alisande, I used to have a black thumb, able to kill any kind of plant almost before planting it. Never detered me from gardening though. Did deter the usefulness of doing it. LOL Finally read, on this forum, the difference between having a green thumb or a black thumb -- knowledge! Lots and lots of knowledge! (Doh! Sounds so obvious now. LOL) When I can't garden, I read books about gardening and take notes, so I'm more likely to remember everything I've learned. During gardening season, I usually come running to this forum, when I come across unexpected problems -- which, despite all the reading, happens often anyway. Oh well! I've been on this regiment for four years now, and have worked myself all the way up to a yellow thumb -- about 60% of what I plant survive. About 30% of what I sow (usually starting inside 6-8 weeks early) become full fledged plants. With that, the answer to your question is "Yes!!!" Read books and these forums! You've already been given the best starter book's name for container gardeners, who want to grow edibles (it includes edible flowers, too, so that "beautiful" works for produce containers, too) -- "McGee & Stuckey's Bountiful Container: Create Container Gardens of Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Edible Flowers." Has cut down my questions greatly, although, I actually did grow pumpkins out of a container. (You'll understand the reference when you read that chapter. LOL) Also, for specific books about specific kinds of plants and specific kinds of gardening, check out "Timberline Books." (They're a bit expensive on their site, but you can always buy used ones from Amazon or pay nothing and borrow books from you're local library. If the book's worth it, then buy it.) And, one more recommendation, given that I was so completely naive at first, don't snub books about gardening designed for kids. Not only do they cover the absolute basics, they also tell how to make it fun -- a must for kids in the garden, or me. LOL

Hi, toomuchglass... I have two little boys, my husband, and myself in a small Cape. It's a pretty little house with ceiling beams, wide plank pine floors, and a big fireplace. We've been very happy here. Then the other day my husband said, "Let's get a child- sized table with two small chairs for the kids to do their artwork. Then they can just sit down and draw or color whenever they want without you having to haul everything out to set it up on the kitchen table." "What a great idea!" I said, and began to feverishly search the web for kids' art tables. Then it occurred to me: where would I put this marvelous kid-sized table and chairs? In the livingroom? Sure, if I tossed out one of my chairs and rearranged all the remaining furniture I could make room. In the small computer room? Only if I tossed our desperately needed bookcases. Maybe I could perch it on top of the train table that hogs the center of their (shared) bedroom. I finally realized that in my house, where each December brings the nail biting decision of where I'll fit a Christmas tree, an art table, however small, just isn't in the cards. So even though I love my home, I do feel your pain! Crystal

Below is a list of some of the books members of this forum have recommended. While this list certainly does not represent the complete list of books on this subject it is a good place to start. Some books were recommended without the member adding commentary. If you have read any of these books and would like to add to the books comments, please let me know (see link at bottom of page). Corrections and additions will be made expeditiously as they are requested. A Japanese Garden Journey: Through Ancient Stones and Dragon Bones Author(s): Judith Klingsick Comments: I know it is a small hardcover book: 44 pages. A Japanese Touch For Your Garden Author(s): Kiyoshi Seike Masanobu Kudo and David H. Engel Comments: Has a wealth of practical information Art of Japanese Gardens: Designing & Making Your own Peaceful Space Author(s): Herb Gufstafson Comments: It is a wonderful book Colors in Kyoto Author(s): Kenji Hashimoto and Michiko Takagi Comments: It has wonderful photos of the details that make Japanese style Japanese. Creating Japanese Gardens Author(s): Philip Cave Comments: I almost didn't get Cave's book but it is truly beautiful. Enhance Your Garden with Japanese Plants - a practical sourcebook Author(s): Judy Glattstein Comments: An introduction to and history of Japanese plants in America is followed by sections describing and providing cultivation information Garden Art Of Japan, The Author(s): Masao Hayakawa Comments: It has some striking pictures. There are a few colour plates, but the rest of the pictures are in black and white. To me, one of the most powerful pictures is one of the stone arrangement in the upper garden, Saiho-ji, Kyoto. The author writes of it as '...a crystallization of the spirit of the great priest Muso Soseki - a spirit that truly revolutionized Japanese garden design in the medieval age.' A little further on, he refers to the upper garden as representing 'the deeply ascetic outlook of Zen.....' Chapter 4 is entitled 'The World Of The Dry-Landscape Garden and the sub-heading 'Gardens for Zen Discipline'. It begins - 'Muso Soseki attempted to give physical form to his Zen Philosophy in the dry-landscape garden of Saiho-ji and the dry waterfall stone group in the garden of Tenryu-ji. Such gardens are in themselves a means towards Zen self-examination, spiritual refinement and ultimate enlightenment. They therefore belong to a dimension of creativity entirely different (my underlining) from that of gardens designed for pleasure or for the gratification of aesthetic tastes......' I found it difficult to put the book down. Garden Views I - Modern Japanese Gardens Author(s): Tatsui Teien Kenkyujo Garden Views II - Stone & Sand Gardens Author(s): Tatsui Teien Kenkyujo Garden Views III - Water & Stream Gardens Author(s): Tatsui Teien Kenkyujo Garden Views IV - Tree & Moss Gardens Author(s): Tatsui Teien Kenkyujo Gardening The Japanese Way Author(s): Sima Eliovson Comments: A big book with lots of color pictures and lots of advice on all aspects of Japanese style gardening. Infinite Spaces: The Art and Wisdom of the Japanese Garden Author(s): Joe Earle Comments: Pairs quotations from an ancient writing the Sakuteiki on garden design with exquisite photos that illuminate the words. Japanese Courtyard Gardens Author(s): Haruzo Ohashi Comments: A beautiful picture book that gives a nice sampling of small gardens -- including those in private residences hotels and inns and temples/shrines. Japanese Detail: Architecture Author(s): Sadao Hibi Comments: Some excellent pictures of fences paths basins and lanterns. Japanese Garden Construction Author(s): Samuel Newscom Japanese Garden Design Author(s): Marc P. Keane Comments: Reading such a smooth introduction to Japanese gardens was a pleasurable experience. Japanese Gardening in Small Spaces Author(s): Isao Yoshikawa Comments: It has very specific instructions for stone placement construction of gates and fences with bamboo tying knots. Japanese Gardens Author(s): Gunter Nitschke Taschen Comments: Has wonderful photos of classic garden concepts Japanese Gardens Revisited Author(s): Gisei Takakuwa Comments: Is largely of photographs by Kiichi Asana with commentary by Gisei Takakuwa. The photographs are in colour and I can spend a lot of time admiring them, but most of them are on a grander scale than most back yards, so, (for me) it's of limited use. Japanese Gardens Today how the Japanese use rocks water plants Author(s): Tatsuo Ishimoto Comments: Japanese Stone Gardens: how to make and enjoy them Author(s): Kazuhiko Fukuda Comments: I think it's very good. Japanese Style Author(s): SlesinCliff and Rozensztroch Comments: The highlight of the book is the wonderful photos by Chabaneix. It's full of the details of Japanese life that are so distinctive: the patterns of shoji bamboo fences and roof beams; the way vegetables and tea sweets are arranged; the crowded simplicity of shop interiors; the blue white and wood of home interiors. Journal of Japanese Gardening Author(s): bi-monthly magazine Comments: Excellent 'how to' guides, articles and comentary Landscape as Spirit Author(s): Mosko and Noden Comments: Beautiful book! May help out those of you working on rock setting projects. Landscape Gardening in Japan Author(s): Josiah Conder Comments: has numerous reproductions of the black-and-white woodblock prints from these Edo period gardening manuals, as well as fascinating photos of famous (plus some just plain weird) gardens taken during the Meiji era. (For instance, see Kinkakuji with the pond choked with aquatic weeds on page 171). A really fun book for reference (would not recommend using it to design a garden.....) Looking for the Lost: Journeys Through a Vanishing Japan Author(s): Alan Booth Comments: Booth was a particularly insightful traveler who knew the Japanese culture well. His memoir/travel accounts are full of details about people and their lives in the out-of-the-way places few travelers see. Magic Of Trees And Stones: Secrets of Japanese Gardening Author(s): SAITO, K. et al. Comments: just quite simply the best book(english language) on the subject. Masterpieces of Japanese Garden Art: Central Kyoto Author(s): Mizuno Katsuhiko Comments: All large photo format published by Books Nippan. Masterpieces of Japanese Garden Art: Eastern and Northern Kyoto Author(s): Mizuno Katsuhiko Comments: All large photo format published by Books Nippan. Masterpieces of Japanese Garden Art: Nunnerys Author(s): Mizuno Katsuhiko Comments: All large photo format published by Books Nippan. Masterpieces of Japanese Garden Art: Western Kyoto Author(s): Mizuno Katsuhiko Comments: All large photo format published by Books Nippan. Natural Stonescapes The Art and Craft of Stone Placement Author(s): Richard Dube and Frederick C. Campbell Comments: It is a good book has detailed instruction on stone placement good info on where to get stones how to handle them and so on. Lots of drawings and photos. Nature on View: Homes and Gardens Inspired by Japan Author(s): Peggy Landers Rao & Jean Mahoney Comments: It has wonderful ideas for merging the indoors with the garden. Plus it features Japanese-influenced homes in the US. It has been a real source of inspiration for me. Gardener. Oriental Gardening Author(s): Japanese Garden Society of Oregon Comments: It is a very good intro for general Oriental garden style planning and had some good basic horticultural instructions too. The photos are quite inspiring. Reflections of the Spirit: Japanese Gardens in America Author(s): Maggie Oster Comments: One more book with wonderful photos. Secret Teachings in the Art of Japanese Gardens Author(s): David Slawson Comments: What sets this work apart is its depth and focus on unraveling the underlying design principles and its intent on providing a deeper understanding into the art of Japanese gardening. Serene Gardens Author(s): Yoko Kawaguchi Comments: Serene Gardens is illustrated with a wide variety of photos and comprehensively covers Japanese gardening. It has an exhaustive plant list and plenty of practival advice. Space & Illusion In The Japanese Garden Author(s): Teiji Itoh Comments: A passage in it that got my attention reads - '....Zen priests advocated the use of materials near at hand rather than the expenditure of large sums of money to procure and transport fantastically shaped rocks and rare trees. Indeed Buddhism itself is symbolized in this frugal advice, and it was of such a philosophy that the rock garden and the dry-landscape (kare sansui) garden were born.' (my italics). 'Frugal' certainly appeals to me. Spirit of Kyoto Author(s): Mizuno Katsuhiko Comments: Gorgeous photography on every page of gardens landscapesplants and flowers. Extraordinary. Stonescaping: A Guide to using Stone in your Garden Author(s): J. Kowalscewski Whitner Comments: If you're drawn towards the rewarding art and science of working with stone this book is a must The Art of Bonsai Author(s): Peter D. Adams Comments: Heavily illustrated with color and b&w photos and drawings The Art of the Japanese Garden Author(s): David en Michiko Young Comments: 2005, ISBN 0804835985, Turtle Pusblishing. A very good book with excellent photography and drawings. A kind that we can recommend if one looks for one book on Japanese gardens. The Art of the Japanese Garden Author(s): Tatsuo Ishimoto Comments: Scaled drawings of the Gardens are included with arrows indicating the orientation and direction that the pictures were taken. It goes a long way toward helping the concepts leap off the page. The Art of Zen Gardens Author(s): A.K.Davidson Comments: An excellent garden designer and builder's companion The Imperial Gardens of Japan Author(s): Takeji Iwamiya and Teiji Itoh Comments: An exquisite book The Modern Japanese Garden Author(s): Michiko Rico Nose et al Comments: Great photography intriguing ideas for incorporating Japanese-inspired design elements in homes and gardens. The Ocean in the Sand: Japan From Landscape to Garden Author(s): Mark Holborn Comments: I thought it was dry at first but after about 20 pages I was taking copious notes! Fascinating if you're trying to understand the 'why'. The World of the Japanese Garden Author(s): Loraine Kuck Comments: A cornerstone to my collection. Themes in the History of Japanese Garden Art Author(s): Wybe Kuitert Comments: (ISBN 0-8248-2312-5) The best English-language treatment of Japanese garden history available. It's a bit hard to work through, but that's partly due to the meatiness of the material. I found it worked perfectly well to read its chapters out of order, following any thread I was particularly interested in. The index and bibliography (both J & E) are excellent and Wybe gives a very extensive glossary including kanji/kana. Today's Japanese garden Author(s): Daivid Ingel Comments: Mr Ingel asociated top Japanese schoolar in 50's. Book is kind old, but book has very accurate articles and good photos. Tsuboniwa - The Japanese Courtyard Garden Author(s): Mizuno Katsuhiko Comments: Nice photo book lots of nice intimate gardens great for ideas.

I knew the folks on RP would have a handle on this one. The question is: "What is 'Tomorrow is another day?" This comes, they say, about 2 minutes after Rhett's famous, "Frankly, my dear..." quote. Congrats, Deborah.