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Get Your Garden Started Right: Three Invaluable References

© Diana Pederson

I have a series of books commissioned by the Park Seed company that remain my faithful standbys every year when seed starting time rolls around. These books should be on the shelf of every gardener who prefers growing from seed. All are printed by the George W. Park Seed Company, Inc. and are available in their 1998 catalog.

Park's Success with Seeds, written in 1978 by Ann Reilly, discusses the growing of annual, perennial and edible plants. The first chapter, Getting Ready, discusses the different seed starting media and containers. Then it examines different problems with seedlings such as damping off disease. A thorough treatment of special preparation such as scarification and stratification in addition to others follows. It also discusses the role of temperature, moisture/humidity and light as it affects the germination of seeds. The next two chapters deal with issues surrounding the sowing and germinating of everything from the tiniest seeds to fern spore. Chapter 3 covers all aspects of growing the transplants in the garden bed. It includes a discussion of staking, trellising, using cold frames and the storing of tender tubers or bulbs for the winter. The appendices cover everything from listing plants for special purposes to horticultural terms.

Park's Success with Herbs, authored by Gertrude B. Foster and Rosemary Fl. Louden in 1980, discusses growing herbs and garden design. It also includes a valuable chapter on cooking with herbs and herbal crafts. Park's Success with Bulbs was written by Alfred F. Scheider in 1981. It covers the growing of true bulbs as well as corms, tubers, tuberous roots and rhizomes. It provides complete information on planting bulbs and ways to force them early. It also includes an appendix listing bulbs for special purposes.

These three books share a common description style. Each plant discussed includes a full color picture. The accompanying description includes the scientific name, common name, plant family and geographical origin. Uses for the plants, habit and culture is provided. The unique feature is that each plant is also accompanied by a picture of the seedling right after germination (or a picture of the bulb) which aids you in identifying the plants before they have reached the flowering stage.

I strongly urge you to consider purchasing this series of books. I've used them for 10 years now and find them as valuable today as I did when I first purchased them for a horticulture class on annuals and perennials. The entire series sells for $34.95 and information to order is on page 127 of their 1998 catalog. You may also contact them by sending e-mail to info@parkseed.com or calling them at 1-800-275-9941. Visit their web site at Park Seed.