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What's Wrong With My Plant? (And How Do I Fix It?): A Visual Guide to Easy Diagnosis and Organic Remedies

By David Deardorff and Kathryn Wadsworth

I've been waiting years for this very book — it answers the one question every curious gardener is sure to ask.

Joe Lamp'l, Nationally syndicated gardening columnist, author, and TV host

Dealing with a sick plant is one of the most frustrating situations a gardener can face. More often than not, we have no idea what is causing the problem, or how to fix it. Fortunately, help is at hand. What's Wrong With My Plant? (And How Do I Fix It?) provides an easy system for visually diagnosing any problem, and matching it to the right cure.

This innovative and easy-to-use guide is split into three parts.

Part One presents easy-to-follow, illustrated flow charts — organized by where on the plant the symptoms appear — that allow readers to accurately diagnose the problem. The format is so simple it doesn't even require knowing the name of the plant; all you need to know is whether the problem is affecting its roots, stem, flowers, or leaves. It does not matter whether the plant is a houseplant, perennial, vegetable, tree, or shrub.

Part Two offers a 100% organic way to fix the problem. From improper growing conditions and environmental factors, to molds, pests, and diseases, every problem has a safe, natural solution. Part Three shows photographs and drawings of stressed, damaged, and diseased plants that help with accurate comparison.

Whether your garden consists of herbs on a kitchen windowsill, a vegetable garden, an elaborate backyard border, or a container on a patio, What's Wrong With My Plant? is an indispensable resource. If you can see it, you can fix it. Curing a sick plant just doesn't get any easier.

Filed under: pests and diseases, problem solving, reference, alpine, annuals, bamboo, beginner, care, climbers, conifers, ferns, food plants, fruits, grasses, groundcovers, hardy plants, herbs, insects, instructional, native plants, nuts and seeds, orchids, organic, plant directory, professional, shrubs, trees, tropicals, vegetables

Format: Paperback
Pages: 452 pp.
Book dimensions: 7⅝ x 9¼ in. (235 x 195 mm.)
Images: 472 color photos, 600 line drawings
ISBN-10: 0881929611
ISBN-13: 9780881929614
Product code: 682961

Media reviews

"A handy reference book for figuring out how to help your plants stay healthy."

—Garden Gate

"This attractive, comprehensive, authoritative and easy-to-use guide, allowing gardeners to diagnose and organically treat a wide range of plant problems, is a worthy purchase."

—Sue O'Brien, Library Journal

"A combination of drawings, photos and easy to understand advice on organic methods for diagnosing and treating a whole host of plant issues."

—Deborah Roberts, Stonington-Mystic Patch

"I've barely put this book down since I bought it, and look forward to using it to maintain my plants this year."

—Utah Preppers

"This book makes diagnosing a plant problem super easy. I have never seen anything quite like it and it works remarkably well."

—Jeneen Wiche, Louisville Sentinel-News

"Whether your garden consists of herbs on a kitchen windowsill, a vegetable garden, an elaborate backyard border, or a container on a patio, What's Wrong With My Plant? is an indispensable resource. If you can see it, you can fix it. Curing a sick plant just doesn't get any easier."

—Joe Lamp'l, Growing a Greener World

"A definite keeper for my library."

—Christine Thomson, Triangle Gardener

"Its 500 color photos and 600 line drawings facilitate fast identification of diseases, pests and other problems. ... And, equally important, this comprehensive text explains how to use environmentally friendly remedies to restore plant health."

—Ledger

"An essential book for anyone who gardens."

—Jane Berger, Garden Design Online

"The smartest, best-thought-out book on diagnosing plant problems (and how to solve them) that I have seen in all my years as a gardener."

—Jodi Delong, Halifax Chronicle Herald

"It's like having a Master Gardener at your beck and call, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, any season of the year."

—Colleen Vanderlinden, About.com

"You'll have experts waiting on your book shelf to help you. Because if you haven't asked yourself 'what's wrong with that plant' yet, you will one day."

—Deborah Roberts, Garden of Possibilities blog

"Almost as good as having your own consulting plant doc at hand."

—Valerie Easton, Plant Talk

"A wonderful book for the gardener facing his/her first garden problems. It's also a handy reference guide for experienced gardeners."

—Dee Nash, Oklahoma Gardening Examiner

"Where does this book belong on my bookshelf? Front and center."

—Carol Michel, May Dreams Gardens blog

"The idea behind What's Wrong With My Plant? is so obvious that I almost gave myself a head slap for not thinking of it first. ... A phenomenal resource for the serious gardener as well as for hobby gardeners who just want to know why some flowers wilt and die."

—Mary Jane Smetanka, Minneapolis Star Tribune

"This is one of the best books I've seen for guiding the gardener through the maze of maladies that can visit garden plants. ... This book is a valuable tool and long overdue."

—Adrian Higgins, Washington Post

"Written by plant pathologists, What's Wrong? thoroughly covers diagnosis and cure in three parts: Simple to follow, illustrated, flowcharts of problems; organic approaches to cures; and photographs to clarify diagnosis."

—Molly Day, Muskogee Phoenix

"Whether your garden consists of herbs on a kitchen windowsill, a vegetable garden, an elaborate backyard border, or a container on a patio, this reference book is a resource any gardener can use."

—Michigan Gardener

"Bases its tutelage on progressive drawings that will help puzzled gardeners diagnose the troubles. Another plus: Suggested remedies are organic."

—Renee Enna, Chicago Tribune

"It was with great joy and relief that I opened an envelope ... with What's Wrong With My Plant? My excitement heightened when I saw that authors David Deardorff and Kathryn Wadsworth had approached the subject organically."

—Kym Pokorny, OregonLive.com

"A valuable resource for all gardeners."

—Marin Independent Journal

"David Deardorff and Kathryn Wadsworth have produced one of the best and most easily used keys to diagnosing a wide range of plant problems. ... Makes a great gift for any gardener."

—Cheryl Cadwell, Warwick (RI) Beacon

"A book that will grow dog-eared and dingy from use, yet remain on gardeners' shelves for years to come."

—Karen Taylor Gist, New Orleans Times-Picayune

"Has trouble-shooting flow-charts and solutions aplenty."

—Penny Carnathan, Tampa Tribune

"A welcome reference book for any gardener, one to keep front and center on your bookcase so that when problems show up, you'll be able to avoid your worst plant nightmares and continue to have a garden as your own paradise."

—Carol Michel, Southside Times

"An answered prayer for all gardeners."

—Ken Druse, Real Dirt blog

"I wish I had [this book] sooner, so I could have prevented the spread of fungus. This is a valuable reference for gardeners of virtually any skill level and experience."

—Carol Michel, Mr. McGregor's Daughter blog

About the authors

David Deardorff

David Deardorff, Ph.D., is a plant pathologist and botanist who uses public speaking, writing, and photography to explain the science and beauty of the natural world. Together, David and his co-author, Kathryn Wadsworth, present classes and workshops with a focus on diagnosing and curing plant problems. They live and garden in Port Townsend, Washington.

Kathryn Wadsworth

Kathryn Wadsworth, writer, photographer, and naturalist, enjoys sharing the wonders of the natural world with others. While leading eco-tours around the world she has studied plant life and explored natural history from Australia to Alaska. Currently, she and co-author David Deardorff can be found presenting workshops on a wide variety of topics, from gardening to ecology.