Customer Reviews

Minnesota Gardener's Guide: Revised Edition (Gardener's Guides)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
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As a beginning gardener, this book was invaluable to me in identifying the common plants in my neighborhood. The pictures are very good for getting a real sense of what each plant is like. Also, the number of plants included is manageable - not too many so as be completely overwhelming for the beginning or casual gardener, not too few as to be limiting. I also like the easy picture keys for each plant (native, sun/shade, drought, etc) - you can quickly scan through for plants that'll work for your situation.

I've been very happy with this book so far. The writer gives step by step advice for all types of plants during all the different months and seasons of Minnesota. It also has step by step advice for the best way to care for the different types of soil found in Minnesota, during the different months and seasons of Minnesota.

I love this book. It contains brief general information about soil preparation, planting, etc., then lists plants under various categories such as annuals, perennials, ornamental grasses, ground covers, shrubs, etc. Each plant discussed is listed under the appropriate category, one page per plant, with a color picture and information about planting time, soil and water preferences, hardiness zones, mature size and suggestions for using it in your landscape. All plants included can be grown in the Minnesota climate although some are not hardy in northern areas. This is a very good reference if you are planning your landscape, but also gives information about the care of many of the plants in the established landscape.
The only drawback is that it does not include many less commonly used plants, but then the size of the book would be cumbersome.