 Beth's Best Bets
Over the years, I have come across some great stuff that has made my life easier as a gardener and a garden designer. I would like to share with you some of my favorites...
Best Gardening Resource
Have you tried your local university's extension service? The land-grant university in your state* most likely operates an "extension" of their research and knowledge to the state's residents. Extension typically provides the most up-to-date information about gardening, among other things, in the form of free or low-cost publications. Many Extensions mail publications to out-of-state gardeners at the same low cost as in-state residents, so you may want to look up a state with a similar climate for information. Most Extensions also have a great online presence, with easily downloadable information. Extension offices can also direct you to your state's Master Gardener program.
In Oregon, every county has an Extension office. Just look in the front section of your phone book under "County Government." In Corvallis, Benton County's Extension Service is at 1849 N.W. 9th Street, phone number 766-6750.
*Oregon's land-grant university is Oregon State University here in Corvallis.
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Best Gardening Stuff
InsideOut Garden Visions, Corvallis, Oregon
This store is a great place to go for delightful garden accessories and gifts.
Down to Earth Distributors, Eugene, Oregon
They carry their own lineof natural and organic fertilizers, as well as a selection of quality gardening tools and accessories.
Pinetree Garden Seeds
They sell smaller amounts of seeds for the gardener who does not want 100 tomato plants of all the same kind, and they sell lots of full price and discounted books and gardening supplies. {This Best Bet is from Lance Gardner of Gloucester Point, Virginia.}
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Best Tool
 The Korean hoe (hand tool)
The design is ingenious: the curve of the blade allows you to get into that clay soil that we have here in the West. I use it to plant bulbs, to weed, and to cultivate the soil. If I could have just three hand tools, it would be a trowel, pruners and a Korean hoe. (Available at Territorial Seed Company and probably your local nursery)
p.s. I used long-handled one for digging though clay to lay a foundation for a low rock wall. It was good to have because, at first, the ditch was not wide enough to get a traditional hoe into. The Korean hoe worked like a charm!
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Best Gardening Book Sources
Amazon.com - the biggest and best
Because the books are discounted so much at Amazon, you might just end up paying less than at your local bookstore--even when you factor in shipping costs. Plus, you can shop in your jammies! I'm not crazy about how Amazon has become a superstore selling everything from tooth whiteners to garden hoses, but I only shop in the book department. There I enjoy the candid book reviews from real people, and the fact that they give me recommendations based on what I have bought in the past (although it's sometimes hard to get past that creepy, big-brother feeling).
 Powells.com - great for out-of-print books
Any Northwesterner knows about "Powell's City of Books, the Largest Used and New Bookstore in the World," which just happens to be in nearby Portland. I have been going there for years to get cut-rate, good condition used gardening books. I think lots of people get them as gifts and never read them, then bring them in to Powell's a few years later. Their loss = my gain! Powells now has a great website that will send anything from their shelves to your home.
Powells.com is great for finding out-of-print books--and gardening books go out of print pretty quickly. This was helpful to me when I was looking for an out-of-print book that I had checked out at the library. I looked all over the world (via the Internet) for that book, and where did I find it? Powell's!
Edward R. Hamilton Bookseller
Many inexpensive books, and if you mail in your order, there is only one shipping charge for the entire order of (I think) $3.50. {This Best Bet is from Lance Gardner of Gloucester Point, Virginia.}
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Beth's Best Books
A good gardening book is a glimpse into an expert's world--an expert willing to share her (or his) expertise! Here are some of the best books, with links to great book sources. And be sure to check out the "Beth's Basic Gardening Library" entries--books that every gardener should have.
Book categories (click to jump directly to the category you're interested in):
CATEGORY: General Gardening
 The Four-Season Landscape by Susan A. Roth
I think every one of my clients has said that they want year-round interest in their gardens. And why not? It is a great goal. This smallish book encourages good design principles and gets the reader to look beyond flowers for a lovely landscape. Good how-to info, too. Interested? Try Amazon.com or Powells.com. This book is a Beth's Basic Gardening Library selection.
Anything by Gertrude Jekyll
She wrote 100 years ago with such love of gardening and garden design that you can't help but be inspired. To purchase books by or about her, click here: Amazon.com or Powells.com. (for an article I wrote about her book, Children and Gardens, click here)
Gardening with Nature by James Van Sweden
James Van Sweden is co-founder of Oehme, Van Sweden and Associates, a dynamic landscape architecture firm in Washington D.C. This firm specializes in innovative designs which, among other things, take the lawn out of the front yard. Photos and detailed planting plans illustrate their case studies.
Landscaping from the Ground Up by Sara Jane von Trapp
Just a good all-around introduction to landscaping, especially helpful for the beginning do-it-yourselfer. Although the book does not get too much in depth on any subject, the photos are highly illustrative and one gets a good idea of how things are done. Interested? Try Amazon.com or Powells.com. This book is a Beth's Basic Gardening Library selection.
In Your Own Backyard by A. Cort Sinnes
I just love this book. Cleary written with a love of those lazy summer days spent hanging around outside, this book gets you in the mood for all that you can do--and create--in your own backyard. A great getting-started book if you just want to "do something," but you're not sure what. I have a couple copies to loan to clients to get them in the mood. Out of print, but try Amazon.com or Powells.com to buy an old copy.
The Feng Shui Garden and How to Feng Shui Your Garden by Gill HaleI
I gotta admit, I first picked How to Feng Shui Your Garden off the shelf because I thought using the term Feng Shui as a verb was so American and so wrong! But really, it's a handy, small-sized version of The Feng Shui Garden, full of photos and graphics. It's a good book to have if you already have a Feng Shui book or have taken a class.
These books provide a brief introduction to whole new way of looking at the garden. Easy-to-understand graphics and lots of photos really help the westerner to understand these very Eastern principles. At Amazon.com or Powells.com
The Sensuous Garden by Montagu Don
An artistic ode to the many ways one can enjoy the garden. To check availability or buy, try Amazon.com or Powells.com
Tools of the Earth by Jeff Taylor
Local boy writes good! More of a series of essays on everyday rural life in the coastal mountains of Oregon than a "gardening book," this gem of a book is perhaps more inspirational than educational. The fourth chapter is one of the more romantic essays on married life--its challenges and simple satisfactions--that I have read. The title? Garden Trowel. For availablity and/or price, Try Amazon.com or Powells.com.
Category: Garden Art and Ornamentals
On Garden Style by Bunny Williams with Nancy Drew
A great starter book for the homeowner who is just finding their own style. Lots of photos for inspiration and a down-to-earth attitude about style. To purchase, click here: Amazon.com or Powells.com
Garden Art and Ornament Books
For more great books, please see the Recommended Reading handout (PDF file) from my Linn-Benton Community College class, "Art and Ornament in the Garden."
CATEGORY: Perennials
 The Year in Bloom and other books by Ann Lovejoy
Ms. Lovejoy has such a pleasing style of writing--witty and educated--that she reminds me of Ellen Goodman (sans politics). To purchase books by her, click Amazon.com or Powells.com.
Encyclopaedia of Border Plants by Hanneke Van Dijk
Every time I open this book, I end up reading more entries than I intended. It's like you're at a great party and you keep seeing more and more of your favorite people. Each entry has a good description of the plant, its uses and the main cultivars (which helps when you are trying to figure out what type of delphinium you have, for example). There are hundreds of entries--so there's always more to learn! For more information, go to Amazon.com or Powells.com. This book is a Beth's Basic Gardening Library selection.
Caring for Perennials by Janet Macunovich
This book will either make you (1) feel guilty that you are not out there RIGHT NOW caring for your perennials, or (2) happy that you now have a clue about what to do with those plants that always look so great in the gardening magazines, but, well, not so much in your own garden. To purchase, click on Amazon or Powells.com.
CATEGORY: Irrigation
Reliable Rain by Howard Hendrix and Stuart Straw
Available at Amazon or Powells.
Ortho's All About Sprinklers and Drip Systems
Available at Amazon or Powells.
Drip Irrigation for Every Landscape and All Climates by Robert Kourik
Available at Amazon or Powells.
CATEGORY: Construction, Contractors
 The Art and Craft of Stonescaping: Setting and Stacking Stone by David Reed
You can just tell when reading this book that the author has a deep knowledge and love of the subject. While I really love stone walls (my Celtic blood?), this book brought a new appreciation for the beauty, utility and versatility of the art. A very good how-to book as well: I learned how to dry-stack my own low retaining walls from this book. If you are interested in purchasing, check Amazon.com or Powells.com.
Making Paths and Walkways by Paige Gilchrist Blomgren
I'll admit that I have a weird interest in all things paving. This book shows the variety that is out there--and it might get you thinking of some new possibilities.To check availability and/or prices, try Amazon.com.
 Great Decks and Porches by Rick Peters
At under $15, this is a great investment to make before you start hammerin' those nails. This book has actual photos of actual hands working with actual wood through every step of the process. It is even up to date with the latest in deck technology, such as Timbertech® and the EB-TY fastening system. Click to Amazon.com or Powells.com to purchase.
How to Design and Install Outdoor Lighting by Ortho Books
I have quite a few books about outdoor lighting, and I have found this to be the best overview of the whole process. If you plan on enhancing the nightscape of your home, get this book first. Here's where to find it: Amazon.com or Powells.com.
On Budget and On Time: A Home Renovation Survival Guide by John Rusk
This is a great way to do business. Every homeowner contemplating working with contractors should read this book! Interesting to read, with a storyline which emphasizes the ideas put forth. To purchase, click to Amazon.com or Powells.com.
CATEGORY: Reference
 Sunset Western Garden Book by the editors of Sunset Magazine
THE basic landscaping book that every gardener should have. Great for choosing plants as well as caring for them once they are home. I have been wearing out my books (I get new versions every few years) for over 20 years. There is a new version out, with all the latest cultivars, but you can probably get an older version for a song from Powells. Here are the links: Amazon.com or Powells.com. This book is a Beth's Basic Gardening Library selection. Here are the links: Amazon.com or Powells.com. This book is a Beth's Basic Gardening Library selection.
Sunset Western Garden Problem Solver by the editors of Sunset Magazine
I loaned one to a friend last month, and learned how much I refer to it-- I have needed it on at least three occasions! Every gardener should have this. Get one for yourself--and a friend! Try Amazon.com or Powells.com. This book is a Beth's Basic Gardening Library selection.
CATEGORY: Journals
 The Western Gardener's Journal by Margaret Moulton
This is the journal that I use. I like that you can view three years of entries side-by-side (I'm in year one), that it is hard cardboard, and that there is a big rubber band to mark your date. And, after you've exhausted yourself with yardwork and sit on the chaise lounge to document it, you can read the prose so you are inspired to go out there and do it again. For more info, check Amazon.com or Powells.com.
Beth's Basic Gardening Library
These are must-have books for any gardener.
Sunset Western Garden Book, edited by Kathleen Norris Brenzel
Sunset Western Garden Problem Solver by Sunset Books
Landscaping from the Ground Up by Sara Jane von Trapp
Encyclopaedia of Border Plants by Hanneke Van Dijk
The Four-Season Landscape by Susan Roth
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