The other thing you can do is utilise the public library system. If your local library doesn't have a book on hand, there is interlibrary loan - they can get it for you from wherever it is in stock - it might take a couple of weeks, but... If you really like a book, then you can buy it. Another option might be asking around to see if there are any local organic gardeners/producers - try the local Farmers Market or health food store for names and contact info - and see if they would be willing to let you pick their brains for a listing of good books. If you offered to help out with any necessary chores - weeding, etc. - then you might get a good response. While some of their books might be oriented towards a larger scale than you want, the principles would be the same. IOf there is a local source for organic fertilisers then they would possibly be able to help, both with other organic gardeners and with a list of good books - just be careful they DO know something, and aren't just rying to sell the most-heavily-stocked-book! That said you might try anything by Elliot Coleman - even though he is in Maine, the principles are the same. However, finding local sources, or at least southern sources, would make the extrapolations and adjustments a LOT easier. Depending on where you got the book from, and if you beat it up while reading it, you might be able to return it. I have often returned books to Waldenbooks or B & N, simply saying that they weren't what I wanted. If you don't have the receipt, you'll probably get a store credit.

Yes, I am interested! Do you still have these? Burpee  American Gardening Series: "Garden Designs" "The Backyard Landscaper" by Ireland-Gannon Associates, Inc. "The Garden Planning Kit" by Derek Fell with Sarah Wood I just posted a list on this forum. LMK if interested. Theresa

Nice topic! My favorites are No Compromise Decorating- Lynette Jennings American Country Cottages- Mary Emmerling Nell Hill's Decorating Secrets- Mary Carol Garrity

rifis....Thank you....and your description of my deer fence is hilarious! It was hastily constructed a few years after the garden was made. It works very well, but yes, it does look a bit odd. Thank you Silvia....yes, it's a 36 inch high standard. Our Home Depots locally were awash with them last year! Z10Socal....Thank you! The roses do really, really well up here. They hybrid teas not so much, but shrubs roses, Austins, hybrid musks are fabulous. Blackspot is the nemesis here, but many varieties stay quite healthy. Another tough thing is rain ruining blooms in spring and autumn....but we are bone dry from July-Sept, so that helps keep things healthy (as long as we irrigate). I have never sprayed or used chemicals in my garden. It is NOT perfect disease-wise...but they roses still grow really well. The biggest problem I have in my garden is too much shade. On the plus side, the colors are nicer and the blooms last a long time.