There are several garden "problem solver" books on the market, but this new one from Southern Living Magazine senior writer Steve Bender is the best I've seen for gardeners in USDA hardiness zones 6-11. There's an alphabetical (by common name) encyclopedia of more than 150 popular ornamental and edible plants that includes color illustrations of common problems and solutions for their control. There's a 44-page section on weeds that includes excellent color photographs of almost a hundred different nuisance plants, along with descriptions and methods of prevention and control. The Plant Disease and Ailments section includes color photographs of more than a hundred sick-looking flowers, trees, shrubs and vegetables. The text accompanying each grizzly picture lists the plants affected, the symptoms, prevention and control. The Bugs and Other Critters section is similar: more than 80 pests illustrated with color photographs, along with the plants affected, the damage inflicted, the life cycle of the critter, and how to prevent and control the problem. Cultural, biological, organic and chemical control methods are provided, and there's a section on safe and proper methods to get the most out of chemical control. A very useful table of synthetic pesticides gives the product name, chemical name, use in the garden, and cautionary details. Southern Living Garden Problem Solver is an indispensable reference, jam-packed with information to help beginning and expert gardeners keep their plants healthy and beautiful.
