Growing Vegetables in the Great Plains (Paperback)

~ Joseph R. Thomasson (Author), Martin B. Capron (Illustrator) "There are two major ways to learn about gardening - by doing it and reading about it..." (more)
Key Phrases: similar fertilizer, last frost date, compressed peat, Have Tested, Great Plains, Growing Essentials (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Great Plains may be the breadbasket of the nation, but it's a tough place to grow vegetables. Damaging spring winds, unpredictable hail storms, and late freezes combine with scorching summer heat, parched ground, and hordes of plant-destroying insects to ravage the crops of unwary gardeners.

But a bountiful Plains garden, brimming with luscious tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, carrots, squash, and beans, is an achievable goal, according to botanist Joseph Thomasson. Even cool season vegetables like celery, head-lettuce, peas, and broccoli can be grown successfully--if you know how.

Thomasson describes exactly how in this practical new gardening guide. His advice, tested in 18 years of backyard gardening throughout the region, is tailored for gardeners in the Great Plains--from North Dakota to Texas, from the Rocky Mountain foothills to Iowa and Missouri.

First Thomasson focuses on the big picture, sizing up the particular climactic problems of the region and describing how gardeners can cope. He lists best-adapted plant varieties, including his favorites, and offers detailed advice about such gardening essentials as soil preparation, planting, water conservation, and more. He also provides a key to identifying pests and diseases and tells what to do about them.

Then he moves closer for a look at the little picture. Why is a pumpkin leaf "scratchy?" How do plants breathe? Through the highly magnified images of scanning electron microscopy, Thomasson provides a unique perspective on the microscopic wonders of the garden, from a bee's stinger to cucumber pollen.

This 7" x 10" book contains 25 full-color photographs and more than 50 black-and-white drawings and photos.

From the Back Cover

"For vegetable gardeners, Thomasson tames the Great Plains. His clear, reasonable, step-by-step illustrated handbook, embodying his own backyard experiences, is the very first to provide reliable and practical coaching for vegetable gardeners of a very broad region, the Plains states."--Frank Good, horticulture writer, The Wichita Eagle

"This book is like nibbling on a home grown, crisp, tasty carrot. It is good reading for any gardener, but it's a must for someone who is new to the Great Plains. Even those who grew up here will find much information to enrich their gardening experience. I especially appreciate 'gardening in the wind,' 'life after a hail storm,' and the practical information on how to conserve water and combat grasshoppers and other pests. Following the directions in this book, you'll find that growing vegetables in the Great Plains is not too difficult at all!"--Gus A. van der Hoeven, specialist in landscape and environmental horticulture, Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: University Press of Kansas (April 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0700604308
• ISBN-13: 978-0700604302
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #712,309 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource for Great Plains gardeners, March 23, 2009

By	Aggie40 (Kansas) - See all my reviews

I bought this book 10 years ago and it is still my number one resource. I also use the Better Homes & Gardens New Garden Book and a couple of 20 Minute Gardener books, but Growing Vegetables in the Great Plains has the most relevant and useful information for gardening in the Plains environment. This includes coping with wind, hail, drought, pests, diseases and various soil conditions. There are specific instructions and tips for planting and harvesting a large variety of vegetables. Among the color photos, you will see a hailed out garden which rebounded, watering techniques and tomatoes being harvested as it snows. If you are a Plains gardener, especially a novice or average gardener, you need this book.