A Gardeners Guide to Botany, Scott Zona
A Gardeners Guide to Botany, Scott Zona
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A Gardener's Guide to Botany
The biology behind the plants you love, how they grow, and what they need

Author: Scott Zona

Narrator: Scott Zona

Unabridged: 6 hr 50 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/28/2023


Synopsis

Ever wonder if plants sleep or why their leaves are shaped a certain way? The inner workings of the plants you love are revealed and celebrated in this guide by botany expert Dr. Scott Zona.

A Gardener’s Guide to Botany is not just another book on how to grow plants. Instead, it’s a botanical journey into what makes plants tick, delivered in layman’s terms that are easily understood and appreciated by both advanced gardeners and first-timers. It’s the chlorophyll-infused science behind the plants you know and love, whether you grow them indoors or out.

You’ll learn how different plant parts function (do you know what stomata are and why every leaf has hundreds of them?), the traits that separate plants from animals, and how through eons of evolution the plants we grow in our gardens and homes have developed a million different fascinating adaptations that allow them to survive and thrive. From their leaf shape and growth habit to how they have sex and metabolize the nutrients they absorb, A Gardener’s Guide to Botany covers it all in an accessible and thought-provoking way.

Divided into chapters based on what plants need to survive, some of the topics you’ll discover include: How plants convert water, air, and sunshine into roots, stems, leaves, and flowers through photosynthesis How plants react to their environment and  “know” when it’s right for supporting growth and reproduction How light can inhibit or facilitate chemical reactions in a plant  How plants access and use water and different nutrients, including through lifelong partnerships with other living organisms  How plants reproduce in some pretty ingenious ways, both with and without sex How plant genes are dispersed via seeds spread by wind, water, animals, or by the mechanics of the plant or the seed itself
Up your #plantnerd status by going on a knowledge expedition to learn about all things botanical, including the enlightening science of plant communication, hormones, insect relationships, and even plant sleep. Plus, learn the many varied ways plants protect themselves, from growing spines and producing toxic leaf compounds to emitting volatile chemicals that serve as messages to insect predators or warning signals to neighboring plants. Through fascinating and relatable text, get to know your plant family like you never have before!

Whether you grow houseplants on a windowsill, vegetables in raised beds, or shrubs and perennials along your front walk, A Gardener’s Guide to Botany takes you on a beautiful adventure into the amazing kingdom of plants.

Reviews

Goodreads review by David on July 07, 2023

I think this is a terrific book for the right audience. For me something less technical would be better. Over the past several years my wife and I have removed sections of lawn and replaced them with a variety of plants to aid pollinators and bring visual interest. We've studied the proper locations......more

Goodreads review by Pluto_reads on February 09, 2023

I would like to thank Quarto Publishing Group - Cool Springs Press and NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for writing an honest review! I will be honest, I haven't read the whole book for various reasons; I have skimmed and read some parts. The top reason is that I prefer having a physica......more

Goodreads review by Elle (IG: piccolos_teacups_and_books) on October 27, 2023

A Gardener's Guide to Botany is a wonderful introduction to plant life! I am new to caring for plants (indoors mainly) and I have definitely learned a lot from this book. It really goes in-depth to help one understand all there is to know about plants. This book is definitely one I would buy for som......more

Goodreads review by Bernie on December 01, 2022

This beginner’s guide to botany is well conceived and executed. The photographs are beautiful and well chosen to help the reader understand the complexities discussed in the text. The text gets definitionally dense in places, but also presents fascinating ideas in plain English. I learned a lot from......more

Goodreads review by Rama on December 17, 2022

Not a definitive guide This is a basic manual for gardeners interested in knowing about the biology of plants. This book is by no means illuminating, not very technical but offers some peripheral view of plant life. This is written for gardeners and plant enthusiasts with no college courses to their......more


Quotes

 “I taught introductory botany for 43 years. Had A Gardener’s Guide to Botany been available as a textbook, I would have used it every year. Dr. Scott Zona has done a superb job explaining plant biology in a delightful and accurate way. I recommend it without hesitation.”—Prof. Karl J. Niklas, Cornell University

“This is the book I have been waiting for! Dr Zona explains the hows and whys of plant science in a way that everyone can understand, demystifying terms such as polyploidy and angiosperm. This is a must-read for all gardeners who want to expend their understanding of the plants they grow.”—Jane Perrone, creator and host of the On the Ledge podcast

"Gardening is a wonderful hobby that is made all the better by a deeper understanding of the plants we grow. Within these pages, Dr. Scott Zona introduces readers to the inner workings of our botanical companions in a way that is fascinating, easy to understand, and often beautifully illustrated. For those looking to take their gardening hobby to the next level, this book is for you!"—Dr. Matt Candeias, author and host of the "In Defense of Plants" podcast

“As a self- confessed plant geek without any formal training, I have often found gaps in my knowledge of botany. However, I have finally found a straightforward guide to understanding this fascinating world, with simple explanations, clear illustrations, and a delivery that doesn’t assume prior knowledge of the subject! Love it!!!”—Michael Perry, hortpreneur and founder of mrplantgeek.com

A Gardener’s Guide to Botany distils the complex topic of botany down to essential information that a gardener of any level will find immensely useful. Author Scott Zona achieves this without ‘dumbing down’ or oversimplifying the information. Instead, he offers precisely what a gardener needs to know and reminds us that gardening is not merely an art or a craft, but that it is science. This book will make better gardeners out of all of us.”—Matt Mattus, author of Mastering the Art of Vegetable Gardening and Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening