Greenhouse Gardener’s Companion by Shane Smith
The cover image of “Greenhouse Gardener’s Companion” embraces the onlooker with a hearth-like image of growing splendor. It suggests a world where fruits and flowers grow with uninhibited freedom, away from the shackles of the moody climate that lurks just beyond the door.
The book’s author, Shane Smith, is the guru of the greenhouse and is also the founder and director of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Furthermore, Smith’s ability doesn’t just reside with being the plant whisperer; he also has a knack for writing. He creates a witty style that shows the intricate world of the greenhouse without being overly technical.
Still, detail is of the upmost importance in “Greenhouse Gardener’s Companion” and even Martha Stewart would be hard pressed to find any gaps. Chapters include “Interior Design”, “Greenhouse Seasons and Microclimates”, “Scheduling”, and an over 140 page chapter on “A Closer Look at Plants”. There’s even a chart for planting, growing, and harvest schedule, which is broken into warm-greenhouse vegetable schedule and cool-greenhouse vegetable schedule.
Looking to make your greenhouse fossil fuel free? No problem. Smith details both solar and passive solar styles. Aching to try indoor carnivorous plants? Venus Fly Traps even get some ink for growing inside.
Greenhouse owners of every ilk (from hoophouse hobbyists to stadium-sized professionals) will find relevance in Smith’s book. However, owning a greenhouse is not a prerequisite. The plant and propagation info alone warrants having this guide on the shelf. Of course, the privilege of owning both structure and scrit would be ideal, but if the wallet is making echoes, go for the cheap and gain a wealth of knowledge with the “Greenhouse Gardener’s Companion”.
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