Packed with useful and comprehensive information, these first two titles in Storey's new "Potting Bench" reference series will be a boon to gardeners who enjoy starting plants from seed. First self-published in 1991 as Gardening at a Glance and then reissued in 1994 as The Organic Gardener's Home Reference, Denckla's updated work covers organically growing 765 varieties of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and herbs. She opens with general information on organic gardening and then provides exhaustive horticultural details in entries arranged by common name. These entries include scientific name, culture, siting, size, first and last seed-starting dates, insects/pests, storage, and suggested varieties. Fruit and nut entries offer bearing age and pruning recommendations. The next section offers remedies for organically controlling 201 pests and diseases. Each pest/disease entry includes a description, plants affected, geographic occurrence, signs, and organic remedies. However, the gardener must first determine which pest/disease is causing the trouble; unfortunately, there are no photographs to aid in identification. The thoroughly revised appendixes include a short section on the new National Organic Standards adopted in 2000. Powell, the proprietor of a landscaping firm that specializes in small gardens, addresses how to grow 542 annuals, perennials, grasses, bulbs, and climbers from seed and ferns from spores. After introductory material on how to start and care for seedlings, Powell comes to the heart of her book: A-to-Z entries arranged by genus. Each entry features genus description, plant type, hardiness zones, and sowing and germination requirements, as well as detailed information on transplanting, culture, propagation, and suggested combinations with other plants. The third section offers small color photographs of selected plants. The fourth section is a species chart briefly citing size, hardiness, and cultural information. Appendixes include seed sources, native plant societies, and a common names index. Concise, easy to use, and nicely laid out, these two titles are recommended for horticulture and public libraries. Buy extra copies for circulation.-Sue O'Brien, Downers Grove P.L., IL Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
