The 'Science' of gardening

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Permalink Reply by Caro on March 15, 2011 at 19:31

I completely agree about 'An Ear to the Ground' being very readable.  I bought it when I had a horsetail problem on my old allotment and quickly became absorbed in other chapters. It has languished on the shelf for a couple of years but your discussion has brought it back to mind (now even more relevant!) and it's going on the (huge) pile on my bedside table.

Permalink Reply by Petra Hoyer Millar on March 15, 2011 at 23:54

Well hopefully my copy will arrive soon, so I will be able to relay some of the highly anticipated content! In the meantime, have discovered that I have read a book by Kenneth Thompson, but as I have a terrifically appalling habit of forgetting names, I didn't realise. It is in fact probably also a 'scientific' type book, relevant to this discussion - "Compost; the natural way to make food for your garden". Worth reading!

Permalink Reply by VP on March 15, 2011 at 23:57

Yep, that's one of his and of course compost is a favourite topic of any vegetable gardener :)

Petra Hoyer Millar said:

Well hopefully my copy will arrive soon, so I will be able to relay some of the highly anticipated content! In the meantime, have discovered that I have read a book by Kenneth Thompson, but as I have a terrifically appalling habit of forgetting names, I didn't realise. It is in fact probably also a 'scientific' type book, relevant to this discussion - "Compost; the natural way to make food for your garden". Worth reading!

Permalink Reply by Petra Hoyer Millar on March 15, 2011 at 23:58

Admittedly, a compost heap is still missing in our garden. Terrible I know,... we are working on it. Although we need some that are industrial size! Any ideas, suggestions are very welcome!

Permalink Reply by sweetpea lou on August 15, 2011 at 13:21

I can recommend 'Botany for Gardeners' by Brian Capon. I used it for my RHS studies and it was invaluable. It is fascinating to discover the complexity of plants. It is probably up to A level Science but that shouldn't put people off, he has an excellent way of explaining subjects.

Permalink Reply by VP on August 15, 2011 at 16:30

Thanks Sweetpea Lou - that's the standard text on the subject and as you say is very good. There's usually quite a few copies available secondhand (especially as we're fast approaching the start of college RHS courses)or available at the library if anyone's interested.
sweetpea lou said:

I can recommend 'Botany for Gardeners' by Brian Capon. I used it for my RHS studies and it was invaluable. It is fascinating to discover the complexity of plants. It is probably up to A level Science but that shouldn't put people off, he has an excellent way of explaining subjects.