Best of
Plants

2004

The Secret Teachings of Plants: The Intelligence of the Heart in the Direct Perception of Nature


Stephen Harrod Buhner - 2004
    Less well known is that many Western peoples made this same assertion. There are, in fact, two modes of cognition available to all human beings--the brain-based linear and the heart-based holistic. The heart-centered mode of perception can be exceptionally accurate and detailed in its information gathering capacities if, as indigenous and ancient peoples asserted, the heart’s ability as an organ of perception is developed.Author Stephen Harrod Buhner explores this second mode of perception in great detail through the work of numerous remarkable people, from Luther Burbank, who cultivated the majority of food plants we now take for granted, to the great German poet and scientist Goethe and his studies of the metamorphosis of plants. Buhner explores the commonalities among these individuals in their approach to learning from the plant world and outlines the specific steps involved. Readers will gain the tools necessary to gather information directly from the heart of Nature, to directly learn the medicinal uses of plants, to engage in diagnosis of disease, and to understand the soul-making process that such deep connection with the world engenders.

Collins Tree Guide


Owen Johnson - 2004
    The introduction contains illustrations of the main leaves, buds, and firs you are likely to find, and these provide the starting point for identification by leading you to a 'key' species.Within each tree family there is a list of key species and a guide to the most important features to look for when identifying a particular tree from that family. Then individual species are clearly described and a detailed illustration is given on the same page.Covering all the tree species found outside the major arboretums, from the olive tree to the eucalyptus, this is one of the most important tree guides to have appeared in the last 20 years. The illustrations are annotated with essential identification features, and the text highlights the most important things to look for to aid fast and accurate identification. There is also coverage of all the species native to Southern Europe.

The Compleat Squash: A Passionate Grower's Guide to Pumpkins, Squashes, and Gourds


Amy Goldman - 2004
    They are members in good standing in the horticultural hall of fame, and Goldman lovingly ponders their case histories and culinary merits both with common and uncommon varieties. She gets glorious help from award-winning photographer Victor Schrager, who brings out their eclectic beauty in more than 150 luminous color portraits. Growing, harvesting, and seed-saving instructions are included for the gardener, and for the cook a selection of recipes that show off the unique, lovely flavors of these versatile vegetables.

Texas Gardening the Natural Way: The Complete Handbook


Howard Garrett - 2004
    There's a new way of gardening in Texas that's healthier for people and the environment, more effective at growing vigorous plants and reducing pests, cheaper to maintain, and just more fun. It's Howard Garrett's "The Natural Way" organic gardening program, and it's all here in Texas Gardening the Natural Way.This book is the first complete, state-of-the-art organic gardening handbook for Texas. Using Howard Garrett's new mainstream gardening techniques, Texas Gardening the Natural Way presents a total gardening program: How to plan, plant, and maintain beautiful landscapes without using chemical fertilizers and toxic pesticides. Gardening fundamentals: soils, landscape design, planting techniques, and maintenance practices. Includes more native and adaptable varieties of garden and landscape plants than any other guide on the market. Trees: 134 species of evergreens, berry- and fruit-bearing, flowering, yellow fall color, orange fall color, and red fall color. Shrubs and specialty plants: 85 species for sun, shade, spring flowering, summer flowering, and treeform shrubs. Ground covers and vines: 51 species for sun and shade. Annuals and perennials: 136 species for fall color, winter color, summer color in shade and sun, and spring color. Also seeding rates for wildflowers. Lawn grasses: 10 species for sun and shade, with additional information on 16 native grasses, seeding rates for 32 grasses, and suggested mowing heights. Fruits, nuts, and vegetables: 58 species, with a vegetable planting chart and information on organic pecan and fruit tree growing, fruit varieties for Texas, grape and pecan varieties, and gardening by the moon. Common green manure crops: 29 crops that help enrich the soil. Herbs: 66 species for culinary and medicinal uses. Bugs: 73 types of helpful and harmful bugs, with organic remedies for pests, lists of beneficial bugs and plants that attract them, a beneficial bug release schedule, and sources for beneficial bugs. Plant diseases: organic treatments for 55 common problems. Organic methods for repelling mice, rabbits, armadillos, beavers, cats, squirrels, and deer. Organic management practices: watering, fertilizing, controlling weeds, releasing beneficial insects, biological controls (including bats and purple martins), and recipes for Garrett Juice, fire ant control drench, vinegar herbicide, Sick Tree Treatment, and Tree Trunk Goop. Average first and last freeze dates for locations around the state. Organic fertilizers and soil amendments: 61 varieties, including full instructions for making compost. Organic pest control products: 30 varieties. Common house plants and poisonous plants. Instructions for climbing vegetable structures and bat houses. 833 gorgeous full-color photographs.

Exploring Creation: With Botany (Young Explorer (Apologia Educational Ministries))


Jeannie Fulbright - 2004
    Narration and notebooking are used to encourage critical thinking, logical ordering, retention, and record keeping. Each lesson in the book is organized with a narrative, some notebook work, an activity, and a project. The activities and projects use easy-to-find household items and truly make the lessons come alive! They include making a "light hut" in which to grow plants, dissection of a bean seed, growing seeds in plastic bags to watch the germination process, making a leaf skeleton, observing how plants grow towards light, measuring transpiration, forcing bulbs to grow out of season, and forcing pine cones to open and close. Although designed to be read by the parent to elementary students of various grade levels, it is possible for students with a 4th-grade reading level to read this book on their own. Grades K-6.

Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climates of the San Francisco Bay Region


East Bay M. U. D. Staff - 2004
    Environmental Studies. Photographs by Saxon Holt. Illustrations by Richard Pembroke. This lavishly illustrated book celebrates the challenges and opportunities of gardening in Mediterranean climates, with special reference to northern California's San Francisco Bay Region. The core of the book is a catalog of more than 650 plants suited to regions with mild, usually wet winters and dry, often hot summers. These plants thrive with moderate to no summer irrigation when established, require little or no maintenance, and are reasonably available from nurseries, botanic gardens, native plant sales, or specialty seed suppliers.Many of the 542 color photographs show plants in garden settings to suggest attractive and compatible plant combinations. Summary charts provide information on each plant, such as bloom time, needs for water and sun, and preferences for coastal or inland microclimates. Lists suggest plants for special situations, such as hot sites, dryish shade, small gardens, and clay soils.Chapters on landscape design and maintenance inspire readers to make gardens that use little water and no harmful chemicals, with a focus on building healthy soil. Practical steps to successful design are supplemented with ideas for designing with microclimate, attracting wildlife, and fire safety. Sidebars by local experts discuss weather, natural landscapes, design solutions, and gardening with recycled water."A valuable resource for climate-compatible gardening in the San Franciso Bay Area that will also be of interest to gardeners in other parts of the world with a similar seasonal pattern of winter rain and dry summers. This book will occupy a prominent place in my library for many years to come."--Katherine Greenberg, president Mediterranean Garden Society"This book is beautifully designed with abundant photographs of plants, many in garden settings, and it is packed with the kind of information gardeners need for their own special situations. Simply stunning! Bravo!"--Phyllis M. Faber, editor University of California Press

Trees of Ohio Field Guide


Stan Tekiela - 2004
    Learn about 115 Ohio trees, organized in the book by leaf type and attachment. Fact-filled information contains the particulars that you want to know, while full-page photos provide the visual detail needed for accurate identification. Trees are fascinating and wonderful, and this is the perfect introduction to them.

The Trees of San Francisco


Mike Sullivan - 2004
    In The Trees of San Francisco he has combined his passions, offering a striking and handy compendium of botanical information, historical tidbits, cultivation hints, and more.Sullivan's introduction details the history of trees in the city, a fairly recent phenomenon. The text then piques the reader's interest with discussions of 71 city trees. Each tree is illustrated with a photograph--with its common and scientific names prominently displayed--and its specific location within San Francisco, along with other sites; frequently a close-up shot of the tree is included. Sprinkled throughout are 13 sidelights relating to trees; among the topics are the city's wild parrots and the trees they love; an overview of the objectives of the Friends of the Urban Forest; and discussions about the link between Australia's trees and those in the city, such as the eucalyptus.The second part of the book gets the reader up

Medicinal Plants of the World


Ben-Erik van Wyk - 2004
    The book includes descriptions of more than 300 medicinal plants and their close relatives. Each entry gives a short summary with a description of the plant, the geographical origin, therapeutic category, historical and modern uses, active ingredients, and pharmacological effects. More than 500 full-color photographs assist in the identification of the plants. It is an essential reference guide for health care professionals — doctors, nurses, and especially pharmacists — or anyone with an interest in medicinal plants and their uses.

The ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario


Richard Dickinson - 2004
    It is the most authoritative, easy to use, and beautifully designed guide to Ontario wildflowers available, with a stunning selection of photographs unsurpassed anywhere.This landmark publication features:• Detailed and clearly written descriptions of 400 of Ontario’s most common wildflowers, including notes on habitat, characteristic features of each species’ leaves, flowers, and fruits; description of similar species; and in many cases interesting additional information about the plant, such as traditional uses, origin of its name, and biology.• Approximately 1,000 stunning full-colour photographs drawn from the ROM’s celebrated collection of more than 50,000 botanical photos.• Specially designed colour-coded key to assist identification.• Handy size and format, with photos and description for each species all on one page.• Sized to fit in a backpack or pocket, with stitched binding and rugged cover for extra durability.• Glossary of botanical terms and index.

The Southern Living Garden Book: Completely Revised, All-New Edition


Southern Living Inc. - 2004
    - Descriptions of over 7,000 plants keyed to climate zone maps- 33 unique plant selection guides- Thousands of color photos and illustrations

View from a Sketchbook: Nature Through the Eyes of Marjolein Bastin


Marjolein Bastin - 2004
    This work provides an intimate portrait of nature artist Marjolein Bastin as she works through the seasons of the year to create her art.

Management-Intensive Grazing: The Grassroots of Grass Farming


Jim Gerrish - 2004
    Using vivid images and detailed explanations, Gerrish takes graziers step by step through the MiG system. He begins from the ground up with the soil, and advances through the management of pastures and animals.From Gerrish's lively chapters you'll learn the following:How to manage the water cycleMaking pasture fertility payHow to grow quality pastureWorking with legumesThe power of stock densityHow to match forage supply and animal demandManaging pastures and animalsHow to judge maximum intake of forageHow to extend the grazing systemHow to stockpile forage for low cost winteringPasture weaning for health and weight gainDealing with pests and parasitesCoping with and minimizing pasture bloatPlanning and using permanent and perimeter fencingWhen and how to use portable fencingWater requirements for a MiG systemBasic guidelines for designing a MiG systemUsing pasture records for information not just dataAnd much more.Written for those new to MiG grazing, Gerrish's insight and personal experience can help experienced graziers fine tune their grazing operations for added income.Gerrish grew up on a grain and alfalfa hay farm in south-central Illinois. He caught grass fever in the mid 1970s and left the grain farming scene, never to return. He spent over 22 years conducting beef-forage systems research and outreach while on the faculty of the University of Missouri, and has over 20 years of commercial cattle and sheep production on his family farm in northern Missouri. He currently is an independent grazing lands consultant providing service to grass farmers and ranchers throughout the USA.Shipping Weight 1.5 lbs.

The Kingfisher Illustrated Nature Encyclopedia


David Burnie - 2004
    The second section, "The Living World," introduces the kingdoms of life on the planet, from microscopic life, through plants to animals. The third and main section of the book, "Wildlife Habitats," takes a detailed look at the world's habitats, with "species features" that focus on animals and plants that are of particular interest, such as the vampire squid and the bristlecone pine.

Healing Secrets of the Native Americans: Herbs, Remedies, and Practices that Restore the Body, Mind, and Spirit


Porter Shimer - 2004
    

Terrific Garden Tonics!: 345 Do-It-Yourself, Fix 'em Formulas for Maintaining a Lush Lawn & Gorgeous Garden (Good Gardening Series)


Jerry Baker - 2004
    And now, you can get my ultimate tonics book-the only one that's jam-packed with my world-famous mixes for growing a great lawn, trees, flowers, roses, bulbs, vines, groundcovers, vegetables, and container plants-all in one giant book!

Plants and Empire: Colonial Bioprospecting in the Atlantic World


Londa Schiebinger - 2004
    In the eighteenth century, epic scientific voyages were sponsored by European imperial powers to explore the natural riches of the New World, and uncover the botanical secrets of its people. Bioprospectors brought back medicines, luxuries, and staples for their king and country. Risking their lives to discover exotic plants, these daredevil explorers joined with their sponsors to create a global culture of botany.But some secrets were unearthed only to be lost again. In this moving account of the abuses of indigenous Caribbean people and African slaves, Schiebinger describes how slave women brewed the "peacock flower" into an abortifacient, to ensure that they would bear no children into oppression. Yet, impeded by trade winds of prevailing opinion, knowledge of West Indian abortifacients never flowed into Europe. A rich history of discovery and loss, "Plants and Empire" explores the movement, triumph, and extinction of knowledge in the course of encounters between Europeans and the Caribbean populations.

Trees of Pennsylvania: A Complete Reference Guide


Ann Fowler Rhoads - 2004
    Artisans craft fine musical instruments from the wood of native red spruces. And in autumn, the leaves of sugar maples turn brilliant orange-gloriously coloring Penn's Woods. The naturalist, forester, or weekend observer will discover all this and more in Trees of Pennsylvania.Written by botanists at the Morris Arboretum, the official arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, this is the most comprehensive, authoritative, and accessible field and natural history guide to the state's tree life. Ann Rhoads and Timothy Block cover all of Pennsylvania's 195 trees, both native and naturalized. Each species is described in a concise, tabular format that includes the characteristics of leaves, branches, bark, flowers, and fruits. The authors discuss flowering and fruiting time, autumn leaf color, and the size of the largest specimen recorded within the state. Rhoads and Block further provide valuable historical, ecological, and economic information on each tree species, including how Pennsylvania's trees were used by Native Americans and early European settlers.This fully illustrated, user-friendly volume contains a combination of line drawings by botanical artist Anna Anisko, color photographs, range maps, and identification keys so readers will be able accurately to identify each tree species. It also offers useful information on the biology of trees, the history of Pennsylvania's many forests, and important lists of the endangered, threatened, and rare trees within the state. This is an indispensable guide for anyone interested in Pennsylvania's natural history and tree life.

The Remarkable Baobab


Thomas Pakenham - 2004
    Many of the specimens still standing today have been around for well over two thousand years. Tremendous in size and bizarre in appearance, they have provided food, medicine, and places of refuge and worship to countless peoples, even serving as prisons and tombs on occasion. Long before European explorers opened up the African continent, the news of these "gnarled upside-down giants" had astonished the world of science and stoked the imagination of naturalists everywhere. Thomas Pakenham chronicles his personal encounters with the baobabs of Africa, Australia, Madagascar, and America and shares the countless superstitions and myths, as well as the often-strange history, that surround these enigmatic trees. With 60 color photos and 144 pages with color throughout, The Remarkable Baobab will be a great, and reasonably priced, gift book for the Christmas season.

Berry Best Gardening Book (Strawberry Shortcake)


Megan E. Bryant - 2004
    Sidebars and a glossary will help little gardeners learn about different plants, tools, and garden facts. And a sweet gardening story ties into Strawberry Shortcake's Gardening Video!

The Dynamic Landscape: Design, Ecology and Management of Naturalistic Urban Planting


Nigel Dunnett - 2004
    More recently, a strong aesthetic element has been added to what was formerly a movement aimed at creating nature-like landscapes.This book advances an innovative fusion of scientific and ecological planting design philosophies which can address the need for more sustainable designed landscapes. It is a major statement on the design, implementation and management of ecologically-inspired landscape vegetation. With contributions from experts at the forefront of development in this area across Europe and North America, this work gives the reader a valuable synthesis of current thinking.

The Complete Guide to Edible Wild Plants, Mushrooms, Fruits, and Nuts: How to Find, Identify, and Cook Them


Katie Letcher Lyle - 2004
    An illustrated field guide to the most common edible wild plants, complete with recipes and folklore.

Native Trees for North American Landscapes


Guy Sternberg - 2004
    Since they have evolved with local conditions and are well adapted to their climate, they often require less maintenance and won't escape to invade a balanced ecosystem. The authors' extensive horticultural knowledge is distilled in this comprehensive cross section of trees native to North America, from the Atlantic to the Rockies and from northern Canada to the Gulf Coast. The main section of the book is divided into tree profiles, each describing flowers and fruit, native and adaptive range, culture, and problems. The authors also list the best seasonal features — whether a tree has striking bark in winter, for example, or bright fruit in fall. In all, more than 650 species and varieties, and more than 500 cultivars, are discussed.

Wild Flowers


Neil Fletcher - 2004
    From orchids to cowslips, learn everything you need to know to be able to quickly and easily identify over 400 of the UK and Europe's most commonly found wild flowers.

Trees of Pennsylvania Field Guide


Stan Tekiela - 2004
    Learn about 117 Pennsylvania trees, organized in the book by leaf type and attachment. Fact-filled information contains the particulars that you want to know, while full-page photos provide the visual detail needed for accurate identification. Trees are fascinating and wonderful, and this is the perfect introduction to them.

Encyclopedia Of Herb Gardening


Frances Hutchinson - 2004
    There is also handy information on using herbs in cooking, crafts, cosmetics, and gifts. With clear, comprehensive text, practical tips, and many lavish photographs, the Encyclopedia of Herb Gardening is the essential reference for anyone wishing to create a beautiful and productive herb garden.

Indoor Plant Gardening for Canada


Laura Peters - 2004
    Practical easy-to-use information covers best lighting, temperature control, humidity and soil conditions, watering and fertilizing, and integrated pest and disease management.

Nature in the Neighborhood


Gordon Morrison - 2004
    Full color.

Pachyforms: A Guide to Growing Caudiciform and Pachycaul Plants


Philippe De Vosjoli - 2004
    The text is complemented with 350 color photos of some of the foremost examples of living art: giant babobab trees, passion flower relatives that resemble witch's cauldrons, and yams that become massive geodesic structures. Welcome to a world of bizarre and alien species that will jostle your preconceptions of plants.

A Natural History of Ferns


Robbin C. Moran - 2004
    Ferns live in habitats from the tropics to polar latitudes, and unlike seed plants, which endow each seed with the resources to help their offspring, ferns reproduce by minute spores. There are floating ferns, ferns that climb or live on trees, and ferns that are trees. There are poisonous ferns, iridescent ferns, and resurrection ferns that survive desert heat and drought. The relations of ferns and people are equally varied. Moran sheds light on Robinson Crusoe's ferns, the role of ferns in movies, and how ferns get their names. A Natural History of Ferns provides just what is needed for those who wish to grow ferns or observe them in their habitats with greater understanding and appreciation.

Caribbean Spice Island Plants: Trees, Shrubs And Climbers Of Grenada, Carriacou And Petit Martinique: A Picture Gallery With Notes On Identification, Historical And Other Trivia


William D. Hawthorne - 2004