I only have 2, I realy like Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs (it doesn't have skullcap, I don't know why). But it seems to have most others. EVERYTHING is in ABC order, which is weird like 'growing herbs' is under G. But it has good basic info about each herb. I haven't found the 'perfect' book yet.

What do you mean reference? Are you looking for a cultivation reference or a reference on the use of herbs? If it's cultivation... SF has kinda a unique growing conditon.... :o)

Just an aside... For us Californians, the Sunset Gardening Book has to be the bible of growing anything... it will be the most referred to book on gardening you have.

Thanks, JayK. Rodale's looks good! I found this one on Amazon which looks pretty good, too: The Complete Book of Herbs : A Practical Guide to Growing and Using Herbs by Lesley Bremness

Yes, Heathen1, cultivation. I already have a couple of references on usage. The Sunset book is great! I am glad to have a copy, but I think I want to get inspiration from a book on herb gardening, then use the Sunset book for further reference.

I really want to know the conditions in which herbs will thrive. True to San Francisco form, I have two distinct climates in my back garden alone! :) One side is cold and damp, the other warm and dry.

An out-of-print book on growing herbs that I like is "Park's Success with Herbs" by Foster and Louden. Great info on starting herbs from seeds and cuttings. Wonderful photos of seedlings (so you can tell just what is growing).

Hi and welcome to the world of growing and using herbs!
I agree with all of the above selections of books with one addition and that would be: Herb Gardening in Five Seasons by ADelma G. Simmons.....

I also would recommend as I have in the pas, an HERB magazine called: THE HERB COMPANION... it comes out 6 times/year and is extremely informative and goes into depth of whatever herb they feature for that issue along with lovely illustrations, etc. etc. I have no vested interest in this magazine other than I highly recommend it as I have been subscribing for over 10 years now and have never been disappointed by an issue yet!>

Good luck and post frequently on this forum.... there are lots of helpful and knowledgable herb gardeners here who just love to share all their info they've accumulated over the years of growing herbs! Enjoy...

Luvherbz!

That's good advice, guys, thanks!

I put those books on my Amazon wish list and just subscribed to Herb Companion.

Thanks again, and I will report in with my progress and questions!

awesome! Have fun!

Luvherbz!

The best for cultivation I've read is "Growing Your Herb Business" by Bertha Reppert. It's aimed at commercial production, but the discussions on soil, light, tempature and variety selection is enormously helpful to a hobbyist with a medicinal or culinary herb garden.

Here is a link that might be useful: Amazon link

Sorry, PLEASE ignore my last post. WRONG BOOK.

This is the one I was thinking of: "Growing and Selling Fresh-Cut Herbs" by Sandie Shores.

Here is a link that might be useful: REAL Amazon link

The other book I have is The Complete Book of Herbs : A Practical Guide to Growing and Using Herbs by Lesley Bremness. It's a nice book, it has lovely pictures (Rodale's doesn't). I pull it out too and read both. But, it isn't nearly as detailed in culture or most anything as Rodale's. It doesn't even consistently list zones, simply hardy or not which doensn't necessarily help someone in a borderline southern zone. There are also less herbs in it and seems like 1/2 the book is taken up by a using herbs section including recipes and dyes etc, that's nice but I just prefer info on the herbs themselves, I have cookbooks. It is a good book, I just think if I picked only one the Rodale's is better because we have the internet now and can look up what the plant looks like.

BTW, only got them a few months ago, and I ended up buying the Bremness book used even though amazon said it was in stock they didn't send it for 3 weeks and I finally ordered it used through amazon and got it in about 2 weeks.