THE HERB GARDENER'S LIBRARY
Gardeners like practical gifts. Nothing is more useful than books and software. There are many titles that will be of interest to herb lovers.
"Container Topiary" by Susan Berry from Laurel Glen offers practical advice and creative ideas for herbs and other plants. Each project features color-illustrated, step-by-step instructions. She devotes a chapter to each shape or type, such as standards along with places and ways to display the finished topiary. There's also a directory of plants suitable for creating topiaries. Herbs suitable for topiary include bay, lavender, rosemary, roses, myrtle, and geraniums.
Those interested in culinary herbs will love "From the Garden to the Table" by Monty and Sarah Don from Lyons Press. There are chapters on the garden and the kitchen in which the authors explain the link between growing, cooking, and eating garden produce. They organize the crops by month, and give details and recipes for each. This inspiring volume is beautifully illustrated with color photos.
When herb growers need recipes for pesto, the place to turn is "The Pesto Manifesto-Recipes for Basil and Beyond" by Lorel Nazzaro from Chelsea Green Publishing Company. The first section is devoted entirely to basil--its history, folklore, cultivation, harvest, and use. In addition, the author presents recipes for other herb pestos made from mint, parsley, cilantro, and others. He devotes a separate chapter to each kind of dish. There are pesto recipes for everything from soups and eggs to desserts.
Many annual herbs tend to be tender, and can't withstand cold temperatures. That's when a copy of "A Gardener's Guide to Frost-Outwit the Weather and Extend the Spring and Fall Seasons" by Philip Harnden from Willow Creek Press comes in handy. It contains more information about frost than anyone could ever need. Herb gardeners can learn the signs of impending frost and what they can do to protect their sensitive plants.
Are roses considered herbs? Yes, it seems so. They were always grown in European and English herb gardens. Herb lovers will find "Roses" by Orietta Sala from Firefly Books to be a very useful and informative title. This is part of the Firefly Series, which includes "Bulbs" and other titles. This book features charts, drawings, practical gardening advice, and is illustrated with 450 color photos. This comprehensive, color guide features profiles and color illustrations of 180 different varieties. The author also advices readers on how to choose the best roses for various situations and climates.
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