Here is a collection of books to teach you about gardening in specific regions of the US. These books will give you insight on the zone your in and how to garden most effectivly for your zone.

Neil Sperry's Complete Guide to Texas Gardening
by Neil Sperry

I have owned this book for several years and it is still the Bible of Texas Landscaping and Gardening. I noticed the last review that was written was several years ago, and wanted to ensure everyone this book is still just as valuable today as it was in 1991 when it was released.

I use it several times a season. In many cases, Neil is more accurate than alot of the nursery's around the DFW/Texas area. At least it gives me a great deal of knowledge prior to going into a nursery to have a clue what they are talking about.

I have used it, and still do to determine what may be wrong with my grass or other vegetation. This book is not only useful in its text and the clear way that Neil Sperry explains things, but he also shows either Black and White or better, COLOR pictures of what he is talking about. I am easily able to compare my issue with those pictures in his book and see EXACTLY what I need to know or do.

If you live in Texas and have a yard (whether it be a Massive yard, or a flower box on the stairwell of your Apartment building), this book is for you!!! -- A Reader from Texas

Howard Garrett's Plants for Texas
by Howard Garrett

To learn all you need to know about gardening in Texas, you could collect a whole shelf full of specialized books on topics ranging from soil preparation to tree care. But all you really need is Howard Garrett's Plants for Texas. In this one book, you'll find a virtual encyclopedia of over 500 Texas plants--trees, shrubs, flowers, vines, grasses, vegetables, fruits, weeds, and cover crops--along with complete, easily understood instructions for planting and maintaining them. Gardening expert Howard Garrett draws on years of landscaping experience to provide "all-you-need-to-know" about each plant: ? Latin and common names ? sun or shade requirements ? mature height, spread, and recommended spacing ? type of bloom and fruit ? how propagated ? habit and culture ? recommended uses ? problems ? tips and notes To help gardeners avoid costly mistakes, Garrett also specifically notes which plants grow very well or very poorly in Texas. In addition to the species descriptions (which are beautifully illustrated with color photos), the book includes reliable, easy-to-follow instructions for planting design, soil preparation, planting techniques, and plant maintenance. Garrett advocates a sensible organic gardening program that works with nature to create healthy yards and gardens. Whether you're a first-time homeowner planting a new yard or a seasoned gardener looking for new ideas and information, Howard Garrett's Plants for Texas is the book you need. Recycle all the others on your gardening shelf, and let this be your one-volume encyclopedia on Texas gardening.

Month-by-month Gardening In Texas
by Dale Groom (Author), Dan Gill (Author)

Do I prune my hydrangea in the fall or do I wait until early spring?
When is it safe to put out tomatoes?
Can I divide iris now?

If you have ever asked yourself questions like these, Month-by-Month Gardening in Texas is for you. Gardening is a journey, not a destination. The day-by-day gardening experiences – planting a few onion sets in the first warm afternoon of spring… the surprises – a purple crocus before the snow has even gone … the satisfaction – fresh green beans on the dinner table, or tomatoes, bright and red, safely in quart jars … these are the things that keep the gardener coming back year after year.

Month-by-Month Gardening in Texas is packed with information that explains what needs to be done and when it needs to be done in the Texas garden. Topics include:

* The most effective planting techniques.
* How and when to prune.
* The best season for fertilizing your lawn.
* The differences between bare-root, container, and balled-and-burlapped plants.
* Eleven plant categories, including Annuals, Bulbs, Herbs, Vegetables, Houseplants, Lawns, Perennials, Roses, Shrubs, and Trees.
* Twelve monthly calendars for each plant category – 132 calendars in all! – that make is easy to find the proper gardening advice.

Whatever your gardening interests or the time of year, you can take the guesswork and mystery out of gardening. You will become a more satisfied gardener … and your garden will show it!

Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region
by Sally Wasowski, Andy Wasowski

A solid reference work for gardeners throughout the south, Dallas-based landscaper Wasowski's second book offers more extensive coverage than her first ( Landscaping with Native Texas Plants ) of detailed landscape plans for regions from East Texas to El Paso and north to the Panhandle. Included are thorough climatic and soil type information, as well as an authoritative plant material list for Southern native plants. Though Wasowski includes common trees, shrubs and vines, she has dug deeper to compile a rich assortment of native ground covers, grasses, annuals and plants that will grow in water or bog gardens. And while the author's accessible prose primarily addresses the needs of Texas homeowners, her guide should also prove useful to professional out-of-state landscapers planning Texas sites.

1001 Most Asked Texas Gardening Questions
by Neil Sperry

Among the questions answered include, why don't my tomatoes set fruit? What is a fast-growing shade tree? How much do I cut off my roses? What plants are most commonly started from cuttings?

Western Garden Book
by Kathleen Norris Brenzel (Editor), Sunset Publishing

Describes several thousand plants that can be grown in twenty-four specific climates, from Idaho, Utah, and Arizona to the Pacific beaches, and tells how to care for them.

Sunset has been the recognized authority among western gardeners for more than 100 years! Our completely revised edition of the popular Western Garden Book includes more than 2,000 new plant entries, all new four-color plant illustrations, improved climate zone information for the Western states and new maps for Alaska, Hawaii, and southwest Canada. The book is brimming with full-color photos and practical tips for successful Western gardening from Sunset gardening editors. This title also features information on the latest gardening tools and gear.

The Southern Living Garden Book
by Steve Bender (Editor), Oxmoor House

When it first hit the shelves in 1998, it took the South by storm. After all, it was the first major, comprehensive gardening encyclopedia solely dedicated to the South. Now there’s a new reason to celebrate. The 2004 edition is bigger, brighter, and bolder than ever, with more luscious photography, updated plant listings, and a special focus on native and heritage plants. Find the right plant for every place with Plant Selection Guides and 7,000 plant listings keyed to the Southern Living climate maps. With hundreds of practical hints and tips—plus some garden gospel from Southern Living’s resident experts—this is the single most authoritative source for gardening in the South.

-New American Horticultural Society Heat Zone Map and plant ratings

-2,000 new plant entries

-More than 1,200 all-new, full-color plant illustrations

-More than 1,300 color photographs

-New Practical Guide to Gardening,

-70-page section of tips and techniques