GARDENING BOOKS BY CLAIRE ★ REVIEWS BY READERS)

This is the most informative guide to California gardening I have ever used. Although I have been a gardener in California for 40 years, I still wonder when is the best time to plant, prune and maintain all the different plants in my garden. 

I have often been fearful about pruning anything before the frost is over, but this book makes it clear that many trees and shrubs can be pruned in the winter and early spring, making my annual maintenance cycle more manageable. 

 The author provides 240 pages of month-by-month, solid advice about when to do what in the garden.

 This book is a great investment!

~ Kris Abramson

I'm not usually a sucker for tag lines, but I'll admit to buying this bargain-priced guide solely on the basis of six words on the cover: Growing Delicious Tomatoes In Cooler Climates.

For why I have always loved tomatoes, I've never quite loved MY tomatoes. Despite all my nurturing, pH soil readings, midnight waterings and Moody Blues sing-a-longs (tomato plants love the Moody Blues), my heirloom and cherry tomatoes, while always juicy and succulent, never blew anyone away with their taste.

Not only did Claire make me realize that my zealous devotion to watering these thirsty beasts was overkill in my fog-shrouded region of Northern California, but that my sister was over-compensating for a perceived lack of sunlight in her Ohio tomato garden.

One year on, I'm growing delicious tomatoes that stand up to farmer's market standards! Thanks, Claire!

~ Brian O'Reilly

 CLAIRE SAYS:

This is an indispensable guide to gardening in the western states that I refer to often, especially when I’m planning a new planting area.

 I love a good mini chainsaw! This handheld, 6-inch power saw with lots of extra goodies makes pruning so much easier, cutting cleanly and quickly through branches up to 6 inches in diameter. 

 If you have smaller hands, these are the pruning shears to buy. They’re strong and durable and make quick work of cutting through branches up to 3/4 inch in diameter.