Houston Garden Book

I had so much trouble finding a gardening book for my specific area. When I came across this book I ordered it hoping for the best since it wasn't available in the local bookstores. I am so pleased with the detail on all aspects of gardening in the Houston area. I am a weekend gardener who needs a good reference book.The book starts out by teaching you the basics about soil preparation, climate, weather, watering, pruning and good pests in the garden.The section on vegatables is full of info on different varieties of each one that grow well in this area. Plus it gives info on diseases, pests and harvesting. The same goes for the section on growing herbs. It also goes into using and perserving herbs, plus has recipes from Hilltop Herb Farm included. I am Successfully growing 4 patio tomato plants that are producing. I have 8-15 tomatoes on each plant in different stages of growth. My oregano, thyme, basil and cilantro are growing beautifully. I have made numerous italian dishes with the fresh herbs, The family loved the taste, it was so much better than with dried spices.The book also has very indepth sections on trees, palms, shrubs, vines, native plants and flowers. It goes into how to landscape and design your garden. Which plants to use for your major lanscaping and what seasonal plants grow best in this area. It teaches you how to greenhouse garden, and about container gardening as well.The book has extensive info on diseases and pests that can invade your lawn or garden as well. I have already used this to diagnose a problem with my loquat tree. One of the most valuable sections is a large list of poisonous plants. I had no idea how many common garden plants were poisonous including the Foxglove I have blooming in my garden.I would highly recommend this book to everyone who gardens in the Houston area. No matter if you are a beginner gardener or an avid gardener, you will benefit from this book. It is so packed full of knowledge on everything and anything you need to garden in the Houston area. Any questions I have had, I have found in the book since I bought it earlier this spring. My garden has thanked me by growing better than it ever has before. There is nothing like having my coffee out on the patio in the morning right now. The smell of jasmine fills the air and the hummingbirds are here feeding on the nectar from my hibiscus. Don't you love gardens?

This book really stands the test of time. Has great illustrations and color photos. I have been using it for 20 years now. Every now and then someone borrows it and doesn't give it back, or I wear one out with water, dirt and overuse so I order a new copy. If I had to pick only one garden book for the Texas Gulf Coast region, this would be it. It doesn't cover everything you need to know, but has all the basics and 90% of the specialized info you need to successfully garden in Houston. It tends to lack some of the new age topics like natives and chemical-free gardening, but that's due to the book's age. My favorite feature is all the large photos of well-done gardens and landscapes. I have gotten so many ideas from these photos. Highly, highly recommend this book!

As a young man I admired the beautiful colors and blooms at Moody Gardens in Galveston Texas. Kriegel's skill working with the native pallet of plants was very evident in the varieties of species that thrived and dazzled visitors regardless of the season. In this book he goes into great detail about the wide varieties of plants that can be cultivated in the south Texas area in a way that keeps it easy to understand. The pictures are beautiful and worth the book in their own right. I would highly recomend this book to newcommers to the South Texas area who want to work with regionally successful plants as well to locally seasoned veterans who wish to expand the varieties of plants they use.

Although a very old original printing, it is a classic primer for gardeners in the Houston area. I give it as a gift to folks in the area who are new to gardening. It is a great, basic reference book.

The Houston Garden Book was a gift for a friend moving to Houston. It was received as promised and the person I gave it to was thrilled to have the book.

If you want a book to give you all you need to know about plants for our Houston yard and garden, this is it. Pictures are lovely. So nice to have something that is truly about this area and vegitation.

The book has beautiful pictures lists all the plants but it doesn't have the photograph next to the plant. I can not tell what the plant looks like.

Good info. I haven't gotten into yet. Using youtube and this book to help.