Gardening in the Heartland - Hardcover

Snyder, Rachel

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0700605169 ISBN 13: 9780700605163

Publisher: University Press of Kansas, 1992

Synopsis

Most garden books lead midwestern gardeners down the Primrose Path with gardening advice meant for friendlier climates with cool, still growing seasons and plenty of moisture. Here in the Midwest, that kind of advice doesn't hold water.

Gardeners here face tougher conditions: constant wind, extremes of both heat and cold, sudden and violent weather changes, and drought, not to mention periodic insect explosions.

But breathtaking flower gardens and bountiful vegetable gardens are just as achievable in the country's midsection as they are on either coast, writes Rachel Snyder. The key is understanding the peculiar conditions of the region and making the most of them.

In Gardening in the Heartland, Snyder focuses exclusively on Midwestern garden problems and prescribes simple, effective remedies. In 49 stunning full-color photographs of gardens in this region, she offers irrefutable evidence that her methods work.

Snyder reviews hundreds of kinds of plants and identifies those that grow best in the Midwest. She explains different gardening techniques and offers a cornucopia of gardening advice: hints for growing annuals and perennials, tricks for cultivating beautiful roses and keeping them beautiful year after year, up-to-the-minute tips on kinds of vegetables ready-made for the region, and a list of fruits that will grow in the Midwest without a fight.

Snyder also explains the advantages of native plants and organic gardening methods. She evaluates the pros and cons of xeriscaping versus the traditional "well-manicured lawn," and includes a realistic discussion of plant hardiness zones based on the Department of Agriculture's very latest calculations.

Finally, for encouragement and further study, Snyder provides a list of public gardens in the Heartland.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

"I have felt for many years that the East Coast has been overwhelmingly represented (presumptuous, arrogant, haughty, domineering, even?) in books on gardening. This is just what is needed--a regional book dedicated to our area. It is not only for newcomers to the region; it's a valuable guide for longtime residents, be they gardening novices or experienced hobbyists."--Frank Good, horticulture writer, The Wichita Eagle

About the Author:

Rachel Snyder served as editor of Flower and Garden Magazine for thirty-one years. Recently elected to the Garden Writers Association of America Hall of Fame, she is the author of The Complete Book for Gardeners. She has received national writing awards from the American Seed Trade Association, American Association of Nurserymen, and American Horticultural Society.

About this edition

• Publisher: University Press of Kansas
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0700605169
• ISBN 13: 9780700605163
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256