The Herb Gardener: A Guide for All Seasons [Paperback]

Susan McClure (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2, 1997

Which herbs grow best in a cool and shady spots?  When is the proper time to prune lavender plants?  What are the important factors to consider when designing a decorative herb garden?  How often should rosemary plants be watered?  Which herbs are the easiest to start indoors from seed?

                You have questions, The Herb Gardener has answers.  With this full-color, heavily illustrated herbal reference, botanist and author Susan McClure will make you a master at growing herbs in all kinds of situations, from a few indoor containers to a large, decorative garden.

                Every conceivable aspect of herb growing is covered in precise detail, including choosing a garden location, creating a garden theme and design, evaluating and improving your soil, companion planting, propagation, pruning, and trouble-shooting.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A comprehensive, reader-friendly resource, this gem is loaded with pointed illustrations and practical information. Drawing on her training as a botanist, McClure (The Harvest Gardener) gears opening chapters toward beginners, detailing basics about herbs and their cultivation. A more challenging section on garden design includes tips on such considerations as maximizing sunlight, incorporating hardscape and establishing herbal lawns. In the central part of this guide, a season-by-season approach makes tasks in the herb garden manageable. Instructions are complete but not complex, e.g., the autumn topic "Bringing Herbs Indoors" covers pruning, dividing, transplanting, conditioning and pest management in a few direct, undaunting paragraphs. Sidebars, such as an "Herbs and pH" chart and "Harvesting Hints," and illustrative photos punctuate the text. While the chapter on recipes and craft projects is sketchy and rather ordinary, the wrap-up "Grower's Guide," a cross-referenced alphabetical (by Latin names) listing of over 50 common herbs, offers much to engage gardeners of varied experience. A source listing is also included.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Judging from the number of books published on the subject, herbs seem to be the hottest trend in gardening. And why not? They are easy to grow and can be grown outdoors all summer and indoors all year. McClure, a botanist and author of six previous books, begins with a definition of herbs ("a plant that has fragrance, flavoring, or medicinal value" ) and then follows with a chapter on native habitats. Arranged season by season, McClure's book gives information on starting plants from seeds, propagation, pruning, fertilizing, mulching, disease and pest control, and weeding. There are chapters on growing herbs in containers and on recipes and crafts (potpourris and wreaths, for example). There is also a grower's guide, which gives planting, growing, and harvesting instructions for 64 herbs. To have 100 color photographs. George Cohen --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC (January 2, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882668730
• ISBN-13: 978-0882668734
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #236,361 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for ideas and information, July 16, 2002

By 

Michelle N. Marshall "Sims addict" (IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Herb Gardener: A Guide for All Seasons (Paperback)

I am fairly new to all of this herb gardening stuff but this is one of the nicest books I have come across so far. It has alot of nice pictures and diagrams. My favorite parts of the book are the garden ideas/diagrams it shows. It shows a wagon wheel garden, knot gardens, etc. As well as gives potting ideas and helps. In the back is an index of herbs with descriptions and colorful pictures. The pictures do a good job of showing you what the herb looks like. It also have basic garden information on composting etc. I also like that it helps you plan a year round garden. Nothing worse than a garden that only blooms one season! I think anyone who needs help with herb gardening, or anyone in a rut, should check this book out. I really enjoyed it!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, January 16, 2012

By 

Mjd - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Herb Gardener: A Guide for All Seasons (Paperback)

I heard about this book, so I first checked it out of the library. It was really informative so I decided to make the purchase. Enjoy