Houston Garden Book: A Complete Guide to Gardening in Houston and the Gulf Coast [Paperback]

John Kriegel (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Shearer Publishing; 2 edition (January 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940672553
• ISBN-13: 978-0940672550
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #711,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars your Houston gardening companion..., April 5, 2000

By 

Mark L. Zajac (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Houston Garden Book: A Complete Guide to Gardening in Houston and the Gulf Coast (Paperback)

Very few books are this specific to help those of us with such variable, indecisive & unpredictable weather! Many photos and illustrations to help identify plants, pests and best practices. Wide range of topics from start (garden planning) to finish (harvesting). Book helps not only new gardeners, but those still learning - as well as new Houstonians. Large, glossy pages makes for easy and interesting reading. Even if you don't live in Houston, but in a Southern (just a tad north of a coastal) area, you won't want to miss out on this book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big and bright star of a Texas gardening book, April 25, 2009

By 

Lynn "loving the sun" (Sugar Land TX) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Houston Garden Book: A Complete Guide to Gardening in Houston and the Gulf Coast (Paperback)

I had so much trouble finding a gardening book for my specific area. When I came across this book I ordered it hoping for the best since it wasn't available in the local bookstores. I am so pleased with the detail on all aspects of gardening in the Houston area. I am a weekend gardener who needs a good reference book.
The book starts out by teaching you the basics about soil preparation, climate, weather, watering, pruning and good pests in the garden.
The section on vegatables is full of info on different varieties of each one that grow well in this area. Plus it gives info on diseases, pests and harvesting. The same goes for the section on growing herbs. It also goes into using and perserving herbs, plus has recipes from Hilltop Herb Farm included. I am Successfully growing 4 patio tomato plants that are producing. I have 8-15 tomatoes on each plant in different stages of growth. My oregano, thyme, basil and cilantro are growing beautifully. I have made numerous italian dishes with the fresh herbs, The family loved the taste, it was so much better than with dried spices.
The book also has very indepth sections on trees, palms, shrubs, vines, native plants and flowers. It goes into how to landscape and design your garden. Which plants to use for your major lanscaping and what seasonal plants grow best in this area. It teaches you how to greenhouse garden, and about container gardening as well.
The book has extensive info on diseases and pests that can invade your lawn or garden as well. I have already used this to diagnose a problem with my loquat tree. One of the most valuable sections is a large list of poisonous plants. I had no idea how many common garden plants were poisonous including the Foxglove I have blooming in my garden.
I would highly recommend this book to everyone who gardens in the Houston area. No matter if you are a beginner gardener or an avid gardener, you will benefit from this book. It is so packed full of knowledge on everything and anything you need to garden in the Houston area. Any questions I have had, I have found in the book since I bought it earlier this spring. My garden has thanked me by growing better than it ever has before. There is nothing like having my coffee out on the patio in the morning right now. The smell of jasmine fills the air and the hummingbirds are here feeding on the nectar from my hibiscus. Don't you love gardens?

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a must for any Houstonian's bookshelf., May 21, 2007

By 

ldf (Houston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Houston Garden Book: A Complete Guide to Gardening in Houston and the Gulf Coast (Paperback)

My neighbor lent me his copy of this book and I read through the whole book in one night. The next day I came to see if Amazon had this book and ordered a copy for myself immediately. This book has answered so many of my questions and I know will be treasured for the rest of my days, or at least the rest of my days in Houston. I would recommend this book to anyone living in the Houston area who is contemplating gardening, or even owning a tree or a lawn. Invaluable information for a unique area.