Library

PAGC LIBRARY

Most books are 1990’s versions unless otherwise noted. At this time these books are stored at Bobbie Daniels’ home and can be checked out by contacting her. Bobbie's contact information is in your Club Handbook.

All About Growing Fruits and Berries – 1976 – Ortho – Yikes, this paperback from Ortho, Chevron Chemical Company, includes information researched by several universities and extension services. It provides material on tree fruits, home gardening specialties, small fruits, space-saver training, pollination, pruning and grafting. Keeping our environmental goals in mind, make wise decisions when reading the pest and diseases section. (Other alternatives are available.)
Art of Dried Flowers
Big Ideas for NW Small Gardens - 2003 paperback with pictures. Topics are small gardens for the Front, Side, Pathways, Back, Balcony and Rooftop, Courtyard, Patio and Deck. This is an idea book that includes design, planning and planting ideas for small places.
Birdscaping Your Garden - Adams –The subtitle is A Practicle Guide to Backyard Birds and the Plants that attract Them. This is more descriptive of this book. Most of it is devoted to information on 64 birds, not specifically of the Northwest, and what native plants are best suited in your yard to attract them.
The Book of Country Herbal Crafts – Cusick- Herbs are in. Even old books will offer myriad ideas of what to do with your herbs. First there are a few pages on common/botanical names of herbs, a brief history, method of propagation, growing requirements, parts used, and harvesting information. Then there are some brief how-to’s on preserving and preparing herbs for crafts. A large section on wreaths follows then specific directions for making garlands, swags, arrangements, topiaries and many other creative items. Most of these projects require a large amount of dried material.
Book of Potpourri - Black – Beautiful pictorial with in-depth presentation of everything one would ever want to know about potpourri. Includes some history, many recipes, ideas and directions for making accessories, floral arrangements and drying techniques. A fun book to browse.
Botany in a Day – Elpel – Well, maybe not in a day. But this book takes the approach that if one studies the patterns in plants, learning to identify the plants and their uses together as groups and families, a short-cut to the study of botany and herbology has become available. The main sections are about the evolution of plants, how to use a key, some plant divisions, and the properties of plants.
Chemical Free Yard and Garden - Another 1990’s hard back reference book by Rodale. This book guides the gardener in making the switch to Organic Gardening. It includes a month by month garden calendar. It is much more science oriented explaining the reasons to go Organic.
Common Edible and Useful Plants -This little black and white reference book should be in your “bug out” bag. If you ever need to survive in the woods or just enjoy reading about how the Indians, pioneers and early Spanish-Americans used many of the common wild plants of the west, this is the book for you. (1976)
Complete Book of Hardy Perennials – Bird -The first half of this reference book is useful for the beginning gardener for the information on planning a garden, techniques for preparation, planting, propagation and tips on special areas such as woodland areas, perennials as container plants, and herb gardens. The last half lists hardy perennials. (The use of vernacular names of plants makes this a little difficult to use. Few color pictures.)
Creating/ Cattails, Cones, and Pods – Aldrich - This is a 1970’s craft/hobby type book. At first glance it seems too dated to be useful. However, the old standard craft ideas could be adapted to new areas such as fantasy flowers.
Creative Flower Arranging - Belcher - This book on floral design gives very clear illustrations and definitions of design terminology and concepts. It starts with a brief history of floral design, gives the basics of containers, mechanics, and plant material then moves out to the more creative aspects of aesthetics and color. If you are a beginner or are just curious about floral design, this is a great place to start. (I’d check on more current rules and concepts for comparison.)
Deer Proofing Your Garden – Hart- According to the jacket blurb on this paperback, you can learn how to identify deer damage, make your own homemade deterrents, select commercial repellents that work, design a landscape that repels deer, and develop deer management strategies with your neighbors by reading this book. Anything is worth a try when it comes to dealing with the deer, right?
Designing by Types – Published by National Garden Clubs, Inc – Ed. Osborne 2008 With almost 200 colored pictures of designs, this book was created to complement the design chapter of the 2007 Handbook for Flower Shows. It expands upon the more than 40 design types listed in that handbook. The editor hoped that it would provide a reference for those who enjoy the Design Division of an NGC Standard Flower Show.
Encyclopedia of Gardening – The American Horticultural Society – Ed. Brickell – “The Definitive Practical Guide to Gardening Techniques, Planning, and Maintenance.” This is a huge, beautiful tome that is in much too excellent condition to have been much loved. It should be taken home, perused, caressed, held in sweaty hands anticipating an early spring when we can get out there in the garden.
Encyclopedia of Herbs and their Uses – The Herb Society of America – Brown –This is indeed an Encyclopedia with a capital E. Everything you ever wanted to know and more about herbs, their history and uses and wonderful pictures can be found in this huge volume.
Essential Gardener – Fell- A large, colorful guide divided into sections on annuals, perennials, flowering bulbs, roses, trees and shrubs, and vegetables and herbs. Specific How-to information is given for each group, and a complete chapter of garden designs suggests how to use the plants in a home landscape.There are charts that tell when plants normally bloom, info on propagation, color guides. The color photographs alone make this a wonderful book to peruse.
The Essential Pruning Companion Malins - A guide to effective and creative pruning with step-by-step diagrams of the right and wrong way to do it. There is even an A-Z dictionary for specific plants. Lots of sketches and color pictures. (1992)
Gardener’s Dictionary of Horticultural Terms - Bagust - A guide to the vocabulary of gardening terms explained in simple language with many diagrams. If you are wondering what a pomato is, just look in this handy dictionary.
Herbs to See, to Smell, to Taste – Goetz -A 39 page booklet with info on harvesting and recipes for using herbs for teas, body care, household use, cooking, and potpourri. There are some garden design notes and basic information on growing herbs.
Natural Insect and Disease Control - A plant by plant encyclopedia of which insect/disease is a challenge for each plant and natural ways to combat them. This is another older Rodale book. There may be newer ideas available.
New Approach to Design Principles - Sutter – 1967 – If you like organization, this is the design book for you. The author uses outline form to show the relationships of the elements and principles in floral design. Complex ideas are broken down into small understandable parts. Using definitions, analogies, comparisons, and examples, this author has created a text that may really work for those having difficulty understanding this aesthetic topic.
New Kitchen Garden – Pavord – Not so new, this is a nice picture book that offers basic information about planning, planting, and cultivating a kitchen garden. There are chapters on understanding the soil, crop rotation, harvesting and storing, etc. It is rather general, but can be a good place to start.
Orchard Mason Bee –Griffin - A small handbook on the life history, biology, propagation, and use of a North American Native Bee, the Orchard Mason Bee.
Right Plant, Right Place – Pat – 1992 – Ferguson- (Pat Gilbert review)This book lists the botanical and common names of plants and includes a separate index for each. The photos are beautiful and give info as to soil, sun, alkalinity, acidity, water needs, as well as, bloom time, color , height and hardiness. Makes recommendations for plants for various soils, problem sites, light, etc. Also categorizes plant s by color, foliage, fragrance, suitability for containers, climbing, hedges, ground covers, etc. Good for gardeners of all experience levels.
Rock Garden: Planning and Planting – Kelly -A small book with lots of pictures and information on how and where to build different kinds of rock gardens. It includes a dictionary of appropriate plants, how to get them started and to propagate them and their aftercare.
Rodale’s All New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening - A 1992 version of the Rodale classic The Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening. Although there are many more current sources for this topic, this is a resource book that includes information on organically raising food crops and maintaining perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, and lawns. The entries are listed as in an encyclopedia. The plant information includes descriptions, planting and growing guidelines, problems, and landscape uses or harvesting, and best cultivars. Broader topics include gardening techniques and organic gardening management. A great basic resource.
Weeds of the West – Western Society of Weed Science – A comprehensive pictorial guide to weeds of the West. An in-depth description of each weed is presented. Does not address means of control of the weeds. The introduction is a must-read.
The Wildflower Book (From the Rockies West) – Stokes – The first 35 pages of this 90 some page paperback are the most interesting. They offer tips on conservation of wildflowers, applicable even now, including a list of “aggressive alien plants”. It offers three methods of establishing wildflower meadows, as well as, how to create woodland and dry-area and rock gardens with wildflowers. There is some info on xeriscaping (conserving water), wildflowers for wildlife, and arranging and drying wildflowers. The rest of the book is a “Gallery of Favorite Wildflowers” covering lore, identification, and growing tips.
Wildflowers of Western America – Orr – A descriptive guide with 291 photographs and a “special identification system” (They made up their own.) What are interesting about this 1974 edition are the folklore and wildflower recipes. You can learn to make your own Bistort soup or Nettle Brotchan.
Horticulture; Exhibiting and Judging - National Garden Clubs, Inc. 2012 For aspiring flower show judges or exhibitors. A must have if winning is your game. Check it out to see if you want one of your own.
Handbook for Flower Shows - National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc. - 1997 and 2007