The Informed Gardener

Linda Chalker-Scott

• Publisher: University of Washington Press
• Year: 2013
• eBook ISBN: 9780295800325
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Horticulture
• Index: Biological Sciences

Winner of the Best Book Award in the 2009 Garden Writers Association Media Awards Named an "Outstanding Title" in University Press Books for Public and Secondary School Libraries, 2009 In this introduction to sustainable landscaping practices, Linda Chalker-Scott addresses the most common myths and misconceptions that plague home gardeners and horticultural professionals. Chalker-Scott offers invaluable advice to gardeners gardeners who have wondered: Are native plants the best choice for sustainable landscaping? Should you avoid disturbing the root ball when planting? Are organic products better or safer than synthetic ones? What is the best way to control weeds-fabric or mulch? Does giving vitamins to plants stimulate growth? Are compost teas effective in controlling diseases? When is the best time to water in hot weather? If you pay more, do you get a higher-quality plant? How can you differentiate good advice from bad advice? The answers may surprise you. In her more than twenty years as a university researcher and educator in the field of plant physiology, Linda Chalker-Scott has discovered a number of so-called truths that originated in traditional agriculture and that have been applied to urban horticulture, in many cases damaging both plant and environmental health. The Informed Gardener is based on basic and applied research from university faculty and landscape professionals, originally published in peer-reviewed journals. After reading this book, you will: Understand your landscape or garden plants as components of a living system Save time (by not overdoing soil preparation, weeding, pruning, staking, or replacing plants that have died before their time) Save money (by avoiding worthless or harmful garden products, and producing healthier, longer-lived plants) Reduce use of fertilizers and pesticides Assess marketing claims objectively This book will be of interest to landscape architects, nursery and landscape professionals, urban foresters, arborists, certified professional horticulturists, and home gardeners. For more information go to: http://www.theinformedgardener.com

INDEX

Abiotic factors, 184. See also environmental factors

abscission (of leaves), 51, 200

acidic soils. See under soils

acrylamide, 125–26, 132–35. See also hydrogels: Polyacrylamide

adaptation, 23, 51, 65, 68, 122, 135. See also resistance, environmental

aesthetics: of landscapes, 45–46, 68, 201; of mulch materials, 145, 147, 158, 160, 162–63, 165

aftercare, 61, 179. See also landscape management

agricultural methods, 108, 111, 146, 156, 162. See also crop production

air pollution. See under pollution

alien plants. See invasive plants

alkaline soils. See under soils

alkaloids, 20–22

amendments. See soil amendments ammonium sulfate. See under fertilizers

annual flower beds. See flower beds

arborist chips. See under organic mulches

arborists, certified, 43, 45–46. See also International Society of Arboriculture

auxins. See under plant growth regulators

Backfill, 61, 88, 99–101. See also soil amendments

bacteria, 65, 195–96. See also microbes

bacterial activity, 113, 133. See also decomposition; degradation

balled and burlapped trees, 35, 75, 77, 85–89, 94

bare-rooting woody plants, 12, 31, 60–61, 76, 87–88

barriers: and air and water movement, 157, 161; disease, 139, 188; natural plant, 139, 188; and soil texture, 60. See also balled and burlapped trees; soil texture: differences

bathtub effect, 100. See also drainage

biodegradable materials. See decomposition

biodiversity, 68

bonemeal. See under fertilizers

botanical pesticides, 19–24

branch angles, 80

branch removal, 41, 43–45, 79, 200

bud break, 40, 45, 183

burlap, too high on trunk, 80, 87. See also balled and burlapped trees

Calcium, 120–22, 133. See also fertilizers: bonemeal; nutrients

caliper, 93. See also girth; taper

callus, 200–201

carcinogen, 17, 126, 132

cell membranes, 111, 182

cell wal...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication Page
• Contents
• Preface
• Critical Thinking
• Understanding How Plants Work
• How/What/When/Where to Plant
• Soil Additives
• Mulches
• Miracles in a Bag/Bottle/Box
• Index