Pat Welsh S Southern California Gardening

First published in 1992, Pat Welsh's Southern California Gardening sold well over 40,000 copies and received great critical acclaim. The completely revised and updated edition includes 40 new color photographs plus new information on perennials, ornamental grasses, geraniums, and more. Monthly chapters discuss relevant gardening topicsclimate, plant selection, soils, fertilizers, and wateringand are accompanied by handy checklists to help gardeners stay organized. An assortment of sidebars and rules of thumb will prove useful to gardeners in any region. Beautifully photographed and written in Pat Welsh's warm and practical style, this is an indispensable guide for every southern California gardener.

In this completely revised and updated classic, beloved garden expert Pat Welsh shares how to garden the organic way. This latest edition includes 40 new color photographs; a simple month-by-month format that shows gardeners exactly what to do throughout the year; terrific advice on gardening with drought-tolerant and fire-resistant plants; and plenty of fresh information on organic soils, fertilizers, and pest control. Useful for newbies and seasoned green thumbs alike, Pat Welsh's Southern California Organic Gardening is the indispensable guide for every Southern Californiagardener.

Using full-color photos, the author shows you 272 perennials -- arranged according to month of bloom -- to grow in your garden so you can have wonderful color and texture from March through November -- and even winter interest throughout the coldest months of the year.

"An introductory overview of California's microclimates and soil types, along with a primer on general gardening techniques and a color-coded USDA zone map, prepares you to make your best effort as a gardener in California.

A band of family pets secretly embark on a mission to find a fish that has mysteriously disappeared in this illustrated middle grade tale of family and friendship. When Lillian turns six, her favorite gift is an extraordinary fish whose body shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow. But when the brand-new birthday fish disappears, Lillian is devastated. While she and her brothers try to unravel the mystery, the other family pets―the horse, the goat, the dog, the cat, the turtle, the spider, and the bird―secretly band together to find out what has happened to the little fish. A trail of clues soon leads the animals on a fantastic adventure along the river and deep into the woods, where they encounter new places and strange creatures. James Menk's delightful, lively tale of discovery and friendship will enchant readers of all ages. Louisa Bauer's captivating drawings bring this charming story of children and their pets to life.

People all around the world enjoy the hobby of gardening. They love planting tiny seeds in the soil and watching them sprout into mature plants. Gardening isn't just for adults, however. Kids can plan, create, and maintain their own gardens, too. Gardening for Kids is rich with ideas and instructions for making water gardens, flower gardens, vegetable gardens, perennial gardens, butterfly gardens, and landscape designs. Riding bikes, hiking, and playing sports aren't the only things you can do in the great outdoors. If you'd like a relaxing, rewarding way to spend time outside, you could start your very own flower garden. Follow these step-by-step instructions for preparing your garden plot and choosing flowers for shady and sunny locations, plus maintaining your garden by weeding, watering, and deadheading. Discover the difference between annuals and perennials, and find out what to plant to attract colorful birds and butterflies. Decorate your own gardening gloves and belt for carrying the tools you'll need to maintain a garden once it starts to grow. Whether you're planting in a big backyard or in containers that you can keep indoors, you can reap the rewards of successful flower gardening. Book jacket.

Master gardner Jerry Baker provides tips on growing flowers that include ideas on planning, selecting, planting and maintaining the contents of your garden.

In an appealing narrative style reminiscent of the writings of M.F.K. Fisher and Vita Sackville-West, this beguiling memoir takes readers on a stroll through the many gardens which acclaimed writer Pat Welsh has cultivated and loved. Accompanied by a wonderful array of vintage photos, excerpts from letters, and other memorabilia, All My Edens also includes a wealth of practical advice for gardening enthusiasts. 86 halftone photos & illustrations.