I want to grow a garden. I have tried, I even have lots of space...I can just never get anything to grow well! Of course my ground is very rocky so I am sure that has something to do with it.

Can you suggest some books for some one not good at gardening and gardening books that are about budget gardening?

I have found a wonderful place for seeds and plants try parkseed.com, they also have catalogs.  If your soil is bad, take a baggie full to a local nursery or your local extension office they will help you to figure out what you need for healthy soil, or you could try container gardening. I do alot of container gardening, so I don't use an abundant amount of water.  I also have some space in a local community garden, these are great places for learning different gardening techniques, socializing with wonderful gardeners,  not to mention the great fresh food.  The only gardening book I have is a encyclopedia of plants and it is very old.  Happy Gardening!!!!!!!!

I just read Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew and can't wait to get started this spring.  The great thing is that you don't use y our existing soil at all.  The bad thing seems to be that the startup mix looks to be a little pricey but you only have to do that once and then you just use compost. 

Looks like the wait for that book is long here but I found it at Borders and I bet your library would have it too.

Happy Gardening!

I found Lasagna Gardening by Patricia Lanza very helpful.

I going to do Cubed Foot Gardening this year:

As you live on the West Coast, I would recommend the Sunset Garden Books.   They are geared to the growing conditions we have out here.  Your local nursery, book store, or Home Depot probably has them.  Also, check out the library, and if you have a Master Gardner program in your state, try them for advice.  They are a volunteer group of trained people and usually attached to the local farm adviser - at least in Caliofrnia.

Hi frugalmom, I second the suggestion of the Sunset Western Garden Book. I see there are copies available here. You want the one with the yellow flower on the cover, btw. It covers quite a lot about gardening in the west, you will be able to find out what zone you're in and read the pages tailored to your climate. Plus lists of plants and where they grow best. If you want vegetables, I'd further recommend looking at any of the Square Foot Gardening editions you can find.  Then get yourself a little soil pH test kit at the garden center or home center, see what you've got to work with, and start planting.

If you're into mail-order check out my website, I've got all the catalogs linked, 3000 or so of them by now. http://www.gardenlist.com . But you can find good seeds at the home centers too.