Garden Library

The books behind the notes

The Garden Log uses these sources as research material, then rewrites guidance in its own friendly, practical language. No book text, chapters, tables, diagrams, or images are reproduced here.

Good citation manners:These references do not imply affiliation with, sponsorship by, or endorsement from the authors or publishers.

Beginner to classroom introductory

Introduction to Horticulture, Revised Fourth Edition Teacher’s Manual

By Charles B. Schroeder · 2009 · Pearson Education, Inc.

Used as a broad horticulture framework for plant structure, seed-starting, growing media, water, nutrients, vegetable production, and responsible pest management.

Source note: The attached PDF identifies itself as a teacher’s manual, so The Garden Log uses it for high-level concepts rather than plant-by-plant claims.

plant propagationsoil and nutrientsvegetable productionpest managementirrigation
Informs
Source records
  • Introduction to Horticulture, Revised Fourth Edition Teacher’s Manual (2009), Horticulture and the Environment, pp. 17–19High-level teacher’s manual material on water, nutrients, pests, and environmental stewardship.
  • Introduction to Horticulture, Revised Fourth Edition Teacher’s Manual (2009), Plant Propagation, pp. 23–25Used for seed-starting and vegetative propagation concepts.
  • Introduction to Horticulture, Revised Fourth Edition Teacher’s Manual (2009), Media, Nutrients, and Fertilizers, pp. 26–27Used for soil texture, growing media, and nutrient guidance.
  • Introduction to Horticulture, Revised Fourth Edition Teacher’s Manual (2009), Pest Management, pp. 29–31Used for pest categories and integrated pest management framing.
  • Introduction to Horticulture, Revised Fourth Edition Teacher’s Manual (2009), Olericulture—Vegetable Production, pp. 59–61Used for vegetable-growing factors including temperature, light, water, and soil.
  • Introduction to Horticulture, Revised Fourth Edition Teacher’s Manual (2009), Irrigation Systems, pp. 71–72Used for plant water use and soil-moisture checks.

Beginner-friendly, with depth for experienced gardeners

The Well-Tended Perennial Garden

By Tracy DiSabato-Aust · 2017 · Timber Press

Used for practical maintenance ideas: preparing beds, matching plants to sites, watering new plantings, pruning language, pest prevention, and seasonal garden rhythms.

bed preparationperennial carepruningdeadheadingpest preventionseasonal maintenance
Informs
Source records
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Design and Its Relationship to Maintenance, pp. 12–27Used for matching plants to site conditions and maintenance expectations.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Bed Preparation: Insurance for Success, pp. 29–43Used for soil testing, drainage, pH, organic matter, and bed preparation.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Planting and Renovation, pp. 45–61Used for planting depth, mulch, watering, fertilizing, and weed control.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Pests and Diseases, pp. 63–73Used for prevention-first pest and disease guidance.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Introduction to Pruning, pp. 85–93Used for why gardeners prune, pinch, and cut back plants.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Deadheading, pp. 95–105Used for spent-flower removal and bloom management.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Cutting Back, pp. 107–119Used for renewal pruning, height control, and post-pruning recovery care.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Pinching, Disbudding, Thinning, and Deadleafing, pp. 121–127Used for plant-shaping terminology and beginner-friendly pruning distinctions.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Pruning to Prepare for Winter and Pruning to Prepare for Spring, pp. 129–135Used for seasonal cleanup, winter interest, wildlife, and disease debris guidance.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Perennial Garden Planting and Maintenance Schedule, pp. 379–391Used for month-by-month seasonal maintenance themes.

Research index

What changed in the field guide

Test and observe before amending

Healthy soil starts with knowing what you have: texture, drainage, pH, and organic matter all affect whether roots can use water and nutrients.

soilcompostfertilizerbed preparation

Drainage is root care

Roots need both moisture and air. Soil that stays waterlogged can stress plants even when it looks like you are being generous with water.

drainagecontainerswateringsoil

Seeds need moisture, air, and timing

Seed-starting works best when the seedbed stays evenly damp, warm enough for the crop, and airy enough that young roots are not smothered.

seed startinggerminationseedlings

Vegetables like steady water, not surprise floods

Temperature, light, water, and soil conditions all steer vegetable growth. Big swings in moisture are especially rough on fast-growing crops and fruiting plants.

wateringvegetablesmulchsoil moisture

The right site prevents half the problems

Matching a plant to its light, moisture, hardiness, and maintenance needs is a quieter form of pest and disease prevention.

site selectionsunlightmaintenanceclimate

Identify pests before you act

Responsible pest management starts with prevention and diagnosis: many insects are harmless or helpful, and many plant symptoms are caused by site stress.

pestsdiseasesIPMbeneficial insects

Airflow is quiet disease prevention

Crowded, wet foliage can make leaf diseases easier to start and harder to stop. Spacing, pruning, and soil-level watering all help leaves dry faster.

disease preventionairflowpruningwatering

Pinching redirects growth

Pinching and light cutting back remove tender growing tips so many leafy plants branch instead of stretching into one tall stem.

pruningpinchingherbsharvesting

Mulch is a small garden stabilizer

A light mulch can reduce weed pressure, protect soil structure, and help keep moisture from swinging wildly between waterings.

mulchweedswateringseasonal care

Transplants prefer a gentle landing

Moving a plant is easier when roots are moist, weather is mild, and the planting depth matches the plant’s needs.

transplantingroot ballplanting depth

Cool crops reward consistency

Leafy greens and quick roots are less forgiving of drought, crowding, and heat than their easy reputation suggests.

cool seasonthinningwateringbolting

Garden notes turn mistakes into local knowledge

Seasonal schedules are useful, but your own dates, weather, pests, and harvest notes become the best guide for your exact garden.

seasonal careplanninglocal climate