Midwest Gardener's Handbook

Midwest Gardener's Handbook
by Jan Riggenbach
1999

Jan Riggenbach's book, "Midwest Gardener's Handbook" is exactly that, a handbook. One that every gardener should have we might add. Written in a cooperative effort with the Earl May garden centers located in the Midwest the book begins with a bibliography of Earl May and how he started his company in 1919. A true success story considering that Earl May garden centers are 50 strong throughout the region.

The early pages of this book are crucial for all Midwest gardeners. Ms. Riggenbach discusses the Midwest climate and how it is a true challenge to garden in this region. She also includes a hardiness zone map, an average dates-last spring frost, and an average dates-first autumn frost map. She also covers soil secrets and divulges some basic fertilizing information - all of which a gardener in the Midwest must be familiar with.

The following chapters are wonderful. What Ms. Riggenbach does is simply appealing to me as a reader. I just love to look at great photographs of plants. It helps me to visualize how they will look in my garden. Each picture is also accompanied by a detailed description of each plant, how you should grow it and the different varieties it comes in. From annuals to perennials to bulbs and vegetables it is all there and makes for great reading.

This book is sure to be one that is dog-eared and worn.

Midwest Gardener's Handbook retails for $29.99 and is available at all Earl May Nursery and Garden Centers.