Request for Book Suggestions -Reply

I have two suggestions for you:  

1. The library is a great source until you find
your "niche" in gardening (you will, like most of
us, end up leaning toward something, roses,
perennials, vegetables, you get my drift), and
the library is free (more money for plants).

2.  Put your name on every mail order catalogue
you can, many have excellent pictures and tons
of cultural information.  Always keep in mind
they are trying to sell you something, but that's
easy to remember when you see the prices.

Okay I lied, three suggestions.

3.  Once you find your niche, or are on the
path, join the Garden Book Club.  Great
sources, same price you'd pay anyway, and
some less as you accrue "bonus points."

But if you're too impatient to wait for these
(which will change as you become a gardener, if
nothing else it teaches patience and
persistence!), the overall "Bible" for gardening is
the Western Garden Book (assuming you're in
the west -- guess there are ones for the other
areas, as well.)  Line-drawn pictures, pretty
good information, but definitely handy to have,
whatever stage of gardening you're in.

And I commend you for signing up for a class. 
Fasten your seatbelt!  Gardening is a blast!

>>> "Bosco, Mimi"
<mbosco@metropo.mccneb.edu> 05/19/98
02:52pm >>>
We moved into a new house this winter, and
when spring finally came,
were delighted to find the remnants of a border
garden. The garden has
been neglected for at least one or two planting
seasons, and what isn't
bare ground is covered in moss or weeds.  A few
brave plants have stood
their ground--mostly hostas and ladies mantles.
 I think there were
probably big expanses of bulbs or annuals in
the garden at one time.
There's a 15 foot tall scraggly Japanese
snowball (at least that's what
I think it is) that is all tangled up in our electric
wires.  The poor
thing is out of control.  

I'm eager to jump in and just start DOING, but
I'd probably do more
damage than good with the limited knowledge I
have.  I need to pick up
some good reference materials that would help
with plant identification,
design basics, planting guidelines, pruning, care,
and . . . everything.
Can anyone suggest  books or magazines
currently on the market?  Please
keep in mind that I have almost no experience
or background in
gardening, so I will need something for the lay
person.  I've signed up
for a introductory horticulture class at the
community college, but
classes won't start till fall.

Any and all suggestions are welcome.  Thanks!  

--Mimi in Zone 5 (maybe?)
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