business,filling a near vacuum with this reference, but at the same timepresents the potential hazards and attention required. One caveat: theblack-and-white photos and sketches are generally useful, but onewishes for color pictures of the herbs themselves, given that part ofthe appeal of fresh herbs is the vibrant color and texture thatpromise romance to the nose and taste buds. --Molly McElroy ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

growing not selling
One chapter is on selling.All other chapters are on growing fresh cut herbs. Most herb growers fail because they do not market their product intensely enough. This book does not help in that regard. Just growing it won't get it sold.

A good start
It's obvious Sandie Shores put a lot of effort, time and heartfelt advice into this reference book, and it contains a lot of useful advice for the beginning grower.

I've been referring to this book for several years now; I have grown herbs for many years and built a greenhouse business around it. I would like to comment on a few shortcomings of this book, in hopes that those individuals choosing to go into the culinary herb growing field will refer to additional sources of information, rather than relying strictly on this one source.

- One major problem is Ms. Shores' lack of emphasis toward maintaining *healthy* plants to effectively prevent disease and pests to begin with. She instead talks only about how to deal with pests and diseases. The more I study disease and pest control, the more I find increased emphasis on maintaining healthy plants as the best defense. Growers are now becoming aware of techniques that increase brix in plants which is a natural pest fighter, and improving and restoring healthy soil conditions through organic practices, composting, and remineralization. I have found that by greatly increasing the plant's health I have been able to effectively fight disease and pests rather than resort to time-consuming and redundant spraying which only makes me feel like I'm sometimes fighting a losing battle.

- I have found contradictory or missing information compared to other resources. I had to discover through another reference that I was overwatering my bay laurel trees; there is no mention in her book that they require less water than other plants. In fact, there is no mention on how much water to give bay laurel at all.

- She says mint doesn't do well in containers--I have personally found that is the only way to grow them (otherwise they are too much work) and they do very well. Refer to "Bountiful Container" by McGee and Stuckey on how to successfully grow mint in containers.

- There is no mention of White Dalmatian Sage, the best sage for culinary use.

- Ms. Shores claims that French Tarragon must be allowed to go dormant in the winter. However, "Bountiful Container" describes a method where you can continue to grow it through the winter.

- Ms. Shores says oregano is a slow grower; McGee and Stuckey say it's a rapid grower. I think it depends on the growing environment, but it can be a rapid grower given the proper conditions.

- There is no mention of fusarium oxysporum under the basil section, an untreatable, devastating fungus that can potentially wipe out your entire sweet basil crop and persist in the soil for up to 12 years. I had to find a short description of it under the soil-borne diseases section. I feel this is such an important aspect to growing basil, a very popular culinary herb, that there should have been a lot more emphasis on becoming aware of and identifying this disease. Shane Smith's book, Greenhouse Gardeners Companion, says it's believed that fusarium oxysporum now infects most of the world's supply of basil seeds. He recommended buying fusarium-resistant (Nufar) seeds and named the sources where you can buy them.

- This book lacks a simplified reference to identifying plant problems. I tried looking up black spots on the basil leaves in this book but could not find any advice. Greenhouse Gardener's Companion has an excellent reference chart for looking up this kind of information.

- Very puzzling, at the time of writing this review, her recommended sources for packaging supplies listed in her appendix and her website did not carry the suggested items. I've found other very useful vendors on the web that provide the supplies I needed, like clamshell packages and plastic bags for delivery.

- Sometimes there was confusion whether she was talking about growing in the greenhouse versus field growing, or container growing versus bed growing.

- If you're just starting out and will seek outside funding for your new herb business, the most important step is creating a detailed business plan. Even though there is a chapter devoted to business planning, there's no specific, helpful guidance on how to develop one. And here's some practical advice I've discovered on my own that you also won't find in this book: if you don't have experience as a grower professionally for many years, you won't even be considered for a bank or SBA loan. Smart Money magazine confirmed this with an article of theirs--banks will fund only 2% of new businesses, SBA only 6%, while 50% of new businesses will buy capital expenditures through the use of personal credit cards.

I've stopped producing plants for cutting and instead grow herb and vegetable plants and container gardens to sell directly to the consumer. There is more satisfaction (and more money) in this, and when I discovered that wholesale distributors were selling basil in the middle of summertime for $5.50/lb, I knew I couldn't compete with those prices and pay myself a wage. Ms. Shores' book correctly states you will not get rich selling fresh cut herbs.

Ms. Shores does give excellent, useful advice on building and maintaining a greenhouse, and how to efficiently harvest herbs for packaging and selling.

Other fantastic growing references: "Bountiful Container," "The Green Thumb Garden Handbook," "Secrets to a Successful Greenhouse and Business," "Herbs in Pots," "Fresh Culinary Herb Production," "Basil: An Herb Lover's Guide," and ATTRA-dot-org on the web (sorry, Amazon won't let me put the URL in this review).

Excellent Manual
I gained a lot of insight from this book and have been marking pages and referring to it constantly.I even followed the pattern mentioned for building raised beds and it is working out great.I would have liked to see more about growing organically.

It is definitely a great source for growing your own herbs.Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description

Gardening expert Jack Staub continues his stimulating series on unique additions to your garden with 75 Exceptional Herbs for Your Garden.

Customer Reviews (3)

good coffeetable book
This book has a nice look and feel to it, with color illustrations of the plants, and easy to read language.So I enjoy owning it.On the down side, about half of the content seems to be pulled from Wikipedia.

A Great Guide to Herbs
Author Jack Staub, a former actor who now resides at the renown Hortulus Farm in Bucks County, PA, with his famous garden-designer partner Renny Reynolds, does a wonderful job in presenting the information in 75 EXCEPTIONAL HERBS FOR YOUR GARDEN.Occassionally he will praise the plant but advises to buy the herb or oil at the local health food store as the processing is best left to another.And some plants are available in the wild.But the main idea is to encourage the construction of an herb garden of one's own, in full sun with light sandy soil, and reap the benefits.This is an interesting and well-researched book that gardeners will enjoy.

fabulous book
I love this series of books, beautifully designed, bound, written and illustrated. The price is unbelievably low for the quality. ... Read more

Product Description
Bertha Reppert's historical how to is a unique union of North American herbal history and solid, useful information for today's home gardener and cook -- including over 75 modernized antique recipes that range from rose petal sandwiches to strawberry facials.North America was a veritable eden of wild growth.There were an estimated 8,000 plants found here in the 17th and 18th centuries and only a half dozen or so were then known in England and Europe.Today, few people know the native herbs from the newcomers but summaries of over 230 native American herbs -- which include facts on their distributions, identification and uses. ... Read more

Product Description
Take a visual tour of the growing process. This book guides you from seed to sativa. There are pictures of all necessary equipment and the different stages of growth, demonstrating exactly what is needed to get started.

The book is divided into specific phases. Each one is packed with helpful hints about everything from manicuring and odor control, to differentiating between the male and female plants. Both organic and hydroponic gardening are included in detail. For troubleshooting tips, there is an appendix, which covers a wide range of topics like preventing nutrient deficiencies, or effective ways to conquer the pesky insects that can prey on indoor gardens.

Nothing has been left out which makes Easy Marijuana Gardening perfect for beginners while experienced growers will find it helpful to avoid common mistakes. Over 30 years of research has been condensed into a single book ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

* * * * * Go Garden Grow! * * * * *
This book is great for the casual smoker that wants to learn to grow but doesn?t plan on becoming a full-scale commercial grower. It?s easy to understand combination of graphs, lists, and high quality images are easy on the eyes and entertaining to the brain. Easy Marijuana Gardening will provide anyone with the know-how to set up a small plot in their basement or closet (or any other place indoors) with little fuss. I definitely recommend this book for a good brief read; at 73 pages this book can?t be beat.

Not very good.
Like most of the grow books this contains basic information that most growers need but there was a complete lack of information regarding how to actually set up a system. Save your money and buy a different book.

A great book for beginners
Two months ago, I had an interest in growing, but no real idea about where to begin.Thanks to Ed's book, which abounds with step-by-step instructions, huge full-color pictures, and simple cost-effective growing tips, I now have a closet garden with nine healthy females to be harvested in just a few weeks.I'm no horticulturalist, but the instructions in EMG are so easy to follow that I'm set for smoke for a good long time!Thanks Ed!

No help to a grower.
I've read a lot of marijuana grow books and this has to be the worst I've ever read. I even find it hard to believe that this comes from the great writer Ed Rosenthal, for years I'd followed his articles and columns with wonder at the endless supply of knowledge he posses, but this book doesn't even give you enough informnation to grow one plant! For anyone that wants to learn how to grow, either on a small scale or large I'd recommend Marijuana Grower's Guide by Mel Frank or Marijuana Grower's Handbook by Ed Rosenthal. These books may be older and not as flashy as this but they contain everything any grower would ever need to know.

A FUN READ
As someone who has much more experience with smoking marijuana than with growing it, I found this book to be informative and entertaining.Clearly, Ed is trying to expand his horizons with this book by reaching out to a completely new audience that approaches the subject in a more casual manner.The book has a great look to it and is filled with photos that work hand-in-hand with the text to give the reader as much info as possible in the simplest manner possible.The text avoids the statistics and elaborate details that characterize Ed's other books and sticks to the basics.Granted, this book is not for the "professional" pot grower but rather for the other 95% of us who have at some point considered growing their own weed.This book is perfect for the novice grower or anyone who has a casual interest in marijuana.To sum up, it's fun to read, has many pictures and is fast moving.

BOSCO IN CA ... Read more

Product Description
This book is a veritable treasure-trove of garden, landscaping and herbal information and lore, presenting a variety of landscaping designs complete with layout plans. James Adams includes descriptions of the more than 600 herbs incorporated in the plans, recipes, medicinal uses, cultural requirements, herbs for a fragrant garden, useful charts and tables, and splendid line drawings and illustrations. This is a book that herb enthusiasts as well as general gardeners will want to have on their shelves.Amazon.com Review
We think of herbs as food, or as medicine, but we don't often think ofthem as aesthetic objects. Gardeners are taught to grow herbs for areason--these are plants that should be harvested. The author ofLandscaping with Herbs, James Adams, aims to show readers how toappreciate herbs as decorative plants. He wants to illuminate theirhidden potential, their "other half." Because herbs are so integralto our lives, Adams believes they should be more integral to the garden,sharing in a gardener's landscaping fantasy as much as tulips or magnoliatrees.

This coffee-table book is mostly text, with a few scatteredphotographs, and the prose is a dense mixture of ideas. A chemist bytrade, Adams has a complex mind, even going so far as to classify "thevolatiles that we perceive as odors released by both flowers andfoliage." One highlight: a section on the many ways to landscape afragrant herbal garden, scattering jasmine and rosemary so that eachgarden room is flooded by a distinct natural perfume. --Emily White ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Herbs Aren't Just for Cooking Anymore!
This is an idea book. A book that every time it's read another point of interest is noted. Mr. Adams really loves his herbs and wants to make a successful herb gardener out of each of us. More than that, though, he wants us to expand the way we think of herbs to include common culinary herbs in our landscape.

There are six major chapters that include; creating a Fragrant Garden, a Formal Garden for Beauty, a Beneficial Formal Garden, an Informal Landscape, a Contemporary Landscape, and a Wild Landscape.

Much appreciated is how each chapter introduces the reader to a myriad of herbs including specific named varieties of well known herbs. For instance, instead of just Thyme, many different Thymes are mentioned and discussed and often a photograph of that plant is included. Also, in each chapter are plans for using the herbs and several color photos of the herbs actually being used in the landscape. This realistic view of the plants is a big help when choosing plants for the landscape.

There are also useful, fun tidbits on many other aspects of using herbs including information on Topiary Training, Knot Gardens and Kitchen Gardens. There are recipes too, like Meatballs with Lovage, Oregano, Savory and Basil, that make use of the herbs we grow.

A handy chart at the back of the book lists each plant and many of its physical characteristics such as zone and bloom season. There is also a use chart which lists the landscape use and herbal use of each plant.

It is easy to see why this book was honored by the American Horticultural Society as a Great American Gardening Book.

Herbs are Special
More and more people are realizing that herbs are special. In the garden they not only provide texture and fragrance, but they are also waterwise. This previously published book, now in paperback, provides the reader with information on more than 600 species and cultivars of herbs. John Adams explains how to use these herbs in a variety of garden types both formal and informal. Through this book I was introduced to new thyme species and prompted to plant a thyme garden. ... Read more