Plant Science for Gardeners

Robert Pavlis has been an avid gardener for over four decades. He is the owner and developer of Aspen Grove Gardens, a 6-acre botanical garden that features over 3,000 varieties of plants. Specializing in soil science, he has been an instructor for Landscape Ontario and is a garden blogger, writer, and chemist. The author of Building Natural Ponds and Soil Science for Gardeners, Pavlis is a well-known speaker whose audiences include Master Gardener groups, horticultural societies, orchid societies, and garden shows such as Canada Blooms and the FarmSmart conference. He teaches gardening fundamentals at the University of Guelph and garden design for the City of Guelph, Canada, where he currently resides.

"Robert Pavlis hit the nail on the head: know the science and you can grow anything. Plant Science for Gardeners, Pavlis' latest, is a sure (and enjoyable) way to learn that science. Mind you, Pavlis is not just a gardener who knows his science, he is a great science writer who does a fabulous job of making science fun. I am quite sure you are one read away from being a much better gardener." — Jeff Lowenfels, author, DIY Autoflowering Cannabis and Teaming with Microbes "A work of genuine importance by an author for whom the phrase "received wisdom" is a contradiction in terms. You will never take horticultural lore at face value again."— James Armitage, editor, The Plant Review, magazine of the Royal Horticultural Society"Knowing just how plants work is an interesting and useful way to ratchet up your gardening game and Robert Pavlis has provided that story in his engaging new book Plant Science for Gardeners. Read it and your garden will blossom, literally and figuratively." — Lee Reich, author, Growing Figs in Cold Climates and The Ever Curious Gardener "Robert Pavlis has provided another detailed, yet accessible, addition to gardeners' home libraries. Be sure to give Plant Science for Gardeners an honored place on your bookshelves, next to Mr. Pavlis' groundbreaking Garden Myths series." — Rebecca Martin, technical editor, Mother Earth News magazine"Plant Science for Gardeners is at once easy to read and comprehensive in presentation. Robert Pavlis has updated and made accessible information that in the past I have gleaned here and there from old textbooks and the odd gardening book. It's a great reference and a fascinating read. This book will be the next gift I buy for my budding botanist granddaughter!"— Darrell Frey, author, The Bioshelter Market Garden, co-author, The Food Forest Handbook "Whether you grow plants for fun or for profit, Plant Science for Gardeners does a great job of explaining how plants work without overcomplicating it. This is an excellent book not only for the basics, but also to explain some of the lesser known aspects of plants. Whether you've taken plant biology and physiology or not, it is a good read for anyone who's interested in plants, and to keep on the shelf as a reference for when you forget the difference between a node and internode. Get this book to understand what to do to keep your plants healthy and why."— Andrew Mefferd, editor and publisher, Growing for Market magazine, author, The Organic No-Till Farming Revolution

• Introduction Introduction to Plant Science Organization of the Book Terms Used in This Book1. Plant Basics Cells Xylem and Phloem Photosynthesis Plant Myth: Plants Raise the Oxygen Level in Homes ATP and the Energy Cycle Respiration Meristematic Cells Classification of Plants2. Roots Root Basics Types of Roots Plant Myth: Feeder Roots Are Located Under the Dripline Effect of Gravity Cut Roots and Side Roots Plant Myth: Circulating Roots Continue to Circulate Conditions That Affect Root Growth Plant Myth: Transplant Solutions Grow Better Roots Root Growth in Winter Absorption of Water and Nutrients Plant Myth: Is Soil pH Important? Roots and Microbes Plant Myth: Purchased Mycorrhizal Fungi Are Good for Plants Plant Myth: Roots Grow Towards Water The Rhizosphere3. Stems The Outer Structure of Stems Internal Structure of Stems Trichomes Buds How Stems Grow The Importance of Photosynthesis Underground Stems Plant Myth: Plant Bulbs after the Ground Is Frozen Plant Myth: Bearded Iris Should Be Planted with Rhizome Showing4. Leaves Leaf Structure How Sun Affects Leaves Why Are Some Leaves Red? Plant Myth: Evergreen Needles and Oak Leaves Are Acidic Functionality of Damaged Leaves Natural Pesticides Signaling Between Plants Pest-Proof Leaves Water Stress and Wilting Leaves Leaf Abscission Variegated Leaves5. Flowers Parts of a Flower Pollination What Causes Flowering? Why Do Plants Not Flower? Plant Myth: High Phosphate Grows More Blooms Tough Love for Plants Attracting Pollinators Enjoy the Bracts Dioecious and Monoecious Plants6. Fruits and Seeds What Is a Fruit? The Importance of Fruit Different Types of Fruits Fruit Development Seed Development Suckering Tomato Plants Seeds from Non-Flowering Plants Soil Seed Bank7. The Whole PlantLife Cycle of Plants Plant Dormancy Movement of Water Movement of Nutrients Plant Myth: Leaves Can Be Used to ID Nutrient Deficiencies Movement of Sugars Seasonal Sharing of Resources Overcoming Physical Damage How Do Plants Get Taller? Following the Sun How Light Affects Plant Growth Gravity8. Woody Plants What Are Woody Plants? Structure of Woody Stems Where Does Wood Come From? Plant Myth: Newly Planted Trees Need to Be Staked Storage of Sugars Taproots vs. Fibrous Roots Composition of Wood Apical Dominance Healing Damage Plant Myth: Damage on Trees Should Be Painted Conifers9. Environmental Factors Garden Hardiness Zones Dealing with Cold Protecting Plants from ColdDealing with Heat Dealing with Water Extremes Adaptability of Plants How Climate Change Affects Gardens10. Growing from Seeds When Is Seed Mature? The Seed Germination Process The Mysterious Cotyledons Why Do Seeds Stay Dormant? Breaking Dormancy Plant Myth: Seeds Can Have Double Dormancy Seed Storage Best Method for Starting Seeds Indoors11. Selecting Seeds Basic Genetics Hybrids vs. Heirlooms GMO Seeds Days to Maturity Buying Unusual Seeds12. Vegetative Reproduction Natural Vegetative Reproduction Rooted Stems and Leaves Artificial Vegetative Reproduction Plant Myth: Homemade Rooting Hormones Work Well Grafting13. Plant Names Why Use Botanical Names? Naming Conventions The Proper Way to Name Your PlantsIndex About the Author Connect with Robert Pavlis About New Society Publishers