Gardening: A Research Guide

Finding information on gardening, the practical operations in the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants, is easier than ever. The resources listed below are works that are not just meant to be consulted for reference, but also to be read and enjoyed by the casual reader with illustrations being an important part of these sources. The topics range from the history of gardening to specific information on plants and their cultivation to garden and landscape planning. This guide introduces researchers to some of the basic informational sources on the topic. The terms and phrases listed in the subject headings below can be used to search for more materials in the library's catalog and research databases. If you need further assistance, please ask a librarian.

American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening by Christopher Brickell. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. ISBN: 0789496534.
Newest revision of this long-standing, comprehensive gardening resource.

American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers by Christopher Brickell and Trevor J. Cole. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2002. ISBN: 0789489937.
Includes great illustrations with sections on plant selection, a plant catalog, and dictionary.

The American Horticultural Society Gardening Manual. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2000. ISBN: 0789459523.
Covers every aspect of gardening from preliminary design to daily maintenance.

Annuals by James Crockett. New York: Time-Life Books, 1971. LCCN: 78140420.
Part of the Time-Life Encyclopedia of Gardening series featuring watercolor illustrations of annuals.

Better Homes and Gardens Complete Guide to Gardening by Marjorie P. Groves. Des Moines: Meredith, 1979. ISBN: 0696000415.
Technical and detailed overview of all aspects of gardening. The 1994 edition is also on CD-ROM.

The National Arboretum Book of Outstanding Garden Plants: The Authoritative Guide to Selecting and Growing the Most Beautiful, Durable, and Care-Free Garden Plants in North America by Jacqueline Hériteau and Henry M. Cathey. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1990. ISBN: 0671669575.
This book focuses on selection of the right plant for a specific location.

New Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses by Deni Bown. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2001. ISBN: 078948031X.
Definitive A-Z guide to growing herbs around the globe.

The New York Botanical Garden Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horticulture by Thomas H. Everett. New York: Garland, 1980–1982. ISBN: 0824063080 (vol. 1).
Extensive general and specific information on horticulture useful to any gardener.

The Oxford Companion to Gardens by Patrick Goode and Michael Lancaster. New York: Oxford University Press, 1986. ISBN: 0198661231.
Covers the history and design of gardens from the earliest known examples to the present day.

Rodale's All-New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: The Indispensable Resource for Every Gardener by Fern Marshall Bradley and Barbara W. Ellis. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1992. ISBN: 0878579990.
A basic reference for organic and other gardening with over 400 entries covering composting, xeriscaping, permaculture, and much more.

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Burpee Seeds and Plants
www.burpee.com
Seller of specialty seeds and gardening accessories.

The Garden Gate: Into Gardening and Beyond
http://garden-gate.prairienet.org
From Forbes Best of the Web, “This folksy link site earns high marks for its breadth, organization, and helpful annotations.”

Garden Web: The Internet's Garden Community
www.gardenweb.com
Site provides links to a variety of gardening resources including forums, “HortiPlex Plant Database,” calendar of garden events, gardening organizations, glossary of terms, and much more.

GardenGuides
www.gardenguides.com
Features an article index on a variety of gardening topics and links to many other gardening sites and guides. Registration for forums is required but free.

Gardening Launch Pad
www.gardeninglaunchpad.com
Almost 5,000 links to gardening sites with 95% content links not commercial.

HGTV Home & Garden Television
www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gardening/
This well-known television network's site is a comprehensive resource for gardening information.

United States Department of Agriculture: Home Gardening
www.usda.gov/news/garden.htm
Links to everything from backyard conservation to the USDA's Vegetable Laboratory.