Mid-Atlantic
April, 2005
Regional Report
Web Finds
All About Soil
This University of Minnesota site -- Nutrition, Soils, Fertilizers and Composts -- is a gold mine of information on how to check up on the soil you've got and then how to improve or amend it if needed. You also will find links to more information about all aspects of soil care, including testing, pH, fertilizers, composting, and more. You are sure to find what you need by starting here.
Books
My Mother's Garden
Penelope Hobhouse provides the introduction to this sweet book, My Mother's Garden: A Collection About Love, Flowers, and Family (Chamberlain Bros., 2005; $9.95), noting that these writers "pay loving tribute to a past which helped to shape their future." If you need a Mother's Day gift (or would like to treat yourself to a delightful and inspiring collection of very personal gardening essays, stories, and poems) this charming book could easily top your list. The cover is nearly pretty enough to bestow without gift wrap, and the far-ranging collection of both reprinted and original essays by predominently women gardeners -- both old friends and contemporary voices -- includes at least a topic or two or three sure to please every reader.
