Price : $10.95

Product Description

Gardeners throughout the region will be welcoming a thoroughly updated and fresh-looking 8th edition of the bible of Western gardening. With a new, easy-to-read design, more plant photography, larger illustrations, and more than 8,000 plant listings–500 of them new–it’s THE essential book for gardeners in the Western states. What plants to grow, how to nurture them, and where they do the very best–it’s all here. You’ll also find updated information on the Western climate zones, 30 Plant Selection Guides, plus a Practical Guide to Gardening with basic advice on plant care and essential gardening techniques. New plant lists reflect current trends, such as Mediterranean gardening and easy-care plants for beginners. For more than 70 years, Sunset has been the source for no-nonsense gardening advice, easy-to-follow diagrams, and encyclopedic knowledge of plant varieties. In this edition, we introduce an exciting new feature: gardening tips from well-known plant experts throughout the West. The Western Garden Book has never been better! Features:

8th Edition of this perennial bestseller

More than 8,000 plant listings, 500 new, keyed to climate zones

30 Plant Selection Guides to find the perfect plant for every situation

Special contributions from 40 eminent Western garden experts

Introduction by Sunset garden editor Kathleen N. Brenzel, with a photographic tour of gardens that are truly the `Best of the West’ gardens

Customer Reviews

Review date : 2008-11-29
This is the "Bible" of Western gardening, and I have owned various editions myself over the years. This was purchased as a gift.

Review date : 2008-09-22
I have relied on Sunset’s Western Garden Book, in its various issues, for many years. From time to time, about every 3-4 years or so, they re-publish it. This particular issue has become my favorite "Working Bible" and I keep one copy in the house for reference and another in my garden/yard supply area. I bought this copy to give to my daughter and her husband, to introduce them to gardening in the Northwest, and to reduce the number of times I have to answer her questions by phone. Now I can simply refer her to the appropriate page of her own "Sunset Garden Book".

The two or three recent re-issues of Sunset’s Western Garden Book have become more "posh" and sophisticated, like coffee-table issues, not meant for nitty-gritty work in the yard.

The particular volume I bought on Amazon was in incredibly perfect condition; my guess is that the original owner had never even opened it (it was inscribed as a Christmas gift from his parents!) And the price was amazing.

Review date : 2008-09-19
I ordered 2 books, going to 2 different addresses, & they both came right on time.

Review date : 2008-09-19
I purchased this book as a textbook requirement for a college horitculture class. Since purchase, it has become an very valuable tool both in my class work and my personal garden planning. I would highly recommend this book regardless of your level of experience in the dirt! It may clear up some very common questions you may have!

Review date : 2008-09-14
I have not come across a book that actually tells which plants would thrive in specific regions in the Bay Area. My roommate said it’s the bible for gardening here in California.

It is never possible to entirely rid your garden of weeds, but even weeds that seem difficult to remove can be overcome and with persistent effort and a lot of patience annual weeds will diminish each season if you keep on killing off the seedlings before they can flower and generate more weed seeds.

Once you have managed to reduce the population of weeds a programme of mulching and prompt weed clearance as soon as they appear will keep your garden almost weed-free.

Don’t be fooled into thinking this is a quick process however, as weed clearance can take a couple of garden seasons before weeds are effectively removed. It is more evident if you have been neglecting your garden so keep on top of things for great results.

Deep-rooted perennial weeds and the types of weeds that have long roots which penetrate deep into the ground are best removed by using a fork to dig them up. Use the fork to make the roots loose and hold the weed stem as close to the base as possible when you pull it out of the ground, ensuring you pull up the whole of the weed if possible.

If you do not manage to pull out all of the root then new weeds will continue to grow.

Using to hoe to control weeds is another good method of weed management, but it is a job which needs to be carried out regularly. Make sure to hoe the garden beds and borders and remember not to neglect the vegetable garden if you have one.

Weedkillers are another useful option in the battle against weeds and are very helpful if you need to clear an area of weeds quickly and efficiently. Some types of weedkiller have been designed to kill only the top growth of weeds allowing you to plant in the same area after a day or so of applying the weedkiller.

Some types of weedkiller have been designed to kill the whole weed, including the root. Depending on the type of weedkiller and the weed to be removed you may need to either spray the affected area or paint the weedkiller formulation directly onto the weed itself.

Always consult the directions that accompany the weedkiller before use and if in doubt ask for advice at your local garden centre or weedkiller supplier.

Another effective method of controlling weeds is to use mulch, especially in the vegetable and fruit garden. Plastic sheeting placed around the base of plants and vegetables is also a money-saving method of keeping weeds to a minimum, however it can sometimes not be that attractive from an aesthetic point of view in the garden.

When applying a mulch, such as chipped bark, garden compost or cocoa shells, make an effort to clear the ground of all weeds first and then spread the mulch at least 5cm (2in) thick. Ensuring an even layer of mulch to the appropriate thickness should keep most weeds from growing through the mulch layer.

Keep up the battle against weeds in your garden and you will be rewarded with less and less weeds in the garden every season.

For further advice and timely tips on all aspects of gardening, please visit The Seasonal Gardener

For specific gardening jobs and tips, please visit The Seasonal Gardener website.

It is not difficult to grow bedding plants from seeds, and you may be surprised to know you do not need to have a greenhouse or some hot room to grow them in. I have managed to grow my plants by placing them in an old carton/pot covered in a polythene bag. However, please remember to leave the pot where sunlight can get to it, i.e., a window ledge or a balcony.

In a previous article I have advised purchasing seedlings and bulbs from places like, a local fair or pound shop ( quite a phenomena here in the UK). Most magazine tend to have quite good offers on seedlings as well. Alternatively you can buy a young plant which means you do not have to incubate them like the seedlings.

Bedding plants are cheaper when bought in trays and can be bought from most garden centres and the like. Although, if you can afford it, it maybe worthwhile buying them in pots as they generally tend to grow better.

Alternatively you can buy young plants, called plugs, but please do check for obvious signs, such as leaves going yellow or mouldy.

Gardening can be cheap and fun as well and if done regularly, does not really need to take up a lot of time. A simple well kept lawn, surrounded by small flower beds, can make a big difference to your garden. Remember a lot of these items can be bought online for real cheap. Check out www.lawn-mower-parts.info, for further information.

Do remember to water your plants regularly, especially in hot weather.

John Sanders

Took up gardening recently and really enjoying it.

http://www.lawn-mower-parts.info