5 comments about Growing Your Herb Business.

1. Reading previous reviews was a major factor in deciding to buy this book, hoping it explains how to grow herbs and then how to make a good business out of it. Unfortunetaly, I soon found out that the book was not anywhere near the 5 star rating given by others.



2. I am thinking about starting a business with herbs. This book has been easy to read and understand. It was full of information that will let me contact other people for further information. The book was also full of titles of other books that were equaly a good.
   I would recommend this book to anyone starting a business.



3. The author clearly demonstrates her early years of establishing her herb business and shares with us what has worked for her and what has not. It is a lessons learned oriented view point. She offers guidelines, stories of others who have started their herb businesses, samples of worksheets, tax considerations and many other practical elements that are worth noting when looking to start a herb business. This book is definitely a keeper and to have as a reference material.



4. "Growing Your Herb Business" is a quick, chatty read consisting of herb talk (25%) and business talk (75%). I loved the anecdotal information about different herbal start-up businesses, even though much of it sounded like ad copy, and when the author got to talking about herbs, it was like chatting with an old neighbor over the fence:
   
   "My Aunt Bertha went to her grave with jet black hair thanks to the sage dye bath she boiled in an old iron skillet. I tried her trick and, by Jove, it also cleans the skillet."
   
   Thanks to this book, I now know why my rosemary topiaries keep dying, how to plant mint so it doesn't take over the whole garden plot, and how to start tarragon (NOT from seed).
   
   Do not expect too much detail about herbs--only the top thirteen (a baker's dozen) are discussed in any detail. There's also none of that fuzzy New Age business about cutting veronica in the dark of the moon and putting in your true love's mead. This author is primarily a businesswoman:
   
   "'Oh Rosetta,' I protested, 'you'll never make money this way.' 'But I'm so happy,' was the soft reply."
   
   Rosetta didn't have a business plan, didn't pay attention to marketing her product, labeling her herbs, and restocking them. Basically, she had a hobby that she enjoyed, not a business.
   
   This book has got literally hundreds of tips on how to make your herbal business a success. If you just grow herbs for your own enjoyment, Bertha and her friends still have a lot of great information for you in this book. You might even want to try boiling a few sage leaves in your skillet after you read it.



5. Bertha Ruppert gives down to earth, tried and true advice about starting your own herb business. It's an easy read of every aspect of growing a business. Even though I have owned my own small business, I gained new and innovative ideas that could apply to almost any small retail store.
   Thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be rereading it many times in the future.

5 comments about Creating and Planting Garden Troughs.

1. CREATING AND PLANTING GARDEN TROUGHS by Joyce Fingerut and Rex Murfitt is a pragmatic and down-to-earth (or hypertufa) work book with 164 jam-packed detailed pages printed on non-gloss heavy paper. The book contains about 10 pages of color photos, so if you're looking for a "look-book" as opposed to a "work-book" don't stop here. TROUGHS won an American Horticultural Society Book Award, and like AHS publications and U.S.D.A. government publications this publication is filled with good, solid information. (Reminds me of the Girl Scout Handbook.)

   Fingerut and Martin begin with an overview of the history and background of troughs (originally carved from solid stone and used to hold water for livestock). Even though most of the photos are in black and white, you obtain a clear idea of the beauty various shapes and sizes can add to your garden. The older troughs covered with moss are to die for.

   A section on "Hypertufa" explains what it is and why it is useful for making incredibly lightweight and strong facsimiles of real stone troughs. Next, the reader is supplied a shopping list of ingredients, utensils and other supplies (rubber gloves, polystyrene foam, duct tape, etc.) needed for the trough-making project. Exact quantities and amounts are not provided, but ratios are given instead. This lack of exactness might prove frustrating to the new trough maker.

   A good part of the book is devoted to the design and installation of plants in troughs. There are many excellent photos and an informative text describing plant choices, plant care, recommendations, etc.). If you aren't inclined to take on the obviously dirty and labor-intensive work of making your own troughs, you can check to see if your local garden supply store or nursery sells ready-made troughs and then use this book as a guide to filling them with plants.




2. Stone agricultural troughs, either as a theme or an accent, can add a special look to a garden. Of course you don't have to use a real stone these days as cement can be used to create the troughs. But, whether stone or cement it still ends up extremely heavy. One way to get around this is to mix peat moss with the cement. This produces a much lighter weight, porous trough that looks like stone. That is the focus of this particular gardening book - how to make these "hypertufa" troughs, what plants do well in them, and some basic plan layouts for using them in a garden design. Pictures of the troughs created by these techniques show troughs and stones that appear very old with lichens and mosses growing on the sides. They remind me very much of pictures of ancient Mayan or Indonesian stone ruins. For anyone who wants to add this type of accent or wants to create a garden that has the appearance of ancient stone structures this is a book you will want to have.



3. I was disappointed in this book for many reasons. I was looking for a resource on how to create different shapes, depths and sizes of hypertufa troughs. This book focused on fairly shallow, square troughs. Because most of the trough photographs were in black and white, it was difficult for a beginner to visualize how a finished product should look. Too much of the book was focused on the type of plants you can grow in troughs. I feel a trough is just a container with unique characteristics and was hoping for information on the kinds of problems trough gardners face and how to deal with those problems. I gave the book a 3 rating because chapter 2 - 'Constructing A Hypertufa Trough' was well done. Even with the lack of color photographs in this chapter, you will know how to create a small, square trough. If you are looking for creative trough ideas this is not the book.



4. This is a terrific book; well written, practical, effectively illustrated. It answered every question I had about the subject and more.



5. If you are 'into' making hypertufa troughs or even thinking of making your own pots or possibly just interested in reading about this subject this is the book to read first! there is a lot of information here!

2 comments about Planting the Future: Saving Our Medicinal Herbs.

1. This is a MUST HAVE book not only for Herbalists but for all People of this Turtle Isand. As ypou read this book it will not oly scare you but it will also wake you up. It is not up to a few people to save the plants, IT IS UP TO ALL OF US!



2. Planting The Future provides a different focus on the botanical market, featuring works by the herbalists of United plant Savers and discussing strategies to save and preserve medicinal herbs. Chapters provide an A-Z listing of herbs and their history, uses and propagation.

3 comments about The Virginia Gardener's Companion: An Insider's Guide to Low-Maintenance Gardening in Virginia (Gardening Series).

1. If you want one book to help you make your garden and landscape more beautiful, make it this one. It's clear, concise and to the point ... and filled with practical yet expert advice. The tone is conversational, like sitting down with someone you trust.
   
   For many years, my rite of spring has been to pour through gardening books, making lists, taking notes, and ordering plants from near and far.
   
   The results in my garden hardly seemed worth the effort. Flowers bloomed out of their noted sequence; plants raved over in ink failed when in the ground; and my dreams of a lush, continuous display of interesting flora typically withered by mid-summer.
   
   This book has changed that. It is specific, practical, knowledgeable and totally competent. Ms. Williamson gives accurate guidance on everything from selecting plants to dealing with pests.
   
   She has also sought out expert advice from regional authorities - people who have years of experience and who work at Virginia Tech, the Virginia Arboretum, Chanticleer and local nurseries. Their comments add further credibility to a book that already has a strong foundation in fact and observation.
   
   While even the most advanced gardener will gain from reading this book ... it is a treasure trove for those who have enthusiasm but who need to know more about how to do it well.



2. I wish I'd had this book when I started gardening in Virginia 25+ years ago, it would have saved me wasted labor, misspent money and failed plantings. The Virginia Gardener's Companion is like a garden coach in your back pocket, walking the beginning gardener through all the basics in a companionable and understandable way. It's chock full of great tips gleaned from the author's years of experience, as well as those of her extensive network of horticultural experts, including current research that debunks some long-held, but counterproductive, gardening practices (turns out it's best not to prune a tree at planting time), so it's also a worthwhile reference for the intermediate or experienced gardener. Now that I've lived in Maryland for two years I realize this is a book for the entire mid-Atlantic region, not just Virginia.



3. I have often wished that I could afford the luxury of a garden consultant to answer the myriad questions that arise when I tend my Virginia garden. No more wishing. Garden design professional, Donna Williamson, has been prescient enough to anticipate all those questions--and more--and put them in a beautifully written book, The Virginia Gardener's Companion. My copy is already dog-eared from constant use. It is an easy-to-read, witty, and practical resource for both the novice and master gardener. While the book is specifically addressed to Virginia, it offers plenty of invaluable advice to anyone living in the mid-Atlantic region who dares to dream about creating a spectacular garden.

4 comments about Florida Butterfly Gardening: A Complete Guide to Attracting, Identifying, and Enjoying Butterflies.

1. This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in buuterfly gardening. Lots of helpful practical information. This book was recommended to me by Zane Greathouse who owns Greathouse Butterfly Farm.



2. I have had this book for a year and I am always pulling it back out to help purchase butterfly plants and to ID catipillers and butterflys. Lots of excellent pictures of every stage of each Florida butterfly. Excellent lists of plants, both host and nectar. Great pictures of the plants. The only thing I have found missing is any info on when to expect the butterfly's in your garden.



3. I am just starting butterfly gardening and I found so much helpful information. On the other hand, my sister has been butterfly gardening for years, and still found the book helpful. It makes identification of butterflies and caterpillars easy and has many lavish illustrations of both the butterflies and the plants that attract them.



4. This is the best book I have purchased for butterfys. It has great pictures of the butterflys as well as the caterpillars.
   It gives you all the information needed to get your own butterfly garden set up.

No comments about Outdoor Kitchens: Ideas for Planning, Designing, and Entertaining.

4 comments about The Biology of Horticulture: An Introductory Textbook.

1. I have recently completed a BSc (HONS) in horticulture and found this book very useful. I used many text during my degree, however this was the one I refered to most. I think that students particularily in the initial stages of a degree or diploma course would find the book most valuable. Many areas of interest are covered e.g. biological control of plant pathogens, irrigation and many other areas that may not be apparent from the books title. There are many good pictures and diagrams and each chapter has useful references. This book will also be of interest to horticultural professionals.



2. This book is by no means basic as the subtitle "an introductory textbook" states. In fact, this is one of the most detailed, and comprehensive books available on the subject. Covering everything from total plant anatomy all the way to pathology, nutrition, propagation, and beyond, it is an invaluable resource for any hort or botany student. Hobbyists will also find this book invaluably enlightening, as it can help them answer common questions such as why leaves on tomato plants are turning yellow.



3. I was fortunate enough to have Dr. Preece as an instructor for the General Horticulture class when I started college. Little did I know that I would be referring to this book when I was preparing for qualification exams for PhD in Botany. This textbook is an invaluable tool for students who want to further their education



4. I would recommend this to anyone looking to get into Horticulture, Landscape Design or their own backyard with a greater depth of knowledge in the science of plants and their care.

2 comments about Betrock's Landscape Palms.

1. This is a very informative book for any palm enthusiast. All the important information (scientific and common names, height, growth rate, origin, & USDA hardiness zone) is above the wonderful color photographs of each palm, followed by a more detailed description below. This reference is a must have for any horticulture professional.



2. 
   Betrock's Landscape Palms is just what I needed. I live in Miami and my yard already has an assortment of palms. I love palms and wanted to add more and different palms to my landscape. Without overwhelming me with every palm on earth, this book gave me a good selection of palms with needed information to make the right choice. Easy to ready and plenty of pictures I highly recommend it if you are interested in palms for any reason.

No comments about Pocket Gardens: Contemporary Japanese Miniature Designs.

5 comments about Home Theater Design: Planning and Decorating Media-Savvy Interiors.

1. This book is really helpful if you're planning a home theater system or integrating some type of audio and video stuff inside the house. I had a small house and was able to get lots of tips for designing my a/v system in it. Now that I bought my new house (much larger) I am able to reference the later chapters for dealing with the new challenges. Highly recommend!



2. This book has tons of helpful tips about features that you should have in an entertainment room. It helps you learn what accessories to get, but doesn't help much in the way of actually building the room. I was hoping to have some help on how to install a suspended ceiling with the sound-proofing material, or how they recommend to frame an elevated seating platform.
   
   All in all, I'd say this book is an advantage to have, and it definately is worth purchasing, but don't expect it to help you with the nuts and bolts of the operation.



3. I bought this book to help me plan the space for a home theater I am planning to build myself. Big mistake. It contained nothing useful for me.
   
   This is a book written by someone who only knows home theater from the perspective of rich or trendy clients who pay big bucks to have someone else do all the planning. It's also something of a advertising piece to show off very big and expensive (nothing under six figures) home theaters designed by two firms the author repeatedly gives credits to. At the very end she even has a brief interview with the head of one of those firms.
   
   If you're really rolling in the dough and want to see lots of glossy pictures to see how to spend your money, this book is for you. Example: "John and Jane have a wonderful theater space with arched alcoves along the walls. They display their collection of antique vases in each alcove, and use accent lighting to enhance it. They install a crystal chandelier for ambient lighting..."
   
   For everyone else it's a waste of time. It's so limited in text that it didn't take more than a couple hours to read through. Instead of giving you some real planning guides, the author limits herself to glosses of the obvious along with references to the type of professional you'll need to hire (so many - I've never heard of an acoustician before. He came somewhere after the cabinetmaker you'll need to design the housing for the projector).
   
   This is a book that bows to wealth and trendiness. For those of us who want to tap our own creative ability as well as our more typical budget, we'll have to look elsewhere for inspiration and information.



4. The first question you have to ask is 'What is a home theater.'
   
   And the author doesn't have any better definition than you do, so she has written the book in three sections, and with a definite point of view.
   
   One section is on small systems in small rooms. Here you are basically using more or less standard equipment in more or less standard rooms.
   
   The next section is on multi-purpose rooms, such as a den or living room with a major emphasis on media but still useful for other things.
   
   Finally there's the dedicated home theater. Here a room is built to make your own small, but technologically, audiologically, aesthetically and in every other way professional quality. This often includes stadium seating, with high quality chairs and tables for drinks and popcorn between the seats.
   
   All in all the book is more concerned with the interior decoration of the home theater than with the technical aspects. I suppose that's fair, because the rapid change in the technology. Anything you attempted to print in a book would become obsolete at the next Consumer Electronics Show.



5. This book gives an excellent overview of the different levels a home theater can be done at as well as many illustrations to refer to. It is very helpful in gaining knowledge of how theaters work and should be designed and integrated into their environment. That is where the hundreds of illustrations help out most.
   The only thing to remeber when reading this book is that technology changes so rapidly that some of the information relating to video displays and a few other items are outdated but not harmful in any way to your project or design. I recommend it.