Winner of the Best Book Award in the 2009 Garden Writers Association Media AwardsNamed an "Outstanding Title" in University Press Books for Public and Secondary School Libraries, 2009In this introduction to sustainable landscaping practices, Linda Chalker-Scott addresses the most common myths and misconceptions that plague home gardeners and horticultural professionals. Chalker-Scott offers invaluable advice to gardeners gardeners who have wondered:Are native plants the best choice for sustainable landscaping?Should you avoid disturbing the root ball when planting?Are organic products better or safer than synthetic ones?What is the best way to control weeds-fabric or mulch?Does giving vitamins to plants stimulate growth?Are compost teas effective in controlling diseases?When is the best time to water in hot weather?If you pay more, do you get a higher-quality plant?How can you differentiate good advice from bad advice?The answers may surprise you. In her more than twenty years as a university researcher and educator in the field of plant physiology, Linda Chalker-Scott has discovered a number of so-called truths that originated in traditional agriculture and that have been applied to urban horticulture, in many cases damaging both plant and environmental health. The Informed Gardener is based on basic and applied research from university faculty and landscape professionals, originally published in peer-reviewed journals.After reading this book, you will:Understand your landscape or garden plants as components of a living systemSave time (by not overdoing soil preparation, weeding, pruning, staking, or replacing plants that have died before their time)Save money (by avoiding worthless or harmful garden products, and producing healthier, longer-lived plants)Reduce use of fertilizers and pesticidesAssess marketing claims objectivelyThis book will be of interest to landscape architects, nursery and landscape professionals, urban foresters, arborists, certified professional horticulturists, and home gardeners.For more information go to: theinformedgardener.com

PrefaceCRITICAL THINKINGThe Myth of Absolute ScienceThe Myth of Indisputable InformationThe Myth of Organic Superiority, Part IThe Myth of Organic Superiority, Part 2UNDERSTANDING HOW PLANTS WORKThe Myth of Fragile Roots--Pruning Flawed Woody Roots Before TransplantingThe Myth of Mighty RootsThe Myth of Top-Pruning Transplanted MaterialThe Myth of Tree ToppingHow Big is Big?The Myth of Hot-Weather WateringHOW / WHAT / WHEN / WHERE TO PLANTThe Myth of Instant LandscapingThe Myth of Native Plant Superiority--Going Native? Or Not?The Myth of Well-behaved OrnamentalsThe Myth of Plant Quality--Choosing the Best Plants at the NurseryThe Myth of Drainage Materials in ContainersThe Myth of Collapsing Root BallsThe Myth of Tree StakingSOIL ADDITIVESThe Myth of Soil Amendments, Part 1The Myth of Soil Amendments, Part 2The Myth of Soil Amendments, Part 3The Myth of Phosphate Fertilizer, Part 1The Myth of Phosphate Fertilizer, Part 2The Myth of Beneficial BonemealThe Myth of Polyacrylamide HydrogelsThe Myth of Wandering WeedkillerMULCHESThe Myth of Landscape Fabric--Using Arborist Wood Chips for Weed ControlThe Myth of Clean Compost--How Does Mulching Reduce Pesticide and Fertilizer Use?The Myth of Paper-Based Sheet MulchThe Myth of Pretty Mulch--Characteristics of an Ideal Landscape MulchMIRACLES IN A BAG / BOTTLE / BOXThe Myth of Compost TeaThe Myth of Compost Tea RevisitedThe Myth of Mineral MagicThe Myth of Vitamin ShotsThe Myth of Vitamin StimulantsThe Myth of Wound DressingsEssential Garden Tools and ProductsIndex