

Extension Gardener Handbook
Lead Author(s): Lucy Bradley and Kathleen Moore, Editors
Student Price: Contact us to learn more
This national award winning book was developed especially for Master Gardener Volunteers and can also be used by botanical gardens, community colleges, home schools, high schools, home gardeners and more. It is a primary source for research-based information on gardening and landscaping. A fundamental reference for any seasoned gardener the Extension Gardener Handbook is also valuable to beginners just getting their hands dirty. It explains the "why and how" basics of gardening from soils and composting to vegetable gardening and wildlife management. Information on garden design, preparation and maintenance covers all types of plantings including lawns, ornamentals, fruits, trees, and containers. This handbook provides color images, detailed graphics, diagnostic tables, case studies, frequently asked questions and specific management strategies for insects, diseases, weeds and other pests. It includes a roll over glossary with quick definitions while you are reading. Botanical names are linked to a plant database with audio pronunciation of the name, images, and descriptions. It contains integrated check your knowledge questions and videos as well as creative commons licensed images. Written by a team of horticultural experts, it contains a wealth of information to support you in creating and managing thriving gardens, lawns, and landscapes. The Extension Gardener Handbook is an essential book for serious gardeners. Instructor resources include reader's guides, homework, quizzes, and exams as well as slide presentations and interactive activities. Instructors can edit the entire book to meet their local climate, soils and plants.
Extension Gardener
Handbook
November, 2020
Published by
NC State Extension
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
NC State University
Recommendations for the use of agricultural chemicals are included in this publication as a convenience to the reader. The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services in this publication does not imply endorsement by NC State University nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. Individuals who use agricultural chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Be sure to obtain current information about usage regulations and examine a current product label before applying any chemical. For assistance, contact your county North Carolina Cooperative Extension agent.
NC State University and N.C. A&T State University are collectively committed to positive action to secure equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation and veteran status. NC State, N.C. A&T, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
Editors
Lucy K. Bradley, Professor and Extension Specialist, Consumer and Community Horticulture; Director, NC State Extension Master Gardener program; NC State University
Kathleen Moore, Urban Horticulturist, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University
Authors
Matt Bertone, Extension Associate, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Frank A. Blazich, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Horticultural Science
Toby Bost, Horticulturist, Author
Lucy K. Bradley, Professor and Extension Specialist, Consumer and Community Horticulture; Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University
Mary Jac Brennan, Extension Agent, Forsyth County
Wayne Buhler, Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Horticultural Science
Hannah Burrack, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Bill Cline, Researcher and Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Aimee Colf, Extension Agent, Anson County
David Crouse, Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
Christopher DePerno, Professor, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources; Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
Barbara Fair, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Horticultural Science
Gina Fernandez, Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Horticultural Science
Steven Frank, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Charlotte Glen, Extension Agent, Chatham County
David Goforth, Extension Agent, Cabarrus County
Christopher Gunter, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Horticultural Science
Susan Jakes, Associate State Program Leader CRD, Extension Assistant Professor ANR/CRD
Mark Kistler, Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences
Cyndi Lauderdale, Extension Agent, Wilson County
Anthony V. LeBude, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Horticultural Science
Frank Louws, Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Diane B. Mays, Department of Horticultural Science
Grady Miller, Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
Kathleen Moore, Urban Horticulturist, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University
Christopher Moorman, Professor and Coordinator of the Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Program
Michael Munster, Diagnostician, NC State University Plant Disease and Insect Clinic
Joe Neal, Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Horticultural Science
David Orr, Associate Professor, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Michael L. Parker, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Horticultural Science
Abbey Piner, Urban Horticulturist, Department of Horticultural Science
Kim Richter, Department of Horticultural Science
Julie Sherk, Assistant Professor, Department of Horticultural Science
Rhonda Sherman, Extension Solid Waste Specialist, Department of Horticultural Science
Anne Spafford, M.L.A., Associate Professor, Department of Horticultural Science and Adjunct Faculty Member, Department of Landscape Architecture, NC State University
Sara Spayd, Extension Specialist, Department of Horticultural Science
Michelle Wallace, Extension Agent, Durham County
© 2020 North Carolina State University
All rights reserved. For more information, contact the NC State Copyright & Digital Scholarship Center: www.lib.ncsu.edu/cdsc/contact
Portions of this publication are based in part on sections of the 2018 North Carolina Extension Gardener Handbook and the 1998 Extension Master Gardener Manual prepared by Erv Evans, Extension Associate, Department of Horticultural Science; Peter Bromley, Extension Specialist, Department of Zoology; Stephen Bambara, Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology; James R. Baker, Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology; Ken Sorensen, Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology; L. T. Lucas, Extension Specialist, Department of Plant Pathology; Mike Linker, IPM Coordinator, Department of Crop Science; Steve Toth, Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology; Frank A. Blazich, Professor, Department of Horticulture Science; E. Barclay Poling, Extension Specialist, Department of Horticultural Science; James R. Ballington, Professor, Department of Horticultural Science; Larry Bass, Extension Specialist, Department of Horticultural Science; Doug Saunders, Extension Specialist, Department of Horticultural Science; Jeanine Davis, Extension Specialist, Department of Horticultural Science; Frank Louws, Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology; and M.A. Powell, Extension Specialist, Department of Horticultural Science.