The Complete Illustrated Guide to Everything Sold in Garden Centers (except the plants)

A comprehensive gardener's reference guide catalogues varieties of soil, seed, fertilizers, pesticides, tools, and many other items

Just as the title says, it's all here in this volume, a valuable addition to the gardener's bookshelf. Part I covers garden supplies; Part II tools, equipment and accessories. Soil mixes, gardening tools, pesticides, ornamental plaster statues of saints--each receives the same reasoned consideration in frank, easily understandable terms. Every item inspires entries detailing how to recognize and use it and how much to pay for it. Yet what can be most confusing for gardeners, particularly novices, is the welter of brand and common names often employed for gardening merchandise--and Ettlinger ( The Complete Illustrated Guide to Everything Sold in Hardware Stores ) helps clear it up by listing synonymous terms wherever applicable. And when it's cheaper to concoct, say, a soilless mix than to buy it, the author isn't bashful about telling how. Although the title makes an exception of plants, an appendix contains a simplified yet user-friendly buying guide to the "greengoods" sold at garden centers. Other appendixes list items for gardeners "who have difficulty gripping, bending, kneeling, reaching, or are confined to wheelchairs"; information sources; and mail-order catalogues. Illustrations not seen by PW.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Tom Philbin and Ettlinger's Complete Guide to Everything Sold in Hardware Stores ( LJ 3/1/89) was an exceptional book. It filled a real need by explaining the bewildering variety of products found in a typical hardware store. This book applies that same format to items found in garden centers. Product descriptions for items ranging from pesticides to scythes are included. The book doesn't rank one brand over another, but instead provides information needed to make informed buying decisions. Some of the products--pink flamingos and spinning daisies--are described with humor. Although there is no other book arranged like this, most of the information on garden tools, fertilizers, and pesticides can be found in good introductory gardening texts, so this is not a necessary purchase for most libraries.
-Peter C. Leonard, Mt. Lebanon P.L., Pa.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.