Decoding Gardening Advice: The Science Behind the 100 Most Common Recommendations

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Overview

Covering more than 100 universal gardening "dos and don'ts," Decoding Gardening Advice is the first book to provide gardeners with the real answers. Jeff Gillman, the bestselling author of The Truth About Garden Remedies, and Meleah Maynard back up every good recommendation with sound horticultural and botanical science. Decoding Gardening Advice is the first and only hard-hitting, evidence-based book that every gardener needs for definitive advice on everything from bulbs, annuals, and perennials to edibles, ...
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Decoding Gardening Advice: The Science Behind the 100 Most Common Recommendations

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More About This Book

Overview

Covering more than 100 universal gardening "dos and don'ts," Decoding Gardening Advice is the first book to provide gardeners with the real answers. Jeff Gillman, the bestselling author of The Truth About Garden Remedies, and Meleah Maynard back up every good recommendation with sound horticultural and botanical science. Decoding Gardening Advice is the first and only hard-hitting, evidence-based book that every gardener needs for definitive advice on everything from bulbs, annuals, and perennials to edibles, trees, and soil care.
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Editorial Reviews

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Never water plants in direct sunlight. Only divide perennials in summer. Tilling is the best way to prepare a garden for planting. Gardens should always be mulched. Advice for gardeners fill the air; in fact, some confirmed green thumbers find it more vexing than weeds. Fortunately, plant experts Jeff Gillman (The Truth About Garden Remedies) and Meleah Maynard are here to scrutinize the scientific whys and wherefores of "expert" advice on everything from bulbs and annuals to edibles, trees, and soil care. As fascinating as it is demystifying and instructive.

Publishers Weekly
Before laying spade to the first row of soil or planting that first bulb, most gardeners hear plenty of advice—wanted or not—from a variety of sources. As horticulturist Gillman and master gardener Maynard point out in this fun-to-read guide, such words of gardening wisdom can tender good advice, debatable advice, or advice that’s just wrong. Covering subjects ranging from soil and water to lawn care, they explain each piece of advice before going into what will happen if you follow it; they then explain how to do each practice under discussion and offer their bottom-line opinion or recommendation (“the real dirt”) on the gardening practice. For example, the age-old counsel to water deeply and infrequently to encourage good root systems is good advice because such a method of watering allows plants to establish the deep, healthy root systems they need. Conversely, the authors point out that the advice to provide plenty of water to a lawn, especially in the heat of the summer, is just plain wrong, for overwatering plants causes their roots to suffocate. Although plenty of gardeners are likely to disagree with the authors’ advice, Gillman and Maynard’s entertaining guide to the scientific reasons behind each practice makes this a valuable guide for a gardener to have on the shelf next to the seed catalogues. (Jan.)
Booklist
“A well-researched, indispensable resource that belongs on every gardening shelf.”
San Francisco Chronicle
“Filled with simplified explanations based on current science, this slim, precisely organized handbook is good for a cover to cover read or as a handy reference guide to dip into as needed.”
The Pittsburg Post-Gazette

“Gillman's book is full of interesting and scientifically backed research. He's a welcome voice of reason amid a growing babble of self-appointed, uninformed gardening ‘experts.’”
— Susan Banks

Philadelphia Inquirer
"Whether you agree or not, the authors' recommendations and conclusions are explained and summarized. This is one smart, well-organized book."
— Virginia A. Smith
The Journal-Sentinel
"This is a fascinating, entertaining and useful book, written in a format that makes for quick reference."
— Mary-Liz Shaw
The East Oregonian
"[B]ogus information spreads like wildfire, especially with the advent of the internet. This handy book gives you the straight scoop on what's good, what's bad and what's iffy in the world of gardening."
— Renee Struthers-Hogge
Dallas Morning News
"If you’ve ever questioned a commonly repeated gardening tip and considered submitting it to Mythbusters for analysis, don’t bother. Just buy this book."
ForeWord Magazine
"...veteran gardeners and newly inspired green thumbs alike will learn to question what they're told before they create the vegetable garden, orchard, or suburban lawn of their dreams."
— Courtney Sorrell
The Pittsburg Post-Gazette - Susan Banks

“Gillman's book is full of interesting and scientifically backed research. He's a welcome voice of reason amid a growing babble of self-appointed, uninformed gardening ‘experts.’”

Philadelphia Inquirer - Virginia A. Smith
"Whether you agree or not, the authors' recommendations and conclusions are explained and summarized. This is one smart, well-organized book."
The Journal-Sentinel - Mary-Liz Shaw
"This is a fascinating, entertaining and useful book, written in a format that makes for quick reference."
The East Oregonian - Renee Struthers-Hogge
"[B]ogus information spreads like wildfire, especially with the advent of the internet. This handy book gives you the straight scoop on what's good, what's bad and what's iffy in the world of gardening."
ForeWord Magazine - Courtney Sorrell
"...veteran gardeners and newly inspired green thumbs alike will learn to question what they're told before they create the vegetable garden, orchard, or suburban lawn of their dreams."
Winston-Salem Journal

"This is a nuts-and-bolts book full of practical advice."

The Patriot-News

"This easy-to-read paperback is kind of like a Consumer Reports rundown on garden tips.”

The Chronicle Herald

“Looks at more than 100 of the so called dos and don’ts of gardening, and backs up their recommendations with hands-on research.”

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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781604692204
  • Publisher: Timber Press, Incorporated
  • Publication date: 12/13/2011
  • Pages: 224
  • Sales rank: 237,388
  • Product dimensions: 6.00 (w) x 8.90 (h) x 0.70 (d)

Meet the Author

Jeff Gillman is an associate professor in the department of horticultural science at the University of Minnesota, where he researches plant production and teaches courses on nursery management and pesticide use. He earned his doctorate in horticulture and a master's degree in entomology from the University of Georgia.

Meleah Maynard is a journalist, editor, and master gardener. Her work appears regularly in magazines, including The History Channel Magazine, Gardening How-To, Northern Gardener, and Midwest Home.

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