Here is a link to a discussion we recently had about good gardening books but that was mostly concerning perennial gardening. I am just now getting into vegetable gardening, mostly under the influence of my fellow gardeners here. My main book resource for vegetable gardening is Rodale's All-New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening Edited by Fern Marshall Bradley and Barbara W. Ellis. I also have a copy of Carrots Love Tomatoes which is a fun guide to companion planting. Singcharlene recommended Lasagna Gardening by Pat Lanza, a book about soil preparation that has been very helpful to me. None of these books are real specific to Colorado. I eagerly await the suggestions of the gardeners here who have been doing this longer than I.

Blueiris, I didn't express this on the other thread but I use Rodale's Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening regularly.

Rodale has used the word NEW in the title but that only distinguishes it from the original. There are 2 NEW editions published in 1992 and 1997. The original and these 2 are available on the web. It would make sense to use some caution when ordering or you may end up with the one I've had all these years - from 1959.

This encyclopedia isn't just for organic gardeners and it isn't Colorado specific. It is, however, very useful as a reference.

digitS'
jardinier invétéré

Hi BlueIris,

You might think this is off-the-wall, but in addition to getting your friends a book, you might want to take the time to go to a bunch of the seed company web sites and sign them up to get the new 2008 catalogs when theyÂre sent out. If theyÂre thinking "gardening," I bet theyÂll really be excited to get a pile of catalogs shortly after Christmas when itÂs cold and dreary outside. And besides saving them the time of doing it themselves, IÂm guessing you have a much better idea of which to request and how to do it. IÂve linked to a recent "catalog" thread below to maybe add some possibilities to the places you already use.

IÂd recommend a book, but the only one I really ever use is a perennial book. ItÂs a great reference, especially for beginners, but no veggies! I pretty much just garden by the wing-it system! If itÂs something I donÂt already know (or canÂt find out here) I just experiment until I find something that works for me. I find I learn more from experience (mine and otherÂs) than I do from booksÂand itÂs more fun.

Skybird
jardinier olde!

Here is a link that might be useful: Seed Catalogs thread

blueiris, I don't know of any CO specific vegetable gardening books. I've never encountered any. One that I love dearly and explains what veggies like alkaline or acidic soil is a Burpee book. It is very big and heavy, but I refer to it a lot. I don't know, but maybe if you can find an old Herb Gundell book, there might be something in there. He was the CO garden guru for ages in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Don't think there are many that discuss veggie gardening in their books.

And there is always CSU for info and Denver Master Gardeners here.

Here is a link that might be useful: Burpee Herb and Veggie book

Jaliranchr- Thanks for the cool book recommendation, it has now been added to my Christmas list.

You could go on amazon.com and search for books by Herb Gundell and John Cretti. They have both written all purpose gardening guides that are specific to Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region.
Karen

I found this one on the Park's website.

Bonnie

Here is a link that might be useful: Month by Month Gardening in Rocky Mountains by John Cretti

I've always relied on the Sunset Western Garden Book as a useful reference. It has a good photo section, and encyclopedia of plants, and appendices on garden tools and techniques. They also have a companion book called Sunset Western Landscaping Book, which may be handy if your friend is thinking of redesigning or improving on their landscape.

Your friend should know, though, that Sunset created their own garden zone maps, and they are different than the USDA zones that most of us use when talking about what plants are hardy in our region. That's really not a big deal, though, as long as they don't get confused between the two zone systems. I'm a zone 6 by USDA and a zone 3 in Sunset.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sunset Western Garden Book (Amazon)

I am living in Jakarta, Indonesia at the time in Embassy but have property in mountains around Cripple Creek, Colorado. I would like to find a garden book to read while I am here before we start our cabin, so I can start planting at same time. In Oklahoma, we have an Oklahoma Gardening book by a prof at OSU..........it is a great book. Is there not a book similar for Colorado?

I picked up Dick Raymond's Gardening Year at a local thrift store today and wondered if anyone has read it or used it. He is in Vermont but a lot of it is on planning your veggie garden space, planting techniques, etc. The month-by-month guide will probably be the most useful for me since I get sidetracked easily.