We who pursue gardening, whether it's herb growing, raising vegetables or filling our yard with colorful flowers seem to be inquisitive and wanting to learn more about our chosen pursuit. When basil does well one year, but not the next, or insects are devouring the squash or the salvia are not blooming the way they have in the past, we want to know-- WHY??

So, what do we do? We ask other gardeners, often looking to a person with more experience whether it's from years of gardening or simply having lived in our locale for more years.

We want to know, is this weather "normal"-- whatever that is anymore -- or do these bugs always show up during a drought? How do I deter deer from eating my vegetables before I do? It seems there are more questions than answers. And, if you are new to gardening, the problems and challenges can seem overwhelming.

What else do we do to answer our questions? We go to books and Internet sites. I think people have had questions about gardening ever since we stopped being nomads and settled down as an agricultural society. There have been gardening books to help answer our questions since 1305, according to some sources.

According to "Garden Cuttings Newsletter," Schultz Communications 12-02-03, the first gardening book was written by Pietro de Crescenzi in 1305 and hand printed in Italy. After the invention of printing in 1438, it was the first book to go to press. By 1493 editions in four languages appeared.

The book was composed with the purpose of providing the intelligent farmer with a practical account of all aspects of farming. It included material concerning plant growth, extracted from the work of Albertus Magnus as well as the arrangement of farm buildings and water supply. Among the subjects treated were:

1. Cultivation of cereals, peas and beans.

2. Cultivation of grapes and making of wines.

3. Cultivation of fruit trees, vegetables, medicinal plants and flowers.

4. Care of woods.

His most original writing involved an elaborate presentation of grafting of grapes, trees and the insect larvae destroying plants.

Finally, in 1450 the first English gardening how-to book was published by John "the Gardiner." He describes grafting, pruning and harvesting all in essay to remember jingling rhymes. He lists 97 plants. But the potato and the carrot are absent. Neither had yet arrived in England.

Now, in our times, we have a plethora of books on gardening and a seemingly never-ending supply of gardening websites to view. There are a few books that I rely on time after time. The list is by no means meant to be a complete list, but rather ones I personally have found useful. And I thought you might, too.

My go-to book for Herb Growing in the South is called, not surprisingly, Southern Herb Growing. It's by Madalene Hill and her daughter Gwen Barclay.

This book is perfect for those of us in the South with high heat and humidity, almost no dormant periods and often unfriendly soil.

Deni Bown has created an authoritative book on herbs and their uses in this Herb Society of America New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. A customer review from Amazon.com states very correctly: "This is the definitive guide to growing herbs from around the globe. It not only covers the history of herbs, it shows you the practical uses and gives a comprehensive A-Z list of herbs with their cultivation, propagation and harvesting information. This is a herb-lover's dream come true.

Not only does it feature the beneficial properties of herbs, but they give information on the properties of each herb and have included culinary, medical and commercial uses as a bonus. There are also special warning symbols to alert you to potentially toxic herbs."

Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs is an all around book for Herbs with information on individual herbs, herb garden design, crafting with herbs and history is an old standby, Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. Amazon.com says the following: "Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs is a virtually endless source of useful information and herbal know-how. Presented in an A-to-Z format, supplemented with easy-to-use charts and lists, beautifully illustrated with drawings and color photographs, it is the only book on herbs you ever need to buy." Well... I don't know about that, but it does contain a lot of information.

For those of us who like to propagate our own herbs, there is no better book than Tom deBaggio's Growing Herbs from Seed, Cuttings and Root. "Starting a herb garden is made easier with this guide, which advances new techniques, dispels common herb growing myths, and clarifies the basics for creating healthy, vigorous plant starts for a herb garden. How to sow seeds directly into the ground, start seedlings indoors under lights, induce stem tip cuttings to root, and create new plants by dividing and layering are all covered in detail. An abundance of colour photographs ensure success even for the brown-thumbed beginner."

If you are interested in Herbs as part of a healthy lifestyle the information can be somewhat confusing. One author I rely on for down to earth, clear information is Dr. James Duke. Here is more information on Dr. Duke. Any of his books are very useful and informative. Here's the first one I became familiar with, The Green Pharmacy.

"Many diseases and conditions for which we turn to modern medicine can also be treated naturally with healing herbs, medicinal food, other natural remedies--and these treatments can be safer, less expensive and possibly even more effective than traditional methods. Let Dr. James Duke, the world's leading authority on healing herbs, lead you through the vast world of natural remedies--from Anise for Asthma to Violet for Varicose Veins, and everything in between. With just a few trips to the health-food store, the supermarket, or your own backyard--and with the help of Dr. Duke--you'll have everything you need to create your own Natural Medicine Cabinet."

Cooking with herbs is more than just creating good tasting food, herbs add nutrition and healthy benefits. Cookbooks abound, of course, so here's one that's a little different. Seasoning Savvy: How to Cook With Herbs, Spices, and Other Flavorings By Alice Arndt.

"A unique work dealing in-depth with flavor and flavorings!With the increasing popularity of regional and ethnic cuisines, cooks frequently encounter recipes calling for unfamiliar seasonings. Seasoning Savvy: How to Cook with Herbs, Spices, and Other Flavorings serves as a guide to identifying, locating, selecting, storing and using these exotic ingredients. Well-established flavorings are not neglected as Seasoning Savvy also brings new insights into cooking with these old favorites. No other book supplies so much information about so many herbs and spices as Seasoning Savvy."

Another Herbal cookbook for those of you who like to venture into more unusual flavorings is The Lavender Cookbook by Sharon Shipley.

"The appeal of lavender extends beyond its fragrance to the rich yet delicate flavor it adds to a variety of foods. Here's the first cookbook to focus on ways in which the aromatic herb can be used to enhance ordinary ingredients. More than 90 recipes, such as Grilled Lavender-Honey Chicken, Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms with Lavender Goat Cheese, and Double Chocolate and Lavender Gelato, highlight appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, baked goods, and desserts, with tips on growing and preserving lavender."

A book on General Gardening that I could not live without is by Southern Living Magazine, The Southern Living Garden Book, which is widely available. "When it first hit the shelves in 1998, it took the South by storm. After all, it was the first major, comprehensive gardening encyclopedia solely dedicated to the South. Now there's a new reason to celebrate. The 2004 edition is bigger, brighter, and bolder than ever, with more luscious photography, updated plant listings, and a special focus on native and heritage plants. Find the right plant for every place with Plant Selection Guides and 7,000 plant listings keyed to the Southern Living climate maps. With hundreds of practical hints and tips‹plus some garden gospel from Southern Living's resident experts‹this is the single most authoritative source for gardening in the South."

Since I live in the South, I tend to focus on gardening information for my region. Many states have a gardening magazine for the local area, as we have Texas Gardener Magazine, a very informative and attractive publication. Check with your Extension Agent to find publications relevant to your particular area.

This month's issue has a beautiful cover and lots of good articles.


Other magazines I like that focus more on gardening around the US are Fine Gardening and Organic Gardening, two very different publications, each with its own take on the world of gardens and those who care for them.

I hope I have been able to provide novice and experienced gardeners, alike, with some more ways to find the information you're looking for. There are, as I mentioned, myriad gardening websites as well as magazines I did not mention. The Herb Cottage Website has links to many gardening and herb websites you can browse.

QUOTE FOR THE MONTH

In all things of nature there is something marvelous. - Aristotle