Garden's Gate

Provides instructions for growing plants in containers, including how to create a flower-filled pot for your balcony and a window box with fruits and vegetables.


Elizabeth Young - Children's Literature
Gardeners who feel left out of the growing season because they don't have enough land to plant are in for a treat when they take a look at this book in the Checkerboard Science Library "Gardening" series. The photograph on the cover is invitation enough to capture an audience of neophytes as well as experienced growers. From the very beginning, choosing a location to fertilizing to fall cleanup, Pupeza methodically describes what is needed to produce a successful patio or container garden. The illustrations and photographs adjacent to the text clearly incorporate directions and expected results to readers, as well as provide attractive explanations and suggestions. Ideas for unique containers are very creative—the wagon wheel example is both practical and fun. This book, along with others in this series, can easily be adapted to a biology/life sciences or elementary classroom assignment, whether it be as art, nutrition or a science unit. Reading the text may be a little challenging for those in grades K-3, but with the help of an instructor, and maybe a vocabulary test of the words in bold typeface, the content will become evident, and a group effort may result in a harvest by the closure of the school year. After reading this book I feel inspired to practice patio gardening, right on my front porch! 2002, ABDO Publishing,