The New Seed-Starter's Handbook

I have been a Master Gardener since 2004 and still consider this my go to reference book on seed starting. Yes, it's basic but gardening is basic. I write a year round weekly gardening article in a Northern Michigan newspaper and often quote information from Nancy's book. She provides all kinds of options for growing medium, containers, and lighting so anyone can succeed. She also tells you what doesn't work so you don't waste time and money. Once you have your seeds growing she explains how to properly transition them to the outdoors. Nancy also has a chapter on "problems" which addresses all issues I've ever experienced. Another reason I like this book and have recommended it is because Nancy's opinions come from her actual experience. Yes, the book was published in 1988 and a few things have changed, like peat pellets are no longer expensive , but having children start seeds in egg cartons is still a bad idea.

I have bought several of these books since they came out and I keep one in the greenhouse, one on the computer desk and one on the side table in the bedroom. I have given copies of this book to friends or family members as they start down the path of Saving and Seeding with Open Pollinated seeds. There is a section for vegetables as well as a section for flowers. Excellent advice and has several line drawings to clarify what is written. If you grow open pollinated plants, you want this book.

Very good resource for how to delve into starting one's own flower and vegetable/herb seeds for germination. Mrs. Bubel gives information on how seeds should be treated prior to planting for germination. Some seeds need soaking, other seeds need scarification; some like it cold, or warm, or light or dark to germinate. If you sow seeds and they don't grow, chances are the seeds were not prepared properly.

Wonderful book. I’m still an amateur gardener and loving it; yet this book has given me so many lessons already about starting plants from seed. Information that I would have never found otherwise!

This book is not a hardcover like it is listed which is disappointing. Likewise the shipping packaging was air tight plastic wrap so when the mail man crammed it into the mail box, he scraped the spine of the book and ripped the bottom as well. Otherwise I have no doubt it was in fantastic condition for a soft cover from 1988.

Wow so much information! Nancy Bubel did a great job at compiling this informative book. She covers just about everything you need to know to grow anything from start to finish and in between! It's not just about starting seeds. It's a total gardeners handbook. Love it. Total thumbs up. Buy it.

I keep this book beside my Lazy Boy chair year-round. Not only so, I actually read it and mark it. I recently studied (again) the section on making and using Cold Beds for growing things during the winter.. THE BEST!

Easy to read with lots of information!