Free Downloads Neil Sperry's Complete Guide To Texas Gardening
#4 on Publishers Weekly's Bestselling Gardening Books list! This new, completely revised edition has over 500 new photographs, 400 new illustrations, 400 new plants and trees, the latest pest control recommendations, fruit and vegetable recommendations, new tips and plants specifically for Southern Texas, plus everything in the first edition.
Hardcover: 388 pages
Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing; 2 edition (April 1, 1991)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0878337997
ISBN-13: 978-0878337996
Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 1.1 x 11.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (88 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #40,861 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #1 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Gardening & Landscape Design > By Region > Southwest #61 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Reference #6619 in Books > Textbooks
Texas is a different planet, and Neil Sperry has charted it. No other gardening book in the world prepares someone for the extreme climates, the hideous excuse for soil, and the vast assortment of herbaceous critters that exist in this state. You have to have this book to succeed in landscaping endeavors. The pages on my copy are well-worn. It is an excellent, easy-to-use reference bible. A bargain at twice the price.
If you live in Texas and do anything with your lawn or garden, BUY this book immediately.Neil covers lawns, perennials, annuals, vegetables, trees, and shrubs in an exhaustive, comprehensive format. Full color pictures guide you through the basics of gardening these types, water and fertilizer, recommendations on your part of Texas, along with summaries of each plant.If the shrub/plant has pest problems, fungus issues or is high maintenance, Neil lays it out in a no B.S. manner that's both easy to read and handily referenced later. Every plant has a color picture associated, which helps a lot.The ONLY thing missing in his book would be house plants, but purchased "The House Plant Expert" for those.'s price is a steal compared to my local bookstore - WELL WORTH the twenty-five bucks. It's a big, hardbound, monster-sized book that you'll constantly be referring back to again and again!
This book is wonderfully informative. It has hundreds of color pictures to help you choose plants and covers the ones that are native or adapt very well to our climate. Don't be thinking you can check it out at the library. I live in Austin and they have dozens of copies but they are checked out at every branch. IT'S A MUST HAVE!
Although there is a lot of helpful information in this book, there are some major drawbacks. First, not every plant described is accompanied by a photo. Also, some basic information is missing for many plants (like mature height, type of light/soil required, when the bloom period is..). The book also feels somewhat dated both in the plants covered (and some of the more newly popular natives that are not covered) and the presentation. There also really isn't a whole lot of insight offered by this author. Some of my favorite gardening books are Native Texas Plants, Texas Bug Book, and the locally available "Garden Guide for austin and vicinity" and the excellent and free pamphlet "Native and Adapted Landscape Plants" available at local nurseries and the extension office.
As a longtime Texas resident, first in the DFW area and currently in the San Antonio area, and an amateur gardener, I have collected over the years, every book I can find on the subject of gardening, particurally Texas gardening.Although I believe many aspects of the book could be improved, such as its organization, latest organic techniques, newer varieties etc., (How about a third edition, Neil?) I still believe it is the best single volume reference for the homeowner.(...)
This is my second favorite gardening book. It is very comprehensive with over 400 plant listings. It has descriptive listings of the different varieties of each species. The photographs are informative and beautifully shot.I am mot awarding 5 stars for the following reasons. Important information such as water needs is missing. The other information is poorly organized and forces you to read through a large description to find it. The chapter divisions are not usably organized. For example Dale Grooms Texas Gardening Guide has chapters on Annuals, another on Bulbs, Corms, Rhizomes, and Tubers, another on Native Wildflowers, another on Perennials, and a separate chapter on Roses. Dale Groom also has icons identifying Sun Preference and whether it is Drought Resistant. This is much easier to use.Well worth having in your library, but because it is not easy to use, it will probably not be the first book you reach for.
I became a first time homeowner 2 years ago and I didn't know anything about gardening. My friend recommended this book to me and it has been very educational. It is the only book I reference when planning my garden. This book is broken down by topic: Perennials, Annuals, Trees, Shrubs, etc. It explains the differences between all the flowers and what environment is best for each flower/shrub/vine/trees. The pictures are great! There are pictures of almost every plant he describes. I have able to choose my flowers to plant each season from the book so when I go to the nursery I know exactly what I need.
Do you need a quick reference full of information tailored to Texas gardening (yes, it is different here)? Look no further. So many gardening references try for a national application, but you won't be able to employ them successfully here. Sperry does a great job in this tome and it is never far from me in the spring, summer and fall.Great advice on lawns as well. I use it for advice on my lawn all the time as well.Sperry also has a great radio show worthy of note.
Neil Sperry's Complete Guide to Texas Gardening Gardening:The Simple instructive complete guide to vegetable gardening for beginners (mini farming,Preparedness Gardening,Vertical Gardening,Gardening ... Gardening, Organic Gardening, aquaponic) Hydroponics: Secrets Of Hydroponic Gardening - A Practical Guide For Beginners To Learn Everything About Hydroponic Gardening (Greenhouse Gardening, Organic Gardening, Basics Of Gardening) Gardening: Organic Gardening Beginners Guide: Growing Vegetables, Herbs and Berries (Gardening, Beginners Gardening, Organic Gardening, Vegetable) Winter Gardening for Beginners 2nd Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Planning, Planting & Growing Your Winter Flowers and Vegetables (Companion Gardening, ... Gardening, Gardening, Raised Bed Gardening) Greenhouse Gardening: How To Effectively Grow Fruits, Vegetables, And Plants All Year In A Greenhouse Efficiently (Gardening, Planting, Companion Gardening, Gardening Guide, Greenhouse Gardening) Gardening: Air-Cleaning House Plants to Purify Your Home - DIY Home, Home Gardening & Indoor Gardening (Healthy Home, Gardening for Beginners, Container ... Hacks, Healthier You, Outdoor Gardening) Texas Fruit & Vegetable Gardening: Plant, Grow, and Eat the Best Edibles for Texas Gardens (Fruit & Vegetable Gardening Guides) Greenhouse Gardening for Beginners 2nd Edition: How to Grow Flowers and Vegetables Year-Round In Your Greenhouse (Gardening, Planting, Companion Gardening, ... Gardening Guide, Planting Guide) Permaculture Gardening For Beginners: The Ultimate Practical Guide To Permaculture Gardening And Permaculture Design (Gardening For Beginners, Basics Of Gardening) Companion Planting: Companion Gardening - A Practical Guide For Beginners To Learn Everything About Companion Planting (Organic Gardening, Container Gardening, Vegetable Gardening) Hydroponic Gardening: How To Grow 40 Pounds of Organic Produce 50% Faster With No Soil And No Yard (hydroponic gardening, aquaponics, square foot gardening, ... container gardening, urban homestead) Perennial Vegetables: Vegetable Gardening: 21 Vegetables to Plant Once and Harvest Forever (Perennial Vegetables, Perennial Plants, Gardening, Gardening ... Garden Vegetables, and Vegetable Gardening) Gardening: 4 in 1 Masterclass: Book 1: Container Gardening + Book 2: Vertical Gardening + Book 3: Urban Homesteading + Book 4: Square foot Gardening GARDENING: The Ultimate Gardening Techniques for Beginners! (2nd Edition): Gardening - Easy Tips and Tricks to Make Gardening Easier and More Productive Greenhouse: Greenhouse Gardening Box Set (Greenhouse, Greenhouse Gardening, Greenhouse Gardening for Beginners, Greenhouse for Dummies, Garden, Gardening) Dale Groom's Texas Gardener's Guide (Dale Groom's Texas Gardening Guide) Gardening: The Complete Guide To Mini Farming (Square Foot Gardening, Small Space Gardening, Mini Farming For Beginners) The Complete Guide to Planning Your Estate in Texas: A Step-by-Step Plan to Protect Your Assets, Limit Your Taxes, and Ensure Your Wishes are Fulfilled for Texas Residents Neil Armstrong: The Quest for His Autograph
