| Introduction | p. 9 |
| Starting Out | p. 13 |
| Know Your Hardiness Zone | p. 13 |
| Sun or Shade? It's Crucial Informationt | p. 18 |
| How Much Siinhght Do Plants Need? | p. 20 |
| What to Do about Dry Shade | p. 21 |
| Why Some Plants Won't Grow under a Black Walnut Tree | p. 24 |
| Buying Plants | p. 27 |
| How to Shop at a Garden Center | p. 27 |
| What Kind of Plant to Buy: Annual or Perennial? | p. 30 |
| The Different Types of Bulbs | p. 31 |
| Buying by Mail Order | p. 34 |
| Be Wary of These Invasive Plants | p. 36 |
| Soil Basics | p. 41 |
| How to Tell What Kind of Soil You Have | p. 42 |
| Understanding Soil pH | p. 43 |
| Ways to Improve Soil | p. 44 |
| What Fertilizers Can and Can't Do | p. 49 |
| Which Is Best: Organic or Chemical? | p. 53 |
| Some Plants That Benefit from Chemical Fertilizers | p. 54 |
| Tips about Some Popular Plant Care Products | p. 55 |
| The Magic of Manure Tea | p. 57 |
| Planting | p. 59 |
| Where to Plant | p. 59 |
| When to Do It | p. 61 |
| If Jack Frost Makes a Return Visit | p. 62 |
| How to Plant Most Things | p. 64 |
| Important Planting Tips | p. 65 |
| Planting under Trees | p. 67 |
| The Problem of Wind | p. 68 |
| Different Bulbs Need Different Treatment | p. 69 |
| Planting in Containers | p. 72 |
| Planting Roses in Cold Climates | p. 74 |
| The Marvel of Mulch | p. 75 |
| Ongoing Plant Care | p. 81 |
| Take a Tour of Your Garden | p. 81 |
| The Touchy Issue of Watering | p. 83 |
| Weeding: The Inescapable Task | p. 85 |
| Getting Rid of Weeds | p. 87 |
| Deadheading | p. 92 |
| Shearing | p. 94 |
| Staking | p. 96 |
| Pinching | p. 99 |
| Thinning | p. 100 |
| Dividing Plants That Have Grown Too Big | p. 100 |
| Volunteers: A Mixed Blessing in Many Gardens | p. 103 |
| What to Do When Winter Comes | p. 106 |
| When Spring Rolls around Again | p. 110 |
| When Roses Won't Produce Flowers | p. 110 |
| Protecting Plants from Problems | p. 113 |
| How to Cultivate Good Gardening Habits | p. 113 |
| What IPM Means and How It Affects You | p. 116 |
| Beneficial Bugs in the Garden | p. 117 |
| Does Companion Planting Work? | p. 119 |
| The Different Kinds of Pesticides Sold at Garden Centers | p. 121 |
| Chemical Pesticides: Know What You're Using | p. 123 |
| Organic Pesticides Can Be Toxic Too | p. 126 |
| Common Garden Pests and How to Combat Them | p. 134 |
| The Four Kinds of Plant Diseases | p. 149 |
| Common Diseases That Affect Plants | p. 151 |
| Ways to Keep Critters Away | p. 156 |
| Acknowledgments | p. 162 |
| Photo Credits | p. 162 |
| Bibliography | p. 163 |
| Index | p. 165 |
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