Desert Gardening for Beginners: How to Grow Vegetables, Flowers and Herbs in an Arid Climate [Paperback]

Cathy Cromell (Author), Linda A. Guy (Author), Lucy K. Bradley (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This practical, inexpensive publication contains many of the requirements for successful gardening in the desert Southwest. The book's trio of authors, all master gardeners and two with ties to the University of Arizona's Maricopa County Cooperative Extension in Phoenix, focus on the essentials. Plain and simply packaged, this book does not have gorgeous illustrations or lush photographs, but the information contained within is excellent. From choosing a site to ways to improve soil structure, all the basics that gardeners need for this region are covered. The authors do offer a few suggestions on selecting plant varieties for the desert as well as an appendix devoted to growing calendars for vegetables, fruits, and herbs, but detailed information on individual plant varieties is not provided. Gardeners requiring this type of information will be better served by books such as Mary Rose Duffield and Warren D. Jones's Plants for Dry Climates: How To Select, Grow, and Enjoy (Fisher, 1998) or Sunset Western Garden Book (Sunset, 1995). Recommended for public libraries in the desert Southwest.AJohn Charles, Scottsdale P.L., AZ
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: Arizona Master Gardener Press (July 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965198723
• ISBN-13: 978-0965198721
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #596,049 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No more guessing when to plant your seeds!, March 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Desert Gardening for Beginners: How to Grow Vegetables, Flowers and Herbs in an Arid Climate (Paperback)

Desert Gardening for Beginners is an indispensible resource for beginning gardeners in Southern Arizona. The book was written in collaboration with the University of Arizona and Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, so it contains instructions directly applicable to this region, such as improving desert soil and getting rid of Bermuda grass. It is not a comprehensive resource, but rather a quick guide. Especially useful is the appendix at the back of the book that tells specifically when to plant each type of seed or seedling. No more guessing based on those three-month spans on the back of the seed packet -- this book narrows it down to a specific two-week period. This is the best book I have found to help me with my Tucson garden.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good basic info, February 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Desert Gardening for Beginners: How to Grow Vegetables, Flowers and Herbs in an Arid Climate (Paperback)

This book provided some great info, but it was quite basic (hence the title). The tables in the back were great. Skip this book if you know your basics and spend your money on a more in depth book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "Must Have" for Desert Gardeners, June 26, 2006

By 

Carolyn Hills "Maricopa County Master Gardener" (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Desert Gardening for Beginners: How to Grow Vegetables, Flowers and Herbs in an Arid Climate (Paperback)

This book, written by Maricopa County (Phoenix, Arizona area) Master Gardeners, is a "must have" for desert gardeners of all ages. In addition to lots of great general gardening information, it addresses the unique challenges (poor soil, excessive heat) and opportunities (year-round gardening!) found in the desert garden. There are great planting calendars in the Appendices for Fruits/Vegetables, Herbs and Flowers. Excellent resource!