Seeds: The Definitive Guide to Growing, History, and Lore [Hardcover]

H. Peter Loewer (Author), Peter Loewer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1996

In Seeds, Peter Loewer examines the vast and often surprisingly complex world of seeds in unparalleled thoroughness. While providing the necessary how-to of growing all kinds of plants and vegetables from seed, the book also considers the role of seeds in history, literature, and business.

Including anecdotes. brief histories and interviews from prominent individuals involved in the world of seeds, the book is informative as well as entertaining. Fully illustrated with the author's beautifully sculpted line drawings, Seeds is the only book to explore this subject in such broad depth and scope.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An informative, easy to read, and entertaining book covering many topics relating to plant seeds."
—Lee Luckeydoo, Sida, Contributions to Botany, September 2005 (Contributions to Botany )

"It is science made simple but not simplistic — detailed, delightful and never dull."
—Lili Singer, Los Angeles Times, March 24, 2005 (Los Angeles Times )

"Will interest anyone interested in the life of plants and the planet ... Eminently readable ... provides refreshing reading to a devoted gardener during the quiet winter months when there is little work to be done outdoors."
—Dorothea Bedigian, Plant Science Bulletin, Spring 2005 (Plant Science Bulletin ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Book Description

Much of life on earth begins and ends with seeds. From the practical concerns of seed savers and collectors to the ancient lore, history, and biology of seeds, this is a must read for anyone interested in preserving seed biodiversity. Detailed advice on buying, storing and germinating, sterilizing soil, indoor to outdoor transplanting-even building cold frames, is included. Blending science and hands-on experience, Seeds is fascinating, practical, and useful. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 230 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan General Reference (April 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0025740423
• ISBN-13: 978-0025740426
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,023,463 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great source of information about seeds, July 16, 2008

By 

Donna R. Lohr "RedEarthFarmgirl" (Marlow, OK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Seeds: The Definitive Guide to Growing, History, and Lore (Paperback)

"Seeds, The Definitive Guide to Growing, History & Lore" contains great information for the gardener about seeds - what a seed is, its anatomy, different types of seed, the history of seed, pollination, disperal, longevity - need I go on? It's obvious that Loewer has covered all the basics (and not-so basics), educating his readers about seeds. What I particularly like about this book is how Loewer disperses the history and lore of seeds throughout his book. Makes for an interesting and educating read. Although the book is not written specific to any certain specific type of seed, it goes into great detail about seeds in general. Using his information (esp in the chapter titled 'Soil Mixes, Equipment, and Planting Out), one should have no problems starting any type of plant from seed. A seed is a seed, afterall. Yes, some seeds require mechanical treatments for germination. I recommend to the grower that when planting a certain type of seed, go to the internet and research to see if that seed requires any mechanical treatment. Most seeds do not.

A few of my favorite topics Loewer writes about in his book are the chemistry of seeds, seed heredity, the buying and selling of seeds, and the history and lore of storing and saving seeds. Also included in the book is an excellent listing of seed sources, including detailed information about the company (or source).

I highly recommend this book as an addition to your gardening library. Other good sources for growing seeds are: "Seed to Seed" by Suzanne Ashworth, 'Seed Sowing and Saving' by Turner, and 'Saving Seed' by Rogers.

6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars not what I expected, September 5, 2005

By 

Twan from Holland - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seeds: The Definitive Guide to Growing, History, and Lore (Paperback)

In the editorial review it says "he provides detailed advice on buying, storing and germinating, sterilizing soil, indoor to outdoor transplanting---even building cold frames.
In the book on page 204 it says "a cold frame---- consist of a small garden area that is roofed over with glass----"
That's it. The detailed advice.
I thumbed through the book, and I have not found any plant mentioned with how en when to sow.
This book has nothing to do with growing anything from seed.
The book was a disapointment for me. Mailing it back to the USA was to expensive, so I'll have to keep it.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Seeds Over All, August 14, 2007

By 

Peter Loewer "Reel Hound" (Asheville, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Seeds: The Definitive Guide to Growing, History, and Lore (Paperback)

Amazon Shoppers: Rather than let the biased and ignorant review by Twan stand alone, as the aouthor of this acclaimed book, I thought it necessary to point out that her criticisms are based on what the publisher wrote and a blurb that authors have little of no control over--it's all bombastic tripe. As a reader of books for sixty years, I know that you can judge a book by its cover and "Seeds" is no exception.