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harveyc
05-17-2012, 11:12 AM
Let's start a list of recommended reading for gardening resources. I sometimes hear someone mention a book that has been out for many years and wonder why I hadn't heard of it before. Maybe this list will help me and others get to them sooner!

In the past month I've heard three outstanding endorsements from very serious gardening people in Northern California and Texas of Fruits and Nuts by Susanna Lyle. I ordered my used copy from Amazon yesterday: Amazon.com: Fruit & Nuts: A Comprehensive Guide to the Cultivation, Uses and Health Benefits of Over 300 Food-producing Plants (9780881927597): Susanna Lyle: Books (http://www.amazon.com/Fruit-Nuts-Comprehensive-Cultivation-Food-Producing/dp/0881927597)

harveyc
05-17-2012, 11:15 AM
I've also own two versions (gave away a third) of Sunset's Western Garden Book which has been been good. I haven't personally looked at the current version: Amazon.com: The New Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (Sunset Western Garden Book) (9780376039200): Editors of Sunset Magazine: Books (http://www.amazon.com/The-New-Western-Garden-Book/dp/0376039205/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337270707&sr=1-1)

Gordonf
05-18-2012, 12:11 AM
I just got a copy of "Encyclopedia of Exotic Plants for Temperate Gardens" by Will Giles from Amazon. It's a very complete listing of tropical plants that can be grown in more northern gardens both with and without protection in winter. It has a large section on bananas and while Will doesn't list N. American garden zones, he DOES identify minimum temperatures for plants. In some cases, he says that a particular variety has not been grown long enough in the north to establish hardiness and recommends adventurous types to try it!

jasonlotp
05-18-2012, 01:52 PM
Harvey, Fruit and Nuts is tops in my opinion. A reasonably priced large volume with good details. Plus a lean toward Australian and New Zealand varieties we don't tend to hear about.