The glaciers that advanced and then receded through the Great Lakes region shaped Michigan's terrain and soil in ways that challenge and sometimes confound modern-day gardeners. Michigan today has 450 varieties of soil! Before they can garden successfully, Michigan gardeners need to know what soil they have and how to address its shortcomings—and do that within the limitations of the state's climate and northern growing season. This book explains how Michigan gardeners can lengthen their growing seasons through careful plant selection, exploiting microclimates, and using season-extending products. Chapters focus on lawns, vegetables, flowers, and trees, plant diseases, and invasive plants.

Author Rita C. Henehan lives in White Pigeon, Michigan. She is a Master Gardener and frequent contributor to garden publications coast to coast, and often appears on the radio program “Green Thumbs Up.”