Your comments about roses and how advice has changed over time due to improvements in roses made me think of a set of old, old garden reference books that I got from my mom. (I think she got it from the grocery store back in the day when they would sell dishware and other items week by week to get you to come back until you got the whole set! Those were the days! -- end of reminiscing.)
It is the New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Gardening from 1967, edited by T. H. Everett of the NY Botanical Garden. Other than sentimental value is it worth consulting or have methods changed so much and new varieties have been introduced that the information is badly outdated and might steer me wrong.
Thanks for thinking this over. As always, great listening to you two and learning.
Hi Barb, I think old books are excellent sources of information as long as you also consult newer stuff like that from true experts and university sources. If your books are from the 1970s, and I bet they are, you may get a lot of pesticide information. Most gardeners don’t do much spraying of either pesticides or fungicides now. We don't need to because the new roses are hybridized for disease resistance. Older roses that have stood the test of time are also very tough old girls in the best sort of way. That being said, I have an old rose book that talks about how chemicals in the garden actually came from WWI. It was written in the 30s. They advised people not to use them. I guess everything that goes around comes around again. Have fun with your roses and try not to worry over them too much. I lost two shrubs to voles this spring. I just won't plant a rose in that spot again.
I have also planted Provider bean seeds and had issues this year! I forgot about Carol's issues last year. I have planted them twice this year and only a couple came up each time and then didn't grow any taller than two inches, but the other two types of beans I planted right next to them are growing great.
Jamie, sorry to hear you had issues! The seeds I collected last year are doing well. If you'll email me (indygardener at gmail dot com) and tell me where you bought your seeds and it turns out to be the same seed source as I used, I will email them to let them know. Thanks.
Hi Dee and Carol
Your comments about roses and how advice has changed over time due to improvements in roses made me think of a set of old, old garden reference books that I got from my mom. (I think she got it from the grocery store back in the day when they would sell dishware and other items week by week to get you to come back until you got the whole set! Those were the days! -- end of reminiscing.)
It is the New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Gardening from 1967, edited by T. H. Everett of the NY Botanical Garden. Other than sentimental value is it worth consulting or have methods changed so much and new varieties have been introduced that the information is badly outdated and might steer me wrong.
Thanks for thinking this over. As always, great listening to you two and learning.
B.
Hi Barb, I think old books are excellent sources of information as long as you also consult newer stuff like that from true experts and university sources. If your books are from the 1970s, and I bet they are, you may get a lot of pesticide information. Most gardeners don’t do much spraying of either pesticides or fungicides now. We don't need to because the new roses are hybridized for disease resistance. Older roses that have stood the test of time are also very tough old girls in the best sort of way. That being said, I have an old rose book that talks about how chemicals in the garden actually came from WWI. It was written in the 30s. They advised people not to use them. I guess everything that goes around comes around again. Have fun with your roses and try not to worry over them too much. I lost two shrubs to voles this spring. I just won't plant a rose in that spot again.
I have also planted Provider bean seeds and had issues this year! I forgot about Carol's issues last year. I have planted them twice this year and only a couple came up each time and then didn't grow any taller than two inches, but the other two types of beans I planted right next to them are growing great.
Jamie, sorry to hear you had issues! The seeds I collected last year are doing well. If you'll email me (indygardener at gmail dot com) and tell me where you bought your seeds and it turns out to be the same seed source as I used, I will email them to let them know. Thanks.