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The Informed Gardener Paperback – February 20, 2008

by Linda Chalker-Scott (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 98 ratings
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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

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    221 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    University of Washington Press
  4. Publication date
    February 20, 2008
  5. Dimensions
    8.82 x 5.74 x 0.57 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9780295987903
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0295987903
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Chalker-Scott is a one-woman Consumer Reports on gardening practices. Her book takes a look at what we think we know and what we've heard to be true, then holds it up against what research shows."―The Patriot News

"A succinct and easy-to-navigate resource . . . . Chalker-Scott's instructions are clear enough for even a first-time gardener to follow."―The Bloomsbury Review

"This enjoyable book should find its way into the hands of almost every gardener. . . . Highly recommended for public libraries with gardeners ready to tackle the literature, as well as academic and special libraries with interests in horticulture and gardening."―Library Journal

"Chalker-Scott's approach is unique in that she speaks about gardening as a genuine expert―- with academic credentials―- who debunks numerous myths. . . . in a manner that is easy for us laypeople to understand and absorb. . . Her conclusions are good advice for all of us to follow."―Washington State Grange News

"In her first book she takes on common garden myths about fertilizer, mulch, transplanting, staking, compost tea, watering and many more potentially confusing topics. She skillfully debunks them with current research as well as her experience in extension horticulture."―Seattle Times

"The Informed Gardener is a thorough, well-written guide and is highly recommended to any gardening enthusiast."―Midwest Book Review

"An informative, helpful guide to sustainable landscaping, with valuable emphasis on cutting through many of the myths and misunderstandings that now surround this increasingly hot topic."―Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"[Linda Chalker-Scott's] book does great service in helping the urban gardener move past common practices that hinder instead of help, looking to nature itself as the ultimate teacher of truths."―Cascadia Weekly

"Linda Chalker-Scott is gardening's version of television's 'MythBusters.' Ok, so she isn't so keen on blowing things up, but she does use scientific research to explain why many traditional horticultural practices aren't suitable for urban landscapes."―Tacoma News

"This book is a must―have for every gardener. We've been led down false garden paths by too many for too long."―Ginny Stibolt, author of Sustainable Gardening for Florida

"What a godsend to have so many competing claims about gardening examined from a scientific viewpoint and explained in an easy―to―read format."―Susan Harris, www.sustainable―gardening.com and www.gardenrant.com

"This groundbreaking book belongs in every gardener's library. Rather than pushing one viewpoint over another, the author brings a voice of reason to gardening without the usual hype."―BellaOnline

Review

"This enjoyable book should find its way into the hands of almost every gardener. . . . Highly recommended for public libraries with gardeners ready to tackle the literature, as well as academic and special libraries with interests in horticulture and gardening."

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0295987901
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Washington Press; F Second Printing Used edition (February 20, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 221 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780295987903
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0295987903
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.82 x 5.74 x 0.57 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 98 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Linda Chalker-Scott

    Linda Chalker-Scott

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    Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott has a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Oregon State University and is an ISA certified arborist. She is WSU's Extension Urban Horticulturist and an Associate Professor in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. In her position, she develops educational materials for home gardeners, certified arborists, restoration ecologists, pesticide applicators, and the nursery and landscape industry. She is also a regular contributor and science editor for Master Gardener Magazine, a Washington-based quarterly publication that presents scientifically valid information to a popular gardening audience. Her first book, The Informed Gardener (2008, University of Washington Press), is an examination of some common horticultural myths and was awarded a Silver Medal of Achievement from the Garden Writers Association in 2009.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Linda Chalker-Scott

    Linda Chalker-Scott

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott has a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Oregon State University and is an ISA certified arborist and an ASCA consulting arborist. She is WSU’s Extension Urban Horticulturist and a Professor in the Department of Horticulture.

    Linda is the author of five books; she also hosts “The Garden Professors” blog, The Garden Professos blog Facebook group, and Garden Professors page. Through these venues she and her colleagues educate and entertain an international audience. Most recently Linda appears in The Great Courses The Science of Gardening series.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
98 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Gardening Bees
5.0 out of 5 stars Short reads, Tall gardening rewards
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2022
Verified Purchase
A fantastic end table book full of short articles you can read in just a minute or two. Excellent science. If you have little time for deep study, this book is for you. Thoroughly enjoyable. I once called it a "bathroom book" because, well, it is the perfect place for the time you'll be there... and you leave feeling uplifted and happier somehow. To others, call it an end table book or a coffee table book. But, do place it where you'll read it and you, too, will recommed this book to others!
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Ginger
5.0 out of 5 stars As advertised
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2023
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As advertised
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Lazy Day Gardener
4.0 out of 5 stars If you want to treat your plants properly, give this a look....
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2008
Verified Purchase
One of the problems that scholars/researchers face is that they work long and hard for material that doesn't always translate into a book of substance. Chalker-Scott's examination of common gardening myths is quite helpful, but she doesn't really have a lot to say. [Most of the verbage is support for her basic concepts.] But what she does say can be important. So, even though it's really a small book with only a few true new ideas/methods, those are quite worthwhile.

sigh. Sorry I couldn't say all that a bit more clearly. I'm glad that I bought the book; it did change some of my gardening practices, but all the information could have been condensed into a few pages.
22 people found this helpful
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Bec Wolfe-Thomas
5.0 out of 5 stars This is valuable information for the home gardener or landscaper who doesn’t have the time or money to waste on old wives tales
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2016
Verified Purchase
The Informed Gardener and The Informed Gardener Blooms Again by Linda Chalker-Scott dives into a variety of gardening advice, supposed common sense, myth and folklore to debunk them based on current science and research. This is valuable information for the home gardener or landscaper who doesn’t have the time or money to waste on old wives tales.

One such myth that Linda debunks is putting gravel in the bottom of container for plant drainage. She explains why you should no longer do this and how water will not move easily from the fine soil to the coarse gravel below. Both of these books are full of great detailed information on why these myths, even though they might sound good, do not really work. A great guide for all gardeners to have on hand!
14 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Science Behind Common Sense Gardening!
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
This is a must have book for gardeners. It dispels so many common myths that everyone has heard over and over again and backs up the information with solid science. The format is particularly well planned out and it is a pleasure to read. It will be my gift to gardeners for now on!
3 people found this helpful
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Lisa and Josh
3.0 out of 5 stars Good information, but a misleading title.
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2017
Verified Purchase
This book should be titled Myths on Permanent Landscaping or something to that effect. And had it been I would not have made the mistake of choosing this book to guide me in my efforts to grow a vegetable garden. It's not useless for someone planting a vegetable garden, but that is decidedly not the focus of the book.
4 people found this helpful
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Richard Hyman
5.0 out of 5 stars A scientific approach to gardening.
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2008
Verified Purchase
A fascinating, brave book at variance with the received wisdom of my sixty years of gardening. I'm trying her methods this year. If what she writes is accurate, it explains many of my failures and relieves me of a great deal of work.

A compilation of articles, it lacks an easy to use how-to format. For example I'd like a presentation along the lines of standard gardening books. For planting out I want a clear, easy to use, set of diagrams and instructions incorporating her research. As it is, the index is not always useful, and I have to search the text for guidance leaving me the option of making my own outline from her book.
24 people found this helpful
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Bobbie Blythe
5.0 out of 5 stars Scientific methods improve our gardening practices
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2016
Verified Purchase
Gardening is full of "old wives tales" and folk lore. Even experienced gardeners hold on to false information because this was the way "Aunt Edna" did it. This book clearly defines the difference between the most current horticultural knowledge and gardening myths. Laboring under the influence of false information is a huge waste of time, effort and money. Thanks to Linda Chalker-Scott we can put our efforts into improving our gardens and plants using scientifically-researched methods as a source of information.
6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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D and K
2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting to a point.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 27, 2021
Verified Purchase
Not enough science and the myths are too often based on what has been read.
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M. Guy Morant
5.0 out of 5 stars Le jardinage soutenu par la science, enfin
Reviewed in France on May 11, 2014
Verified Purchase
Linda Chalker-Scott est un professeur d'horticulture qui aime pourfendre les mythes. Après avoir offert pendant des années de brillants billets sur son blog Horticultural Myths, elle a fini par rassembler quelques-uns de ces textes sous la forme d'un livre. Ici, pas de jolies photos ni de propagande horticole, mais des faits, du bon sens et des références scientifiques solides. Même le jardinier le plus expérimenté peut apprendre quelque chose dans ce petit ouvrage toujours nuancé, jamais méprisant.
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