Plant Science for Gardeners: Essentials for Growing Better Plants

by Robert Pavlis

Overview

Understand how plants actually work to become a more successful, confident gardener. Science-based guide explains plant biology in practical terms, enabling gardeners to make informed decisions about watering, fertilizing, pruning, and troubleshooting based on how plants actually function.

Why Plant Science Knowledge Multiplies Garden Success:

When you understand what plants need and why, every garden decision becomes logical rather than guesswork. This knowledge prevents costly mistakes and maximizes plant health and productivity.

What You'll Understand:

• Plant nutrition fundamentals for providing exactly what plants need, when they need it
• Water management science that prevents both drought stress and root rot
• Photosynthesis optimization through proper light management and leaf care
• Growth regulation through pruning, training, and environmental manipulation
• Stress identification and response for healthier, more resilient plants

Practical Garden Applications:

Gardeners with plant science knowledge report fewer plant losses, better harvests, and greater confidence in trying new plants and techniques.

Garden smarter, not harder, through scientific understanding. Essential for gardeners ready to move beyond following rules to understanding principles.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780865719736
Publisher:	New Society Publishers
Publication date:	06/07/2022
Series:	Garden Science Series , #2
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.52(d)

About the Author

Robert Pavlis has been an avid gardener for over four decades. He is the owner and developer of Aspen Grove Gardens, a 6-acre botanical garden that features over 3,000 varieties of plants. Specializing in soil science, he has been an instructor for Landscape Ontario and is a garden blogger, writer, and chemist. The author of Building Natural Ponds and Soil Science for Gardeners, Pavlis is a well-known speaker whose audiences include Master Gardener groups, horticultural societies, orchid societies, and garden shows such as Canada Blooms and the FarmSmart conference. He teaches gardening fundamentals at the University of Guelph and garden design for the City of Guelph, Canada, where he currently resides.

Table of Contents

Introduction
   Introduction to Plant Science
   Organization of the Book
   Terms Used in This Book

1. Plant Basics
   Cells
   Xylem and Phloem
   Photosynthesis
   Plant Myth: Plants Raise the Oxygen Level in Homes
   ATP and the Energy Cycle
   Respiration
   Meristematic Cells
   Classification of Plants

2. Roots
   Root Basics
   Types of Roots
   Plant Myth: Feeder Roots Are Located Under the Dripline
   Effect of Gravity
   Cut Roots and Side Roots
   Plant Myth: Circulating Roots Continue to Circulate
   Conditions That Affect Root Growth
   Plant Myth: Transplant Solutions Grow Better Roots
   Root Growth in Winter
   Absorption of Water and Nutrients
   Plant Myth: Is Soil pH Important?
   Roots and Microbes
   Plant Myth: Purchased Mycorrhizal Fungi Are Good for Plants
   Plant Myth: Roots Grow Towards Water
   The Rhizosphere

3. Stems
   The Outer Structure of Stems
   Internal Structure of Stems
   Trichomes
   Buds
   How Stems Grow
   The Importance of Photosynthesis
   Underground Stems
   Plant Myth: Plant Bulbs after the Ground Is Frozen
   Plant Myth: Bearded Iris Should Be Planted with Rhizome Showing

4. Leaves
   Leaf Structure
   How Sun Affects Leaves
   Why Are Some Leaves Red?
   Plant Myth: Evergreen Needles and Oak Leaves Are Acidic
   Functionality of Damaged Leaves
   Natural Pesticides
   Signaling Between Plants
   Pest-Proof Leaves
   Water Stress and Wilting Leaves
   Leaf Abscission
   Variegated Leaves

5. Flowers
   Parts of a Flower
   Pollination
   What Causes Flowering?
   Why Do Plants Not Flower?
   Plant Myth: High Phosphate Grows More Blooms
   Tough Love for Plants
   Attracting Pollinators
   Enjoy the Bracts
   Dioecious and Monoecious Plants

6. Fruits and Seeds
   What Is a Fruit?
   The Importance of Fruit
   Different Types of Fruits
   Fruit Development
   Seed Development
   Suckering Tomato Plants
   Seeds from Non-Flowering Plants
   Soil Seed Bank

7. The Whole Plant
   Life Cycle of Plants
   Plant Dormancy
   Movement of Water
   Movement of Nutrients
   Plant Myth: Leaves Can Be Used to ID Nutrient Deficiencies
   Movement of Sugars
   Seasonal Sharing of Resources
   Overcoming Physical Damage
   How Do Plants Get Taller?
   Following the Sun
   How Light Affects Plant Growth
   Gravity

8. Woody Plants
   What Are Woody Plants?
   Structure of Woody Stems
   Where Does Wood Come From?
   Plant Myth: Newly Planted Trees Need to Be Staked
   Storage of Sugars
   Taproots vs. Fibrous Roots
   Composition of Wood
   Apical Dominance
   Healing Damage
   Plant Myth: Damage on Trees Should Be Painted
   Conifers

9. Environmental Factors
   Garden Hardiness Zones
   Dealing with Cold
   Protecting Plants from Cold
   Dealing with Heat
   Dealing with Water Extremes
   Adaptability of Plants
   How Climate Change Affects Gardens

10. Growing from Seeds
   When Is Seed Mature?
   The Seed Germination Process
   The Mysterious Cotyledons
   Why Do Seeds Stay Dormant?
   Breaking Dormancy
   Plant Myth: Seeds Can Have Double Dormancy
   Seed Storage
   Best Method for Starting Seeds Indoors

11. Selecting Seeds
   Basic Genetics
   Hybrids vs. Heirlooms
   GMO Seeds
   Days to Maturity
   Buying Unusual Seeds

12. Vegetative Reproduction
   Natural Vegetative Reproduction
   Rooted Stems and Leaves
   Artificial Vegetative Reproduction
   Plant Myth: Homemade Rooting Hormones Work Well
   Grafting

13. Plant Names
   Why Use Botanical Names?
   Naming Conventions
   The Proper Way to Name Your Plants

Index
About the Author
Connect with Robert Pavlis
About New Society Publishers

Editorial Reviews

"Robert Pavlis hit the nail on the head: know the science and you can grow anything. Plant Science for Gardeners, Pavlis' latest, is a sure (and enjoyable) way to learn that science. Mind you, Pavlis is not just a gardener who knows his science, he is a great science writer who does a fabulous job of making science fun. I am quite sure you are one read away from being a much better gardener."
— Jeff Lowenfels, author, DIY Autoflowering Cannabis and Teaming with Microbes

"A work of genuine importance by an author for whom the phrase "received wisdom" is a contradiction in terms. You will never take horticultural lore at face value again."
— James Armitage, editor, The Plant Review, magazine of the Royal Horticultural Society

"Knowing just how plants work is an interesting and useful way to ratchet up your gardening game and Robert Pavlis has provided that story in his engaging new book Plant Science for Gardeners. Read it and your garden will blossom, literally and figuratively."
— Lee Reich, author, Growing Figs in Cold Climates and The Ever Curious Gardener

"Robert Pavlis has provided another detailed, yet accessible, addition to gardeners' home libraries. Be sure to give Plant Science for Gardeners an honored place on your bookshelves, next to Mr. Pavlis' groundbreaking Garden Myths series."
— Rebecca Martin, technical editor, Mother Earth News magazine

"Plant Science for Gardeners is at once easy to read and comprehensive in presentation. Robert Pavlis has updated and made accessible information that in the past I have gleaned here and there from old textbooks and the odd gardening book. It's a great reference and a fascinating read. This book will be the next gift I buy for my budding botanist granddaughter!"
— Darrell Frey, author, The Bioshelter Market Garden, co-author, The Food Forest Handbook

"Whether you grow plants for fun or for profit, Plant Science for Gardeners does a great job of explaining how plants work without overcomplicating it. This is an excellent book not only for the basics, but also to explain some of the lesser known aspects of plants. Whether you've taken plant biology and physiology or not, it is a good read for anyone who's interested in plants, and to keep on the shelf as a reference for when you forget the difference between a node and internode. Get this book to understand what to do to keep your plants healthy and why."
— Andrew Mefferd, editor and publisher, Growing for Market magazine, author, The Organic No-Till Farming Revolution

From the Publisher