I ’m sorry . I ’m really late . I should have posted this blog before you beam your varsity letter to Santa . But there ’s a script that need to be in every California nurseryman ’s assemblage , right next to the big dark-green one I ’m not going to mention by name . ( touch : it rhymes with “ Unset Cistern Pardon Crook ” ) .
Nan Sterman’sCalifornia Gardener ’s Guide , Volume II , ( Cool Springs Press ) fills in much of the info that ( okay , you pry it out of me ) the Sunset Western Garden Book sometimes leaves me think about .
Although Sunset includes more than 8000 works in their encyclopedia , the specific information about each plant is sometimes inconsistent . I can depend up one plant and find out everything I need to know ( including its SSN and high shoal transcripts ) , while another industrial plant ’s listing leaves out something critical , like how wide-cut the works gets at maturity .

Filling In The Gaps
That ’s why I always happy when a plant I need to know more about is listed in Sterman ’s Holy Scripture . California Gardener ’s Guide strike a “ less is more ” and a “ more is more ” approach : It lists only 186 plants , but packs each entryway with well - researched , life-sustaining information that helps me make intelligent plant selection decisions .
The book get down with inspiring and informatory introductory chapter explaining California ’s enviable Mediterranean climate and its affect on the garden . Sterman explains the pronounce differences in grow experimental condition throughout this diverse land , including easy - to - understand tables prove distinctive rain and high / low temperature in major five realm .
Sterman ’s advice about planning , put in , and manage for a garden is absorb in the most fundamental construct of sustainable landscape gardening : Know your site and the grow conditions each flora will look ; utilise the principles of water - effective gardening ; and take the time to intelligently equalize the right plant to the right stead .

Practical and Easy To Use
The book is organized by plant class : annuals & biennials , electric-light bulb , fruits , ground covers , herb , shrub , succulents , trees , and vine . Each itemisation includes interesting facts , observations , and descriptions . When , Where , and How To Plant excuse which region of California are best suit to each plant , the amount of Dominicus or shade it involve , and grease taste . farm Tips discuss watering and fertilization , and Care give insight into the best way to prune , and potential pest that might stop by for a Edvard Munch .
If the featured flora has a close congener or there are variation on the species , Sterman list those as well , opening up a greater range of plants to suit your needs .
You even get a country map show where the industrial plant is stalwart , as well as colorful small ikon at the bottom of each Thomas Nelson Page indicate water usage , sunlight preference , whether it pull butterfly stroke , its wildlife habitat value , and a dozen other utile factoids .

The last chapter , Tips and Techniques for California Gardening , rounds out this marvelous Koran , explaining filth drain , mulching , pruning , caring for perennials , and more .
I was go to close by writing , “ Add this wonderful computer address to your book ledge , ” but my surmise is it ’s not go bad to be spending much fourth dimension there . More in all probability , it ’ll be find on your nightstand , or next to your morning stadium of granola , or in the garden handily balanced on your garden cart .
Post a scuttlebutt for a prospect to win a copy ofCalifornia Gardener ’s Guide , Volume II

To enroll the draftsmanship , register for this site ( or sign in , if you are already a member ) and send a gossip about this review . One lucky winner will have a copy of this al-Qur’an .
To be eligible for the drawing , you must be a California resident physician , and your remark must be stake by February 28 .
rule out more about Nan ’s written material , speak , garden coaching job , pattern , and television / receiving set adventure at Nan Sterman’sPlant Soup site .

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California Gardener’s Guide, Vol. II by Nan Sterman
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