Amazon.com (ISBN 0028603788, Hardcover)

W. Atlee Burpee & Co., supplier of flower and vegetable seeds for more than 120 years, now provides a comprehensive guide to gardening with Burpee Complete Gardener. The book gives a wide range of information, covering such topics as starting and designing a garden; dealing with climate, soil, lighting, mulching, fertilizing, and watering; making compost; and controlling weeds. The best part, though, is the more than 420 descriptions (most with color photographs) of annuals, perennials, bulbs, roses, vegetables, herbs, ground covers, and vines. There are also excellent sections on the proper tools and equipment, controlling pest and disease problems, and the questions most asked by gardeners (divided into categories for easy reference), as well as a season-by-season guide to garden maintenance. Along with the photographs, the book includes many instructional drawings along with neat pictures of Burpee catalogs and seed packets dating from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The latter provide a touch of personality and charm that, unfortunately, the book otherwise lacks. That minor complaint aside, Burpee Complete Gardener is a solid work that offers handy information for all, but especially beginning, gardeners. --Andy Boynton