5 comments about Lavender: The Grower's Guide.

1. Virginia tells all about lavender! This is the only book you need to be successful growing lavender.



2. If you are a lavender lover who maintains all the plants in the garden with labels, then this book's for you. In a recent move, the labels of two plants were lost--I needed to re-identify them. This is a technical book right down to it's bracts and sepals. But it also is beautifully photographed so one can identify individual flowers, not just big pictures of a plant's growing habits. The only drawback was falling in love with a particular flower and realizing that it might only be available in her English homeland. But part of the fun of collecting is in the hunt! This book is truly the lavender "bible".



3. This lady knows her stuff. Every attribute you ever wanted to know about lavender is here. Though told from an Australian's exposure to lavender it is the bible for lavender grower's in identification of species and their traits. My only wish is it was more directed at America's varieties and conditions but it can be easily enough transferred over. The pictures are stunning and accurately done



4. In my opinion, Virginia McNaughton's book, Lavender the growers guide is a very good book. However, the title may mislead buyers into thinking it is a "how to" book, which it isn't really. It provides excellent detailed information on classification of lavender, but does not provided a great deal of information on actually growing it. Since there are numerous other sources on the ins and outs of growing of lavender, but few, if any others, that provide this level of detail on classification of lavender, it provides a unique contribution to the field, albeit a bit esoteric for the average gardner.



5. I find the title slightly misleading since it implies it will go into detail of what to expect and run into when growing lavender. The book mainly covers all the different varieties of Lavenders and their subcategories. All in all an informative work with beautiful photography.

5 comments about How to Grow the Finest Marijuana Indoors Under Lights.

1. Oh yeah the book. Well all I know is that is was good. I loved the stuff on hydroponics.... ponics...ponics... that's a funny word dude! I'ts like "i'm hooked on ponics" Anyhoo- its um...



2. I have read many titles on the topic of growing marijuana, and this one takes the cake. It contains methods and sources of everything essential to growing your own pot. Good ideas too. I grew one of my best crops ever while using this book.



3. The photos are great, and the language is kept simple. Beyond that this book has little to offer. It insists on a particular growing method without informing about other methods. The authors insistence upon using Metal Halides over High Pressure Sodium lighting is mind boggling. While most of the book is written in a simple and easily understood manner, the chapter on fertilizers contains more jargon than a PHD thesis. Use your money to buy a better book.



4. "How to" books should guide a novice through the process of doing something in a very detailed step-by-step process. This book doesn't. It is sometimes vague and leaves the reader asking many questions. I guess you could use this manual to gain some general info, but you may be disappointed in its lack of specific "how to" instruction. The photographs are very nice.



5. i have been growing for many years and i have been trying various methods,all are diffrent from each other,this book is a good book for growing,first time growers,will have a little trouble at first but they will get the hang of it. every one must keep on growing and fight for the write to leagilize marijuana.

   peace

2 comments about The Moosewood Restaurant Kitchen Garden: Creative Gardening For The Adventurous Cook.

1. This is an easy-to-use and easy to read book with helpful tips on not only selecting and growing, but cooking with your veggies, edible flowers and herbs. There is also a great list of mail-order sources with descriptions of supplies. I especially liked the design section for its simple and straightforward approach to considerations and approaches towards my garden layout.



2. It's called "a gardening book for cooks and a cookbook for gardeners." David Hirsch has updated and revised this different and terrific cookbook. The subtitle ("Creative Gardening for the Adventurous Cook"), encapsulates quite nicely why this is a cookbook far beyond the norm. Written specifically to help in growing vegetables so that we can cook with them, each flower, herb or vegetable is accompanied by tips for its best use in the kitchen.
   
   Published originally in 1992, the 2004 update includes more information, resources and recipes. The text is simple yet thorough, and is chock-full of tips, ideas, illustrations and charming anecdotes. In simple, straightforward text, Hirsch gives instructions for growing, harvesting, and cooking with over 75 vegetables and herbs.
   
   The cookbook is accessible for beginners, while being complex and satisfying enough for more experienced gardeners. Chapters are devoted to gardening techniques, crop rotation, seed starting, and natural ways to defend against insects. Another chapter covers various kinds of gardens, from hillside, to walled patio, to container gardening, while the 70+ recipes will showcase the fruits of your labor and help transform them to the the pleasures of the table.
   
   The recipes are delicious and comprehensive, from soups, dips and salads to appetizers and main dishes. Hirsch also includes information on cooking times and techniques, as well as the effective use of herbs (with advice for planting, compatibility and cooking). It is hard to pick favorites, but the Vegetable "Pasta", Summer Rolls, and Portuguese Kale Soup are among my favorites so far.
   
   The recipes are not all vegan (although of course they are vegetarian), but vegan options can be substituted (soy cheese for non-soy, etc). A must have cookbook for gardeners and cooks alike.--By Lisa Steele

5 comments about Magical Herbalism: The Secret Craft of the Wise (Llewellyn's Practical Magick Series).

1. This book was a really good one. I just have one major problem with it, he didn't bother to warn people about whether or not something was poisonous. It is a good reference for people that already have some experiences with herbs. Never use an herb unless you know for sure it isn't toxic or poisonous.



2. I think the people that posted that this is a limited book don't really get the purpose of the book. This is a BEGINNER'S book. If you are an experienced herbalist - do not get this book. This book is for those just starting out. You should read this book first and then read the encyclopedia that Cunningham wrote. The Paul Beryl Compendium of Magickal Herbs that one reviewer mentioned is an ok book, but it leaves a lot of information out - plus he gets too into the historical side of each herb and not enough on the practical side. Plus the charts in the back, which really are the most useful part of the book are seriously lacking in Paul Beryl's book (although he has some nice handy God/Goddess listings).
   
   So - if you are starting out - get this book and read it. Once you are comfortable with the material, move on to Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs (which is mostly a listing of herbs with very little information on what to do with herbal blends), and if you have extra cash, get the Paul Beryl book. I have about 20 different herbals, and I mainly use Cunningham's encyclopedia and the Paul Beryl book.
   
   But - getting back to this book - this is a starter book. If you already know the basics, then this is a waste of your money. If you have never opened an herbal in your life, this is a great place to start. And as one user mentioned - use common sense! Just because something is an herb, it doesn't mean its safe. Arsenic is deadly and all natural. When using non-maintstream herbs such as Hemlock, Yew, etc - do some research FIRST! If you are sticking to the basics, like Rosemary, Peppermint, etc, then this book should be fine. And don't ingest anything unless you know for sure its safe - use your brain!



3. I have a number of Scott Cunningham's books.
   This is just another fine example of his work.



4. Sorry to say that this will be the last book by Cunningham that I will every buy. Every book is beginning to be the same book with a different cover.
   
   
   Listed below are the reasons I have a problem with this book:
   
   Cunningham preaches all the way from beginning to end on moral ethics. It's as if he's the moral police. He tells the reader that he doesn't give certain oils/herbs because they may violate the Rede. It's ridiculous and getting OLD! I know there is a movement for Witches to show themselves as GOOD,but get a grip! It seems to be a trend for authors to learn all they can then turn around arrogantly and tell the reader what you shouldn't know. I think everyone should be their own moral police. How can you truly learn magick one sided.
   
   
   If you want the same tired formulas, moral whipping, and arrogance go ahead get the book!



5. A nice reference staple for any personal herbal library regarding crafting work. One of my favorite four I keep on the subject.

5 comments about A Kid's Herb Book.

1. I found this from an EarthWalk class that I sometimes volunteer for. A 4th grader showed this book to her teacher who in turn showed it to us. I wrote down the name and bought it a few days later. Why? Because it is really informative and done really really well. I'm new to the whole outdoor, edible herb thing so I feel like I could use a kid's book to help teach me (it even has sections for me to color!) :-)



2. Reviewed by Juanita Watson for Reader Views (4/07)
   
   Lesley Tierra's book is just as the subtitle suggests, "for children of all ages." This fantastic herbal showcases 16 commonly used medicinal plants that could realistically form the core of a home herbal pharmacy. It is truly a great introduction to the world of herbs.
   
   I adore Tierra's original stories for each herb which will stretch children's imaginations while connecting them deeper to the spirit of each plant. Lesley pays special attention to warnings where indicated, explains specific doses for children, and includes a convenient quick guide to treating illnesses (matching symptoms with herbal remedy).
   
   Beautiful drawings adorn nearly every page of this book bringing each and every page to life. As an adult I appreciate the visual aspect, so I can only imagine that children will fall for them too - maybe even color in some of the bigger pictures adding an artistic element to the book itself.
   
   Tierra's includes sing-along songs for each herb (with accompanying sheet music), as well as a vast array of crafts, projects, activities and herbal recipes. This author hasn't left anything out, and it doesn't surprise me knowing her background and the 15 years spent researching this book. Tierra is a nationally renowned practicing herbalist with family and friends in the herb world, many of whom somehow contributed to this book.
   
   The thing that really stood out for me about "A Kid's Herb Book" is the way the author attempts to connect the reader (parents, children, and ultimately, that inner child within all of us) with the amazing life force found in herbs. This book is a timely bridge that serves to unite the heart of each reader with the natural world in fun, useful, creative and joy-filled ways. I feel that this is what makes "A Kid's Herb Book" unique in comparison to many other herb books on the shelves today.



3. I purchased this book for my 7yo son because we do use a lot of herbs at home. He likes the book very much but my 4yo dd LOVES it! She loves making the recipes, learning about the plants and how they work, and hearing the stories. It has become her favorite book. I love the recipes as well since they are wonderful to give to children. I can't recommend this book enough.



4. Seriously this book is great! It was wonderful ideas for the garden, crafts, the seasons, herbal stuff. It is just fun, cool, great!
   
   Heather mama of 5



5. This is a good book and my son and I both enjoyed the fairy tale-like stories in each chapter about how the herbs came to be known for their healing qualities. There are a lot of recipes and activities for each herb but it's not what I personally was looking for. I was hoping there would be more different kinds of herbs listed and what they are used for.

5 comments about The Herb Society of America's Essential Guide to Growing and Cooking With Herbs.

1. This is truly a guide, not a master reference work. The Herb Society is a fine organization whose roots, as it were, lie in my college town, Washington, D.C. Home to the National Arboretum as well, Washington does so much good for the country once you get out of the Capitol Mall area. Think of it as the Smithsonian for herbs.
   
   Originally a women's organization, without whom it would never have survived or flowered, it now commands part of our national heritage and a working site for continued research and activity. This book is theirs and has all you need to know about them and why and how to visit.
   
   As for the rest of the book, it succeeds where recent books have not, for the gardener and the cook both. Nicely organized, it discusses the herbs in an intelligent manner in one section. In the other, you are presented with recipes tagged to their local units and authors.
   
   Please note this book is limited in scope to only those herbs growing in the National Herb Garden. There are plenty here, but this book does not pretend to be exhaustive. I must note that others with grander insinuations fall short of what you get here. The information is good and useful on both the gardening and cooking fronts. Also not this is not a cookbook, so recipes are simple rather than explanatory. They come from many contributors and therefore cannot have a single or detailed voice. Nor is it a book of detailed horticulture; they tell you the basics to grow these herbs.



2. Here is a long overdue book combining BOTH growing information and delicious tested herb recipes. Detailed enough for both the novice herb gardener and the experienced one. The layout is easy to read and provides access for identifying recipes utilizing a specific herb.
   In this way, gardeners can readily use the "excess" dill, fennel, basil, etc. from their kitchen herb gardens in a number of creative recipes.



3. Outstanding and delightful! This book offers readers tried and true recipes with herbs but also provides informative herb gardening information. A wonderful gift and must-have for anyone interested in learning more about the cultivation and culinary uses of herbs!



4. I expectated plenty of good evidence-based information on growing herbs from the Herb Society of America. What I got was 100 pages of general info on every herb out there and then 150 pages of unproven recipes. I have better herb information from most other sources. I would never have bought this book off the shelf. I felt like I was reading a church fundraising cookbook What a disappointment. I expected better from the Herb Society of America.



5. The book is a great source of information about incorporating fresh herbs into your every day cooking. After looking for some time, I finally found a comprehensive cookbook for cooking with herbs.

5 comments about The Medicine Wheel Garden: Creating Sacred Space for Healing, Celebration, and Tranquillity.

1. Creating Sacred Space means more to us today than every before. I feel that this suthor has really offered us bold new perspectives along with numerous alternatives for coming to balance in these trying times. This book is a valuable, in-depth gardening guide with far more sensitivities than are usual!
   1. I find the resource guide in the back most valuable.
   2. The herbal lexicon that is the central third of the book is amazingly detailed; here is the info I need to propagate native herbs & wildflowers.
   3. Research on the medicine wheels as ancient landscape features is the best I've yet encountered, & offered with great respect & reverence for sacred space.
   4. Part III in this book is filled with imaginative new ideas, recipes, & suggestions for gifts & projects to make from one's gardening success.
   What a fine book!
   The most unique book on this subject, likely to make other gardening books out dated...



2. Very thorough and informative. Lists many plants, uses of the plants, terrain differences - in consideration with reference to locating and designing your garden - I thoroughly enjoyed this book - and - like most other selfhelp books - do not have to buy more titles to get the full picture.



3. Very well written, easy to understand and follow. Wish I had a larger area to create :-)



4. I built a Medicine Wheel in a garden area I wanted to re-do recently and then saw this book. I have experience in different herbs and plants and thought I could make a good one. In fact, I did. However, I bought this book thinking I could get more ideas. I was right. This is a book I refer to often. Daily, when I first received it. Very informative. I could not put it down and the book traveled with me everywhere for at the first 2 weeks. I remains a prominent part of my reference material.



5. I think the paper in this book is beautiful and love the gardens it lays out. This is one of my most enlightening garden books, combining native american herbalism and spirituality with one of my favorite pasttimes. I really appreciate the author's writing style and obvious knowledge of her subject, and find it a very pleasurable book to read again and again.

5 comments about Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs.

1. This book has almost every herb you can think of with sugesstions on how to grow them and use them. It's awesome.



2. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs is the best of the bunch. It gives a bounty of information on each of the many herbs listed: origin, uses, cultivation, lore, and much more. The illustrations, both drawings and color photos, are superb. The book does contain errors; it says, for example, that sassafras extracts are carcinogenic. But on the whole this book excels.



3. I love this book. Not only does it tell you all about the herb it tells you what food it go's well with. I bought this book for my daughter when she started to grow her own herbs.



4. A truly informative herbal book. The uses for herbs are endless. I enjoy the quick reference this book provides.



5. I have been in the herb plant business for 28 years, and find this to be the best general reference for herbs, especially for customers. I took it to farmers markets, where I was a vendor, and customers could look up recipes, cultural intructions, soil and growing tips, plus the wonderful color pictures. This book has always held a prominant spot in my herb books library. Sidebars--such as "chefs' tips","soil requirements",etc. One of the best publications from Rodale Press. (Multiple contributors.)

5 comments about Marijuana Botany: Propagation and Breeding of Distintive Cannabis.

1. Marijuana Botany: An Advanced Study In the Propagation & Breeding of Distinctive Cannabis

   ADVANCED. This is NOT the book to read if you have never grown or have no knowledge of basic concepts of growing marijuana. This is not a BASIC 'How-To' book. It says ADVANCED and it means just that! This is a study in ADVANCED MJ techniques and information of selective genetic manipulation and breeding. If you want an 'I just need to know how to grow herb.' book, DON'T BUY THIS ONE.




2. First of all, if we stick to the facts, Robert Clarke wrote this text as his master's thesis to earn his graduate degree in botany from UC Berkeley, not so that a bunch of dopers could grow stronger weed. With that in mind, think about the subject material; this book was written for scientists and botanists with MSc and PhD level accreditations in botany, not Phineas, Freewheeling Franklin, or Fat Freddie and his cat...

   I think that most reviews of this book are negative because they do not understand the nature of this work. In all actuality, it is a very important piece of work that quite thoroughly details genetic breeding of a particular species of plant, and that just so happens to be marijuana...

   If you want a very good "how to grow kick-butt weed" book, pick up a copy of, "Indoor Marijuana Horticulture" by Jorge Cervantes; its better suited to the layperson who wants to try growing at home. Another book I found helpful for consulting was "Marijuana Grower's Insiders Guide" by Mel Frank...




3. The best place to start with this review is to tell you that you do not want this book if you are new to growing. This is not where you want to be going. Getting this book is a mistake which many new growers have made. So you have been warned!! There are other books that cover cannabis cultivation much more accurately like "The Cannabis Grow Bible" by Greg Green which I very highly recommend or "Indoor Marijuana Horticulture" by Jorge Cervantes a reasonably good grow guide. I find Ed Rosenthal's books a little wrong at times and Mel Franks work is far too old to be practical these days. So if you are looking for cultivation information go in that direction first but if you want some cannabis botany science and breeding information then carry on with this review.

   The book is divided into four sections. The Sinsemilla Life Cycle of Cannabis, the Propagation of Cannabis, Genetics and Breeding of Cannabis, and finally Maturation and Harvesting of Cannabis.

   The first section is very short and deals with the basic cycle of the cannabis plant from seed to the end of its life to the give the reader the basics of how the plant grows - however the botanical features of all the different strains in existence do vary from Clarke's basic descriptions, but at least his references are explained in extreme detail along with plant morphology. It is an important introduction chapter for what the rest of the book has to offer.

   The second section is about the different ways that cannabis can be continued either by seeds or cloning and so this chapters covers both cloning and pollination but it is mostly concerned with pollen and manual pollination techniques. The seed selection part of this chapter is redundant and not really advised as a selection criteria for selecting seeds. There is only one way to know what a new hybrid seed can produce and that is to grow it out. The cloning section covers rooting and hormones, both important parts of the cloning technique for those who want to replicate their mother plant over and over again. The final part of this chapter deals with grafting, which is more of an experiment you can do but it is not used by cannabis cultivators. The chapter finishes with pruning, to help improve your yields.

   The third section is really what this book is all about - the genetics of cannabis, and it can be confusing at the best of times because it dives right into it without much of a helper at the start, so be warned you will need something else to help you make head or tale of this section but I will come to that in a moment. After introducing us to the world of filial generations (F1, F2 ...) , heterozygous and homozygous, Clarke quickly turns to Polyploidy. Now this is a manmade condition which is inflicted on the cannabis plant to alter its chromosome number. The author believes this may increase potency but recent evaluation of Polyploidy cannabis and genetics have proven otherwise, but you will find this interesting all the same. The author then comes to meat of the book - breeding. Now this is 50/50 presentation. There is a whack load of breeding information that is extremely helpful and a ton of stuff that is very specialized towards strains that most of us will never see or work with because no one sells them anymore. You will also find references to the botanical aspects of the plant and how these traits can be mixed and fixed by breeding. Interesting and useful and this is probably the most important part of the book and the most often referred to by breeders.

   The forth part of the book is about harvest times and how to judge them. The author also covers Cannabinoid Biosynthesis, but a lot of this has since changed since he wrote about it. Useful though, and you will reference it if you are interested in cannabinoids - but there are better books on cannabinoids out there. The book finishes by covering curing techniques and storage.

   Now listen closely because this is exactly what I recommend you to do if you are interested in breeding cannabis. Do not get this book first. First of all you should take a look at "The Cannabible" by Jason King. It also contains an introduction by Clarke and will give you a look at the different cannabis strain, but forget the breeding section in that book because it has inaccuracies and is not the best. Your next move is a good grow book. Now you would do well to buy several but if you can only afford one get "The Cannabis Grow Bible" by Greg Green. Forget the garbage PDF that you might find on the internet of that book. It is old (2001) and is missing a lot. Get the 2003 paperback edition which is vastly superior and very different. "The Cannabis Grow Bible" has an excellent Chapter on Breeding and is an absolute `must have' for anybody interested in breeding. That chapter alone is sometimes more useful than this whole book from Clarke. Once you have that book and chapter you will be in a much better position to use this book from Clarke. I can guarantee you that now. Forget about the breeding chapter in "Marijuana Indoor Horticulture" by Jorge Cervantes. Its bunk. The author of that book claims that clones loose their genetic integrity with every generation. That is nonsense and voids that whole chapter of his book. If you are looking for a good book on cannabinoids then get "Marijuana Chemistry: Genetics, Processing & Potency" by Michael Starks. Okay this is the best I can do for you. Do get this book though. Just follow the path above and you will achieve your breeding goals. Good Luck.




4. If you have read some other reviews posted for this book then it would seem as if this researcher was talking out his ass but if you bother to actually read the book at all then you will realize that the information provided may or may not be intended for either your level of education as far as cannabis goes or for the specific agenda behind your reasons for growing cannabis.
   No it is not a book for the first hand grower, and No this book will not tell you specifically what you need to know for how to grow some "killer bud" but if you want basically a manual for how to develop a purposeful breeding growing regimine and the best way to establish a sterile environment and efficient pollen collection and cultivation techniques then this is the book upon which it wouldn't hurt to start your reading collection.
   This book was written in the eighties as has yet to be updated but it is useful and informative. The research however outdated is still competant and unbiased and anytime that you have definative data you should try to learn from it. The stated research spans nearly half a century of labratory and field study from doctors, scientists, horticulurists, and regular old smokey joe from down the street, as a person who has spent a number of years in the research and breeding fields I appreciated the fact that someone else had done the grunt work.
   As a person who done some research, here is one thing which I can tell you that is probably the single most important thing anyone can tell you, do your homework!, if growing cannabis is something that you want to do with success then wouldn't you want to find the best way to do it with as little effort and waste as possible the best way that you can do this is READ, books, magazines, college research papers, jotted notes, articles on the internet and do your own kind of gruntwork, talk to competant people who have grown and produced, but most of all don't make any hardcore decisions about who's word you are going to follow and don't take it all to heart.
   There is all kind of hype out there and books that have been written by noted celebrity types and documented so called "authorities" on the subject for your sake don't decide to go with anyone specific person's material the more broad based your knowledge the better chance you have of starting the perfect crop.
   Probably the single most important piece of information I gleamed from this book is how the plant reacts to environment, chemical, and altitudinal changes, this kind of detailed information is exactly what should be contained in a botany book, and in my humble opinion R.C. Clarke has done a tremendous job of putting this information together.



5. This is a good book about the marijuana plant itself but is a bit dated. Still if you want to learn more about breeding and plant physiognomy then this is a good choice.

2 comments about The Complete Herb Book.

1. This book has it all -- great pictures, great ideas, even great recipes. A good resource for those who want to build their own herb garden.



2. What an extensive encyclopedia of information from A-Z! Complete information in easy to use format with information from propagation, pests and diseases, maintenance, garden cultivation, harvesting, companion planting, container growing, medicinal uses, other uses, and culinary applications & more! I made the Chive Butter and it's hmmmm, hmmmm, good on sweet corn on the cob! Next I plan to try the Sweet Marigold Muffins. It also has info on planning a herb garden with 10 sample plans, beautiful photographys throughout, how to preserve herbs by drying and freezing, and making and using natural dyes! It's a 5 star addition to my extensive herb library.