Gardening Information: Where You Can Find It

ONCE AN INTEREST in home gardening has been kindled, good garden talk seems to be everywhere—over the fence with the neighbors, in the programs and chats with garden club members, in your newspapers, in regional and national magazines, on radio and television, in bright, new garden books that appear every year in bookstores and in your library, and of course in the perennially tantalizing plant and seed catalogues.

Surely more is being said about gardening today than ever before. As a talk sport, gardening is bigger than baseball (some gardeners will argue that it's a faster game). Fortunately, gardening is one thing that everybody—the young, the old, even the blind and other handicapped—can work at with satisfaction and delight. Along with all the good talk, a lot of good gardening is being done.

Even if you are a novice gardener, you have no doubt discovered the universality of gardening interest. While you may agree it's fun to talk about gardening, your basic question is, "How can I have a better garden?" This gets down to such practical matters as what to plant, where and how to plant it, and how to keep it adequately fed, watered, and healthy.

This type of practical information will be found in the sources closest to you—your neighbor, if he has gardening expertise; your local garden clubs; your county agent or Extension Service horticultural specialist; your local newspaper and other publications; and of course your nearby nurseryman or garden supply dealer.

This leaves a world of information to be explored later—for example, the garden book collection in your favorite bookstore or library. But in home gardening there are good reasons to learn what you can nearest home first.

Foremost of these reasons is the sharp variation in soil and climate conditions within a few miles, especially if those miles lead to higher or lower altitudes. The United States has about every type of climate and soil to be found in the world; spring comes late in some regions, early in others; growing seasons may be short or long, rainfall heavy or light. National publications offering gardening information have difficulty being specific and timely for gardeners in various sections of the country.

Just now your problem may be the drainage in your backyard, which spots get the best sun, and what is most likely to grow in your neighborhood even if you do nearly everything wrong. To mulch or not to mulch? That may be the question. And your local mulch-seller will say, "Sure, mulch." But your neighbor can tell you which mulch is best, how deep to mulch, where, and why in your particular location.

A visit with a successful, experienced, and enthusiastic gardening friend or neighbor will help a novice gardener get a correct start, or keep on the right track.

Good gardeners participate in local gardening clinics or workshops, have memberships in garden clubs or horticultural societies, and read gardening literature. These people know what cultural practices have made their own gardens successful and as a rule will gladly demonstrate and discuss their techniques.

Probably most important for the new gardener is that gardening friends and neighbors speak frankly about sources of reliable plants and gardening equipment. This exchange of information helps gardeners avoid poor-quality materials, gimmicks, and many gardening disappointments or failures.

For the same reasons, membership in a local garden club is valuable and a pleasure. If membership is not convenient, reading the nearest garden club or plant society bulletin can be helpful. Another source of garden information geared to specific needs in a countywide area is the Cooperative Extension Service, a quite extraordinary Federal, State, and county partnership with access to resources of the land-grant colleges in each State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Cooperative Extension Service has an office in 3,150 county seats, or in nearly every county in the Nation. You will find it listed in your phone book under the county government. Most county extension offices have for distribution a supply of USDA garden publications and the many fine publications prepared for laymen by State university horticulturists and others.

Many extension agents have gardening articles and personal columns in local newspapers; some conduct regular radio and television garden shows. Some also offer soil testing services, usually for a small charge, and sponsor lecture series and correspondence courses open to the public.

In several regions the Extension Service produces and operates garden tip-a-phone tapes, changed weekly or more often, which give current gardening advice. If you live in one of these areas, you can dial a number on your telephone and hear an expert tell you what you should be doing in your garden right now.

In some instances, the tape will also record your request for publications to be mailed to you. One of these is in Pierce County, Wash., where the "Dial-a-Home-and-Garden-Tip" program of the county Extension agents gets 40,000 calls a year.

While local sources are of practical importance for the home gardener, garden editors of large-circulation national magazines use much the same sources—and in much the same way. When it comes to real gardening, the "green thumb" is as rare as a magic wand. Nobody has one—he learns by doing, sometimes by doing wrong.

How do the experts become expert? Where do garden editors get their information? Marybeth Weston, garden editor for the magazine, House and Garden, answers this way:

"By talking to good gardeners and by digging in the soil, weather and weekends permitting. Of course, we read what others have to say about gardening, in all the magazines and books we can afford or find in the library. I read with great respect a local column in our up-county newspaper (Paul Casson in the Patent Trader, Mt. Kisco, N.Y.) and watch "The Green Thumb" on a New York TV station on Saturday mornings.

"But you learn most by asking gardeners about their methods and by haunting good local nurseries and arboretums. Oh, yes, I often call my county agent for advice, but I'll keep asking neighbors' help, just as I did when I was a safely anonymous amateur."

Nearly every daily newspaper in the United States has a full- or part-time garden editor, or an editor-writer for whom gardening is one of several continuing assignments. Usually these editors are experts, with years of practical gardening experience. Very few write about gardening who do not practice it, or who are not at the very least, gardeners emeritus.

These writers prepare reliable and timely gardening information for their area, and are aware of unique differences in soils, climate, or other local factors met by their gardening readers.

Garden editors usually base their writings on personal experience and their association with other gardening and horticultural experts.

They tell the gardener when and how to perform such chores as soil preparation, liming and fertilizing, pruning, weeding, mulching and composting; what plant varieties are most suited for the area; and what disease and insect management schedules to follow.

They give the reader this information well in advance, so that gardening chores can be well planned.

Some indication of the diversity of gardening communications can be seen in the membership of the Garden Writers Association of America—400 members employed as newspaper editors and columnists, magazine writers, book authors, radio and TV performers or programmers, free-lance garden writers, and public relations specialists.

Most garden editors encourage their readers to call or write to them for advice. They keep their readers informed about the time and place of garden workshops, clinics, and tours. These editors also know what garden clubs, plant societies, and other gardening associations are active in their area, and then can help an interested gardener obtain membership.

Among the most entertaining sources of gardening information are television shows, one of the earliest and most notable being that of Thalassa Cruso, who conducts "Making Things Grow" on Boston's WGBH/TV and a large portion of the other public television stations (PTV).

In Honolulu, Extension specialist Fortunato Teho has been conducting radio and television garden programs for 14 years (plus newspaper and magazine garden columns). Other garden telecasters and writers include Aileen Lubin in Washington, D.C.; Frank Atwood, Hartford, Conn.; Ed Hume, Seattle, Wash.; Dewey Compton in Houston, Tex.; Judson Francis in Fort Myers, Fla.; and Orville Gillespie in Berkeley, Calif.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture contributes public service tapes and video tape features to innumerable radio and television broadcasts. Many of these deal with one or another aspect of home gardening. Extension agents in many counties, especially in urban counties, make frequent radio and TV appearances or supply gardening information to broadcasters. All of these draw upon the research resources and publications of the Agricultural Research Service, Cooperative State Research Service, Forest Service, and Soil Conservation Service, as well as university and commercial resources.

Garden books and booklets increase in number and attractiveness each year. As noted, your best source for free or inexpensive government and university leaflets and booklets on home gardening and related topics is the nearest office of the Extension Service. Lists of similar Federal publications may be requested from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Magazine articles generally contain information that is current, as most magazine publishers depend on regional writers to assure that readers will be given the most accurate information.

Only after a reader has some gardening experience and knowledge will he know what publications are reliable, when information is out-of-date or just a rehash of material published elsewhere, and how to adapt useful information to the local situation.

State and Federal publications are periodically revised and updated. U.S. Department of Agriculture publications are general, and are not prepared for any specific area. Publications issued by State extension services or universities are written for local use and thus the information applies specifically to a relatively limited area.

Much gardening help may be found in the publications of commercial plant, seed, and fertilizer companies. Some of these, or addresses to which to write, may be obtained from garden stores or nursery centers. Once your name is on several mailing lists you will not lack garden reading material, though not all of it will be offered free of charge.

Two national horticultural societies in the United States are the American Horticultural Society and the American Society for Horticultural Science.

There are also 40 national plant societies, such as the Chrysanthemum Society, Rose Society, American Rhododendron Society, American Rock Garden Society, and African Violet Society of America, Inc. Besides these, there are numerous State societies and some international plant societies.

The American Horticultural Society (AHS) publication, Directory of American Horticulture, tells where to turn for information or assistance in any aspect of horticulture and gives names and addresses of the numerous plant and garden societies.

Objective of the AHS is to unite the many phases of American horticulture and to supplement their efforts, to represent horticulturists nationally and internationally, and encourage and promote horticulture and kindred interests. The society supports horticultural and botanical gardens, such as the New York Botanical Gardens, in New York City; Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Va.; Kingwood Center, Mansfield, Ohio; Strybring Arboretum, San Francisco, Calif.; and Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Ga.

Other AHS activities include a seed service, an annual Horticultural Congress, a quarterly journal, and special publications, such as handbooks on holly, daffodils, and peonies.

More information about this society may be obtained from O. Keister Evans, Executive Director, American Horticultural Society, Inc., 901 North Washington Street, Alexandria, Va.

The mission of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) is to serve as the professional society for horticulturists and to promote and encourage scientific research and education in horticulture.

This society publishes two bimonthly publications which contain detailed results of scientific research in all phases of horticulture.

Correspondence regarding membership or other information should be directed to Cecil Blackwell, Executive Director, American Society for Horticultural Science, P.O. Box 109, St. Joseph, Mich. 49085.

Women's garden clubs foster both the esthetic and horticultural aspects of gardening. Their programs include such activities as developing a conservation curriculum guide for schools, developing slide programs in landscaping or flower arranging and design, and providing speakers at adult workshops and teachers for youth programs.

The women's clubs initiate and support many community improvement projects. They may purchase trees or shrubs for a park, contribute their time and talents to cleanup drives, plant roadsides at the entrance to cities, or plant and maintain areas around municipal buildings and schools. Many members improve their gardening and artistic abilities by enrolling in flower shows and judging schools.

Garden club members also participate in therapy programs for physically and mentally handicapped people and provide them the necessary materials and instructions for growing and enjoying plants.

The National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc., 4401 Magnolia Avenue, St. Louis, Mo. 63110, or local clubs can provide advice and help.

Another organization, Garden Club of America, aims to preserve natural beauty spots and green areas for future generations. Each month more than 1,200 conservation education packets entitled "The World Around You" are sent to schools all over the world. These packets are intended primarily for students in the fifth, sixth, and seventh grades.

Garden Club of America showed concern for our environment in 1930, when money was raised for the purchase of endangered redwood areas of California, now known as the Garden Club of America Grove. In Philadelphia, this organization planned and planted a garden around Independence Hall. It gives the U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, D.C., financial assistance for procuring plant materials and conducting educational programs.

More information about the club's horticultural and environmental programs can be obtained by writing to: Garden Club of America, 598 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022.

The objective of Men's Garden Clubs of America is to bring better gardening to more people. These clubs consist of men who share a common interest in home gardening and want to learn more about plants, soils, flowers, trees, vegetables, and the art and science of growing things.

Local chapters organize programs for civic beautification. Members often participate in planning and zoning commissions, and parks and recreation commissions. They also support or take leadership in projects such as rose and chrysanthemum test gardens, indoor gardening for the residents of high-rise apartments, and touch-and-smell gardens for the blind.

Local men's garden clubs also sponsor youth gardening projects. Youth gardening is dramatized nationally with "big pumpkin" and "giant sunflower" contests in which thousands of young gardeners participate. These clubs also provide some project leaders for 4–H garden clubs and hope to expand this activity.

Local chapters provide flower and garden judges for fairs, and stage flower and garden shows.

Members of the Men's Garden Clubs of America receive The Gardener, the official magazine, and other how-to-garden information. They also have access to the club's loan library.

Hundreds of horticulturists from the clubs are available at any time, by letter or phone, to give advice and consultation on gardening problems. A list of speakers for any gardening occasion is available from the regional or national offices. Each of the 17 regions has at least one—and usually two or three—regional conferences each year.

Men's Garden Clubs of America maintain national headquarters at 5560 Merle Way Road, Des Moines, Iowa 50323. Lyman E. Duncan, Executive Secretary, will answer inquiries about the organization's activities.

People who are in the business of growing and selling plants have knowledge and experience that can be helpful to every home gardener. Garden clubs, neighborhood gardening organizations, plant societies, and individuals should seek the advice of these plants-men and benefit from their horticultural expertise.

Commercial plant growers should be on hand for consultation at home landscaping and gardening clinics. They can provide help on such matters as turf management; selection, planting, and pruning of trees and shrubs; soil management; insect management; and disease and weed control.

Landscape contractors and arborists offer many services, which vary from State to State. They can provide the technical knowledge for installing automatic sprinkler systems, equipment for transplanting or pruning large trees, other landscaping equipment, and spray service. These professionals can also help the gardener diagnose problems and provide planting instructions.

Landscape contractors may or may not grow plants; they specialize in executing landscaping plans or designs. Arborists specialize in maintaining trees and shrubs providing such services as pruning, tree surgery, and treatments for prevention or cure of diseases and management of insects.

The professional landscape architect is not concerned solely with plant material and vegetation. He is a designer who deals with the land much as an architect will deal with a structure. He can help determine appropriate uses for outdoor spaces, which he may regard as an extension of the rooms of a home.

Ideally the landscape architect should be called in as early as possible to work with the architect or builder of a new structure. His services at this early stage will enable him to do a better job, and perhaps make it unnecessary to correct mistakes, usually a costly procedure.

Like other professionals, the landscape architect believes that planning is the key to pleasing results. One important advantage of having a plan is that it may be carried out in stages to produce an effective and satisfying design when completed.

For more information, and names of local professional landscape architects, write to the American Society of Landscape Architects, 1750 Old Meadow Road, McLean, Va. 22101.

Arboretums, botanical gardens, and conservatories are other good sources of plant know-how. Woody plants, trees, shrubs, and vines are grown in an arboretum; many different types of plants are grown in a botanical garden. A conservatory is an enclosed structure where plants are grown under controlled conditions of humidity, temperature, and light.

Arboretums and botanical gardens are sometimes associated with a university or a park department; they may be government operated or privately endowed. Some arboretums and botanical gardens started as private gardens.

Horticulture and gardening can be studied at arboretums and botanical gardens by talking with staff members, attending planned educational programs, or observing the plant materials being grown. They are also places for rest and relaxation, and they provide havens for birds and other wildlife. The home gardener can attend scheduled classes organized by the staff or interested groups to study plant propagation, plant identification, landscaping, native plants, botany, plant breeding, and other subjects.

A guide to gardens and arboretums, American Gardens—A Traveler's Guide, prepared by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11225, is available for $1.50. This book lists some of the finest gardens and arboretums in the United States, Canada, Hawaii, and the Virgin Islands.

The 1971 Directory of American Horticulture, published by the American Horticultural Society, Inc., 901 North Washington Street, Alexandria, Va. 22314, lists almost 300 gardens and garden centers in more than 40 States. It is available for $5.

Gardeners will find libraries one of the best sources of helpful information. Local libraries usually have a section devoted to gardening, horticulture, flower arranging, botany, wild flowers and native plants, and other subjects associated with gardens. At a library, the gardener has the use of many resources—reference materials, gardening encyclopedias, special book collections, and slides or movies.

Inter-library loan services make it possible for small libraries to borrow from larger ones, opening the resources of many private and university libraries to borrowers in distant locations. This gives dedicated gardeners the opportunity to read a wide range of reference books, gardening magazines and periodicals, and to examine books before buying personal copies.

Libraries perform other services besides collecting books. Some have a referral service, through which inquiries are referred to horticultural or gardening experts or to the best reference library. Some libraries offer a copying service for reproduction of pertinent information.

Libraries also may have a clipping service. The reference division for gardening clips out pertinent news articles and places them in a "vertical file." These vertical files also contain bulletins and other materials not ordinarily cataloged but listed by subject matter as a supplement to other reference materials.

Some libraries collect unique and special gardening references. Nursery and seed trade catalogs, for example, may be found at the National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, Md. 21705. Some of the catalogs in its collection date back to the 19th century. Using these catalogs, it is possible to locate rare seeds, plant species, and varieties.

Facilities of a library often are used for educational activities such as flower shows, gardening exhibits, and displays of new and antique books.

Antaeus Books, Box 153, Granville, Mass. 01034, is a bookfinding service which can supply almost any book on gardening, farming, conservation, and ecology. Environmental Resources, Inc., 2000 P Street, NW., Washington, D.C. 20036, is the publisher of Yellow Pages—A Guide to Organized Environmental Efforts, which lists more than 3,000 regional and community environmental organizations.

Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/authors/585/Earl-L.-Butz