I picked up a copy of the newly-published “New Hampshire Gardener’s Companion” last week at our local bookstore, The Country Bookseller.  I’d heard about the book a few months ago and have been looking forward to reading it.  It’s part of a series of state-specific gardening books written with the climate, soil and general conditions in mind.  When I first opened it I picked up a tip that was new to me; if you rent a rototiller, always wash the blades to make sure you’re not bringing someone else’s weeds and plant diseases into your garden.  It makes perfect sense, but I had never considered it before.  With that bit of knowledge now registering in my mind I felt I had made a good purchase.  I’ve since read the rest of the book and picked up a few other tips, as well as improved my general knowledge on gardening.  It’s designed for the beginner and the author does a good job in not talking over their heads.  That being said, my guess is that even the seasoned gardener would get something out of reading it.

My main reason for getting a copy was to learn more about the soils of New Hampshire, and the book didn’t disappoint me.  It has an entire section devoted to soil conditions of the state.

I’m planning on building some new raised beds next year and this book has given me some great ideas for them.