Description:
Looking to expand the range of blooms in your garden, but aren't sure where to start--and don't have the best track record for healthy houseplants? Annuals for Dummies answers plant-care questions and supplies a huge range of choices--and you don't have to know the Latin name for your favorite flowers to learn more about them. Planting zones are explained in detail, whether you live in a lowland marsh, a high-altitude desert, or the very middle of the Midwest, and growing conditions are outlined so they make sense for novices. There are month-by-month calendars--you'll never forget to start seeds in March or fertilize in July--and you'll even understand why you're doing it. Plant choices cover the 10 most popular choices (zinnias, sunflowers) in one chapter, while more exotics (bells of Ireland) are covered in another. Thorough instructions are provided for each type--you'll know right away whether the size, color, and temperature requirements make it a good choice for your garden. The big downside to this book is its lack of pictures. There are lots of line drawings, but they tend to show particular stages of a process, rather than each step. Color photos are limited to one section, and since the photos are quite separate from the descriptions, they don't add much value to the book. With bullet-point lists, icons for highlighting categories like ecofriendly or timesaving, and simple tables and charts, how-to photos aren't essential. For folks who learn best with straightforward reading, the presentation won't be an issue, but if pictorial aids are what you need for learning, look elsewhere. --Jill Lightner
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