OSU alumni author new gardening books

Two distinguished writers have authored new books that deliver practical advice and guidance to gardeners with limited space and to gardeners across Ohio. Whether you are creating a new outdoor space or starting a garden in Ohio, Horticulture & Crop Science alumni Melinda Myers and Debra Knapke have each authored a new guide that helps gardeners select the best varieties and designs for their garden needs.

“Small Space Gardening” is a new reference authored by popular garden expert and OSU alum Melinda Myers (BS 1979, MS 1986 Horticulture). A small space gardener for her whole adult life, Myers shares what she has learned about the challenges of gardening with limited space. "As a gardener there is never enough room for all the plants you want to grow - then limit the space and you have a bigger challenge. I tried to walk readers through the process of planning, planting and caring for their outdoor living space," explained Myers, a horticultural instructor at Milwaukee Area Technical College.

Debra Knapke's (MS 1996 Horticulture) “Best Garden Plants for Ohio” guide profiles 360 plants, with sections on annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs, roses, vines, bulbs, herbs and ornamental grasses, ferns and other foliage plants. Co-authored with garden writer Alison Beck, this new book also provides good, common sense planting and growing advice for producing a beautiful, functional landscape. This is the fourth book in popular gardening series for Ohio published by Lone Pine Publishing.

"We wrote ‘Best Garden Plants for Ohio’ for anyone who needs a place to start with choosing plants for a garden or is thinking of adding to an already existing garden and just needs some ideas to get the creative thoughts going," explained Knapke, a horticulture instructor at Columbus State Community College. "Lone Pine's plant and garden guides are practical and accessible; that appeals to me. The book is set up in plant categories, and these categories help define what is needed or might be missing in the garden. It is easy to become focused on perennials or annuals and forget that a garden should be layered: from tall, medium and small trees and shrubs down to herbaceous plants."

"As the trend toward downsizing lots and creating small outdoor living areas within large landscapes emerged, I thought it was time to share what I have learned," said Myers, a certified arborist. "Homeowners are looking for ways to create small intimate gardens or entertainment areas within their large lots. These small spaces required the same planning and planting techniques as those with limited space. ‘Small Space Gardening’ provides advice for layering and growing vertically, using containers as accents, growing gardens and landscapes in limited space, and emphasizing lighting and water features for small spaces."

When she's not gardening, Melinda Myers shares her expertise through a numerous media outlets. She has hosted the "Plant Doctor Radio Show" on WTMJ since 1982 and also hosts "Great Lakes Gardener" television program. Myers has authored several gardening books including: “The Birds and Blooms Ultimate Garden Guide,” “The Garden Book for Wisconsin,” “My Wisconsin Garden: A Gardener's Journal,” “Month by Month Gardening in Wisconsin,” “Minnesota Horticultural Society's Minnesota Gardener's Guide,” “Month-by-Month Gardening in Minnesota,” and “The Perfect Lawn” Midwest series.

In “Best Garden Plants for Ohio,” Knapke, a garden design consultant known as 'The Garden Sage,' and Beck, a veteran garden writer, provide important information about the regions, climates and growing seasons that make gardening in the Buckeye State unique and challenging. The full-color reference includes expert tips and recommended species, along with information about height, spread, hardiness, flower color and notable features. Knapke hopes this guide will help readers enjoy the creative process of putting together a garden and leaves us with sage encouragement, "Gardening is a creative process that allows us to express ourselves."

Story and photos by Victor van Buchem. Published courtesy Ohio State University.

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