Customer Reviews

Greenhouse Gardener's Companion

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have a lot of greenhouse books- the Ortho greenhouse book and the "Expert Greenhouse" book and others. This book is by far the best. I bought the first release and then upgraded to the (2000) "revised edition." What a pleasant surprise! It covers all the bases from setting up your greenhouse to growing specific crops. Now I'm eating fresh salads and home grown greenhouse tomatoes. If you want to too- get this book! It even explains organic - chemical free pest controls!

This is a great book for some one who needs the basics on gardening. I found the first 126 pages full of good info on setting up a greenhouse, but got to mention over 25 picture from a greenhouse supply catalog that I all ready got free.. the next 50 pages on propagation didn't have any thing on air layering or some other fun ways of growing plants. Its (air layering) the best way to start many plants. The next 125 pages is used to describe lots of flowers and vegetables, already in most good gardening books. The section on insects is very good and is worth the cost of this book. But the biggest problem I have with this otherwise well wrote book, is the negetive comments about hydroponics. The author does not seem to know of the latest fun growing methods that most greenhouse growers would like to dabble in. There are organic hydroponic fertilizers or you can make them. Growing hydroponic vegges does not have to be done the expensive set ups that some commercial growers use. Most large growers are using a very simple method that anyone can use. The directory had no surprises, alittle small. Do get this book if you no very little about gardening. A great first gardening book.

This is really a reference book. I can't imagine anyone reading it cover to cover. For me, the first 90 pages on green house design and operation were exactly what I needed. In the middle, there are 170 pages of commentary, organized by plant, in which the author makes witty and pointed comments on the utility of growing the specific plant in a green house. For example, on Avocados, he writes: "Before you get excited about homegrown guacamole fresh from your greenhouse, I need to tell you that avocados are difficult to get to produce fruit in a greenhouse." On banana, he states: "Bananas are worth growing solely for the tropical look they bring to a sunspace, and you can also get a harvest from your banana."

Throughout the other 200 pages, Smith offers guidance (and opinions) on just about everything you might want to know regarding green house gardening. For example, he has his own favorite composting technique and cannot get excited about hydroponics. He is excited about manual pollination techniques, though. He likes to have fun in his greenhouse, and his enthusiasm is contagious.

(...)

I love this book and am having such fun reading it. Shane Smith shares himself in such a way that although I've never met the man, I now think of him as a friend! His writing style is easy going and often very funny and personal and the information he imparts is useful, and obviously comes from years of real experience. Running even a hobby greenhouse can be expensive with all the gadgets, yet he gives good and practical advice for those who don't necessarily have the means to buy the biggest and best of everything the manufactures would like to sell you! He tells you what you really need to have and know, and what's just "fluff." I would recommend that anyone with a hobby greenhouse invest in this book.

This revised and expanded version of a great reference book is packed with information that will be especially helpful to anyone thinking of acquiring a greenhouse. There is also plenty of new information to inspire and educate the seasoned greenhouse gardener

This is the most comprehensive text on greenhouse growing that I have found to date. If you're like me and want to build/buy a greenhouse, this is the book for you. It covers construction (kits or homemade) in excellent detail. It isn't a construction "how to" book...it just gives you everything you need to know about the nuances of a greenhouse. It then goes into even further detail on how to operate it. I also found these sections very useful in learning how I want to build the greenhouse itself.

It is very well written and easy to read, including some injected humor. It's a big book and will answer most any question the fledgling greenhouse grower could imagine.

One of the best Greenhouse books out there!

I loved this book! It was the most comprehensive book I have found that gave me all the info I needed to get started using my hobby greenhouse. It's a great reference book that will be used for many years to come.

This is the best book on the topic I have come across. Yes, the author is not keen on hydroponics but if that is what you want there are other great books on that subject. I loved the chatty, down home style that makes each topic easy to understand.

The juicest Greenhouse book in print. This book is so easy to read yet plum full of useful information. This book is a must for the seedling gardeners as well as the master gardener. I loved the illustrations and pictures. The author makes you feel like someone you know, working to make you grow the garden of your dreams!