News from the Garden

California Gardener’s Guide, Volume II, by Nan Sterman

Local horticulturist and Water Conservation Garden instructor Nan Sterman has written a book that is a must for every southern California gardener...and plenty of northern California gardeners, as well.  This is a supremely useful book, written in an engaging, informal style that’s a lot like talking to a friend who happens to be an expert gardener. Furthermore, there’s a strong emphasis on drought tolerant plants!

I would recommend reading the last section first.  "Tips and Techniques for California Gardening" gives the reader the basics all in one place...from managing pests, to best watering practices, to propagation.  Then dive into the plant listing, each a full page with a great color photo, planting and care information, and  tidbits such as "Every butterfly garden requires two kinds of plants: those with nectar-rich flowers for adult butterflies to sip, and those with leaves for hungry caterpillars to chomp." 

What I particularly like is the book’s coding system. There are icons for sun preferences and water requirements as one might expect, but there are sixteen other icons describing a wide range of issues interesting to gardeners, from "grows well in a Mediterranean climate" to "tolerates beach conditions (bright sun, wind, and/or salt spray)" to "grows well in a container."

Make your gardening life easier and more fun...buy this book!

California Gardener’s Guide can be purchased at the Water Conservation Garden gift shop.
Marty Eberhardt