The Dictionary of Science for Gardeners

October 1, 2015

This book's title implies that the work is intended for gardeners; however, selected entries "describe the scientific background to modern gardening," explain soil science above and below the soil line, and clarify how soil-related activities affect the garden, planter, wildlife, and insect world. Although a few common terms (e.g., bulb, insecticide) appear here, scientific names make up the bulk of the work. Covering 16 fields (e.g., plant classification and geography; plant evolution, structure, and function; pesticides; and weather and climate), this alphabetically arranged 6,000-word dictionary includes approximately 137 clearly sketched black-and-white illustrations clarifying specific entries. Definitions ranging from short (e.g., "non-living" for "abiotic") to 16 lines for Clematis include references and cross-references to other summaries. Allaby (DK Guide to Weather) uses British spellings and defines some scientific words with (cross-referenced) words. Several of the more complex entries direct readers to the appropriate Internet-resource-heavy further-reading list (all links were current as of this review). The Beaufort Wind Scale and a genetic code chart appear in the appendix. VERDICT Although much of this information can be found in general science dictionaries, this book will be useful to nursery professionals and botany and earth science students. Serious gardeners looking for definitions to words found in technical natural science and gardening texts as well as those seeking additional resources will also be pleased.--Laurie Selwyn, formerly with Grayson Cty. Law Lib., Sherman, TX

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2015
Written for the layperson with an interest in understanding the scientific terminology used in books and articles related to modern gardening, The Dictionary of Science for Gardeners provides 6,000 definitions from 16 branches of science. Subject areas covered encompass plant classification, geography, structure, function, and evolution as well as the way nutrients pass through cycles, ecology, weather, and climate. Sample entries include Abscisic acid, Aphis fabae, George Bentham, Conservation tillage, Horse latitudes, Mucoprotein, Sedimentary rock, Nitrogen cycle, and Wetland. Terms within a definition that have separate definitions within the dictionary are indicated in bold. An icon next to an entry points the user to a list of web addresses at the end of the dictionary, where more detailed explanations can be found. Definitions, supplemented by hundreds of small black and white line drawings, range in length from a single line to a brief paragraph. Appendixes include the Beaufort Wind Scale, the Genetic Code, and a listing of websites for further reading. Notable for broad coverage, this volume is recommended for public and special libraries with horticulture or gardening collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)