Northern California Gardening: A Month-By-Month Guide

Rating:
Summary: A must-have for newbies to Northern California
Review: I stumbled on this book at the library, and now I have to have my very own copy to keep at my bedside! People who have grown up gardening in Northern California might find Endicott's advice old hat, but for people like me -- a longtime gardener but new to this region -- or for longtime NoCal residents who are just now getting into gardening -- this is an excellent guide. Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: Great region-specific gardening resource
Review: This book has helped me make the transition to gardening in the Central Valley. Besides being a new gardener, I'm also new to the Sacramento area. Northern California Gardening explains plant care clearly and includes a lot of recommendations for plants that thrive in the different NorCal micro-climates.

Because there's a limit to how much the book can cover, some subjects aren't explained as thoroughly as a beginner (like me) needs, but it provides me with a good starting point.

I love that the book is divided up by the different months of the year, specifying what tasks I need to consider during each month. It gets me excited about what gardening I will be doing in a few months' time.

Rating:
Summary: Indispensable Guide for Northern CA gardeners
Review: While there are many guides to Bay Area Gardening, those of us in Zone 14 (Sacramento) are usually busy trying to translate instructions for a dramatically different climate to our own gardening needs.

This book is an indispensable guide for ALL Northern Californians. Month-by-month the author tells us what all gardeners should be doing, then has specific recommendations for Central Valley, Mountain, and Coastal gardeners. Each month also includes great advice on pest control (she favors gentle methods), planting, pruning, and what is usually available at local nurseries.

This guide is especially good for people who are new to Northern CA, and are in garden shock. When I moved from Zone 4 to Zone 14 it was the first book I purchased and it was a real life saver (the plants's lives, that is!)