For variety and economy, no gardener can do better than to grow plants from seed. Here is a thorough, practical, seasoned handbook which details everything you need to know to grow any plants from seed, steers you in the right directions, and helps avoid the many pitfalls and frustrations that first-time seed growers encounter.This book includes topics as varied as the right soil (and soilless) mixtures, lighting, when to plant seeds indoors for optimum spring-time transplants, see-starting kits, easy (and hard) seeds to grow, and much more - with specific instructions for a wide range of garden flowers and vegetables.Growing Plants from Seed will prove an invaluable handbook for any gardener. (5 1/2 X 8 1/4, 224 pages, illustrations, charts)
This handbook begins with general information on starting seeds indoors and out. The following chapters--most of the book--list specific vegetables, flowers, houseplants, and more. Each plant is given a few historical facts and specific instructions for seed starting. The tone is impersonal, the writing pedestrian and not always precise. On page 124 ``some fluorescent tubes cause seedlings to elongate.'' ``Which ones?'' cries the frustrated reader. The book's plan, so similar to garden catalogs, lacks their excitement--not to mention color photographs. The best part is a list of over 55 seed houses. Prefer when possible Nancy Bubel's The Seed-Starter's Handbook ( LJ 4/15/78). Its fuller, more informative, and far livelier introduction to seed growing can be applied to all kinds of seeds, even though specific information on individual plants is given only for vegetables.-- Sharon Levin, Univ. of Vermont Lib., Burlington
