Released Nov. 13, 2007
BOZEMAN, Mont.--A new book is aimed at helping Montana gardeners cope with the state's difficult growing conditions.
"The Montana Gardener's Companion: An Insider's Guide to Gardening Under the Big Sky" was written by two Montana State University faculty, Bob Gough, professor of horticulture and associate dean for the College of Agriculture, and Cheryl Moore-Gough, MSU Extension horticulture specialist.
"Basically, our book is a guide on how to cope with Montana's severe growing conditions and special limitations," said Moore-Gough.
The 224-page "Montana Gardener's Companion" explains how to identify and address common shortcomings of Montana soils, including alkaline soils, which are the most common soil in the state; acidic soils sometimes found in the mountains and near Great Falls, and salty soils found especially in eastern Montana and in areas west and northwest of Great Falls. It explains how Montana gardeners effectively can lengthen their growing seasons, how to improve their soils and how to combat pests and plant diseases common to the area. It covers all gardening subjects from soils to annuals to vegetables and fruit and includes references, resources and a glossary.
The authors have an extensive horticultural background in Montana. Bob Gough was Extension horticulture specialist for 10 years before becoming associate dean of the College of Agriculture in 2005. During that time he traveled the state and composed hundreds of horticulture columns and radio shows under the heading of "Northern Gardening Tips." Moore-Gough is now Extension horticulture specialist and continues those columns and radio shows in addition to traveling extensively to give workshops.
In 2005, the authors released "Best Garden Plants for Montana," which described plant materials suitable for Montana, whereas the new book is "more of an instruction manual," said Bob Gough. "The first book was the dessert, but this one is no-nonsense - the meat and potatoes for Montana gardeners."
"We really needed a guidebook for Montana gardeners," said Moore-Gough. "Even recommendations targeted to the Rocky Mountains don't pertain to much of our state."
The "Montana Gardener's Companion" costs $14.95 and is available in Montana bookstores and on the web. It is also available from MSU Extension.
Gough and Moore-Gough will be available for book signings and to answer gardening questions throughout the state. Events are scheduled at:
- Missoula at the Fact and Fiction bookstore Sunday Nov. 25 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.,
- Bozeman at Barnes and Noble bookstore Saturday Dec. 1 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and at the MSU bookstore Tuesday Dec. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
- Great Falls' at Barnes and Noble bookstore Saturday Dec. 8 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.,
- Billings at Borders bookstore Sunday Dec. 16 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=5349
Contact: Cheryl Moore-Gough, (406) 994-6523 or hort@montana.edu
