Trowel and Error: Over 700 Tips, Remedies and Shortcuts for the Gardener

Cure plant viruses with spoiled milk. Steep a natural and effective insecticide out of fresh basil. Place flat stones under squash or melons to hasten ripening. Recycle an old apple corer as the perfect dibber for muscari and other small bulbs. Start rosemary cuttings in a green glass bottle. Sprinkle baby powder over seedlings to discourage rabbits. Crush a garlic clove and apply it to your skin as an insect repellent. From urging the reader to take an occasional shower with the houseplants to giving all-natural gardenside first aid, TROWEL AND ERROR is a direct line to the kind of practical wisdom that comes only after a lifetime of experience. The book is indexed by problem, plant, pest, and solution, and includes a list of tools and common household items-borax, cornmeal, vinegar-that completes the gardener's arsenal.

This is the type of book that if you adopt just one or two of the over-700 ideas, your money would be well spent. You will benefit not only from the author's years of professional experience, but also from the trial (trowl) and error in her own garden.

The art and design of this book is fabulous, and is presented in easy bytes.

I love this book and highly recommend it to any gardener -- from beginner to expert.

pjpublications.com


Trowel and Error: Over 700 Tips, Remedies and Shortcuts for   April 4, 2003
36 out of 38 found this review helpful

A fantastically informative and humourous book. Hundreds of organic ways to keep your garden free of pests and preditors plus much, much more. I have all of Sharon's books. They are by far my favorite of the dozens of gardening books I own. I had better purchase a second book for my garden library because I know I will wear this book out.
A note to Sharon Lovejoy - KEEP WRITING !!!
Barbara Cusick, Certified Advanced Master Gardener.


You will come back time after time to this book!   June 28, 2004
K. Fritz (Long Island, NY)
27 out of 28 found this review helpful

It's a little book, but it is PACKED with great information. Especially if you are trying to stay pesticide free - this is a great resource for you. I have two small children who can help garden with this book, all her suggestions are pet and child friendly!

Great ideas for things you probably already have around the house that will improve your garden. I have only had it a little while, but have already used a bunch of recommendations SUCCESSFULLY!

Funny to read, delightful illustrations, accurate information and wonderful tips and tricks. Buy it. You won't regret it!


WOW   July 10, 2003
T. Lamm (Fl United States)
19 out of 21 found this review helpful

I'm only a few pages into this book and I had to stop to enter this review. BUY IT!!!! You'll be glad you did. It is so cute and full of great information. This book has already earned a permanent spot in my gardening book collection.


A Great Gift book--for yourself or another gardener!   June 4, 2006
Susanne Koenig (Memphis, TN)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

I first checked this book out at the library before I bought it. I don't have a lot of spare cash and quite honestly, I don't have a lot of space, either.

This book was worth the cost in both space and money! First of all, even if it wasn't jammed packed with really useful information for a gardener of any skill level, I would like it for the illustrations--it's just charming. Also, the advice is broken up in little tid-bits that make it easy to read--pick it up, and put it back down again with ease.

There's many useful ideas in here, my favorite being the compost-pile pumpkin trick (grow a prize-winning pumpkin--make it a compost heap and plant it on top) and the tobasco pepper bug spray. (Doesn't work on Cajun bugs--just kidding).

You won't regret getting this little book whether you garden a little or a lot. Ms. Lovejoy has packed it with such charming ideas and useful information that you'll want to buy a copy for your gardening friends as well! It makes a great little gift.