I N P R I N T

Hydroponics for Everyone: A Practical Guide to Gardening in the 21st Century (Hyland House: South Melbourne, rev. ed.1996) claims to have the sure-fire method for even lazy or hapless gardeners. Geared to the reader who is green to hydroponics, or soil-less gardening, this book provides fully illustrated, step-by-step instructions (and friendly “hydrohints”) for growing superior vegetables, herbs and flowers. Authors Dr. Struan Sutherland and Jennifer Sutherland make a good case for hydroponics over conventional gardening: the process uses water and fertilizers more effectively, the plants are less likely to suffer from disease or pests, and, heck, it’s easier. (Leah Shahum)

A R O U N D T H E N E T

COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION GARDEN PUBLICATIONS
Downloadable (Adobe Acrobat PDF format) publications on such topics as composting, landscaping for energy conservation, mulches, plants for low-water landscapes, and retrofitting your yard to reduce water use.

SUSTAINABLE BUILDING SOURCEBOOK
This online handbook, published by the City of Austin, contains a lengthy chapter on xeriscaping as well as sections on other methods of water and energy conservation, waste management/recycling, and materials for sustainable building.

US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY: “Cleaner Water Through Conservation”
Chapter three (“How to Conserve Water and Use It Effectively”) of this online report addresses xeriscaping.

XERISCAPE GARDENING AND DEER RESISTANT PLANTS IN AUSTIN
This University of Texas student project explains “The Seven Principles of Xeriscaping,” and provides a Xeriscaping lexicon, a listing of Xeriscape plants that will “thrive in Austin’s climate” with hints on when and how to grow them, and annotated (& full-color) sketches of existing xeriscape gardens.