On Fri, 13 Feb 2004 13:20:12 -0500, Floreksa wrote:

I need some good book recommendations for both vegetable gardening and
general landscape style gardening. I live in Western MA and would love to
start gardening, but am kind of can't figure out where to even start. My
biggest area of concern right now, is the front of my house, which has NO
landscaping and receives very little sunlight.

Thanks
floreksa


Piet Oudolf has a series of books about natural gardens. "Gardening with
Grasses" is quite good. The premise is to use a variety of ornamental
grasses as the backbone of the garden and plug holes with perennials and
surprises.

Your local county extension office should be able to guide you. An
established botanic garden usually comes with a collection of books and
folks with know-how.

Volunteering at at a garden is a hands-on approach to learning. Master
gardening programs are offered throughout the country through local
extension offices. Garden expos are another source.