The Informed Gardener

<p>Winner of the Best Book Award in the 2009 Garden Writers Association Media Awards<br/><br/>Named an Outstanding Title in University Press Books for Public and Secondary School Libraries 2009<br/><br/>In this introduction to sustainable landscaping practices Linda Chalker-Scott addresses the most common myths and misconceptions that plague home gardeners and horticultural professionals. Chalker-Scott offers invaluable advice to gardeners gardeners who have wondered:<br/><br/>Are native plants the best choice for sustainable landscaping?<br/><br/>Should you avoid disturbing the root ball when planting?<br/><br/>Are organic products better or safer than synthetic ones?<br/><br/>What is the best way to control weeds-fabric or mulch?<br/><br/>Does giving vitamins to plants stimulate growth?<br/><br/>Are compost teas effective in controlling diseases?<br/><br/>When is the best time to water in hot weather?<br/><br/>If you pay more do you get a higher-quality plant?<br/><br/>How can you differentiate good advice from bad advice?<br/><br/>The answers may surprise you. In her more than twenty years as a university researcher and educator in the field of plant physiology Linda Chalker-Scott has discovered a number of so-called truths that originated in traditional agriculture and that have been applied to urban horticulture in many cases damaging both plant and environmental health. <i>The Informed Gardener</i> is based on basic and applied research from university faculty and landscape professionals originally published in peer-reviewed journals.<br/><br/>After reading this book you will:<br/><br/>Understand your landscape or garden plants as components of a living system<br/><br/>Save time (by not overdoing soil preparation weeding pruning staking or replacing plants that have died before their time)<br/><br/>Save money (by avoiding worthless or harmful garden products and producing healthier longer-lived plants)<br/><br/>Reduce use of fertilizers and pesticides<br/><br/>Assess marketing claims objectively<br/><br/>This book will be of interest to landscape architects nursery and landscape professionals urban foresters arborists certified professional horticulturists and home gardeners.<br/><br/>For more information go to: http://www.theinformedgardener.com</p>