Perry's Perennial Pages

Perennial Publications--Pests, Problems

Weeds, Friend or Foe? (more in-depth review)
Sally Roth.  2002.  Reader's Digest.  hardcover, 176pp.
Columnist, contributing editor to magazines, and author, Sally Roth covers all aspects of weeds in this book, both the good and the bad, controlling and using them.  The first section has chapters on what weeds are and where they come from.  Next is the largest part of the book-- a directory of over 70 weeds.  For each weed is given a description, photo, advantages or uses ("friend") and disadvantages or controls ("foe").  The third section covers "friend" topics in more detail-- how to use and landscape with weeds, keeping them in control and aesthetic.  Finally the last section covers the "foe" topics in depth-- the controls.  If you garden, you more than likely have to deal with weeds at some point.  This book will help you have more insight into why the weeds are there, how they might even be useful, and how to control them successfully and sustainably.

Pests and Diseases
Pippa Greenwood.  2000.  DK. hardcover 218pp.
The author, known through other writing and media, is assisted by three experts on these topics.  Although not the last word on all the problems on all the plants, it covers the main plants and problems through several means.  The first section is a photographic gallery of symptoms, by plant part.  These are then referenced to text describing the pest or disease--its symptoms, cause, and non-chemical controls.  One can also consult the listing of plants in the back, to discover their main problems and then read about each. This book of the American Horticultural Society would make a useful addition to any gardener's reference library.

The Gardener's Guide to Common-Sense Pest Control
Olkowski, W., S. Daar and H. Oklowski. 1995. Taunton Press. Inexpensive, softbound book with good descriptions of pests and problems, causes, and non-chemical controls.