Winter is here, the fire is lit, hot cocoa is at hand. I’m ready to settle in and enjoy my garden books.

If you are only a casual reader, many of these have great photos and bulleted lists to learn more about plants. This is a great time to research next year gardens or learn what I did wrong in my landscape. Proof that gardeners are always learning.

If you are a gardener, or want to buy something for a gardener you love, following are some suggestions for great reads.

My absolute favorite is “Manual of Woody Landscape Plants” by Michael A. Dirr. He covers identification, ornamental characteristics, culture, propagation and uses.

Another nice book is “Tree and Shrub Gardening for Ohio” by Fred Hower and Alison Beck. While you won’t read it from cover to cover, you’ll really get into the details on plants you love. One plant leads to reading about another.

“Perennials for American Gardens” by Ruth Rogers Clausen and Nicolas H. Ekstrom is a A-to-Z reference guide to species, cultivars and hybrids for gardens across the country.

“The Well-Tended Perennial Garden” by Tracy DiSabato-Aust covers planting and pruning techniques. I learned so much that helped me grow a better perennial garden.

Herb lovers will enjoy “The Herb Bible” by Peter McHoy and Pamela Westland. It’s a directory of popular and easy to grow herbs, along with planting, growing, harvesting and preserving hints.

“Herbal Tea Gardens” by Marietta Marshall Marcin covers plans for your enjoyment and well-being.

For the crafty herbalist, check out “Gifts for Herb Lovers” by Betty Oppenheimer.

“Planning Your Garden” by Anne de Verteril and Val Burton is a handbook of basic principles of garden design projects and best plants for your garden. Another is “Four Season Gardening” from Better Home and Gardens, a month-by-month guide to planting and caring for your garden.

An interesting and helpful read is “Garden Insects of North America” by Whitney Cranshaw. This is the ultimate guide to backyard bugs. The “Ortho Home Gardener’s Problem Solver” covers some of our what went wrong mysteries.

Vegetable gardeners might like “The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible” by Edward C. Smith or “Saving Seeds” by Marc Rogers, a guide to growing and storing vegetable and flower seeds.

Some fun reads are “Trowel & Error” by Sharon Lovejoy, with shortcuts, tips and remedies for the gardener. Reader’s Digest’s “1001 Hints & Tips for Your Garden” is another one.

“The Complete Book of Garlands, Circles, Decorative Wreaths” by Fiona Barnett and Terence Moore shows how to create seasonal displays using flowers and natural materials.

A wonderful way to create art and work out your frustration is to read “The Art and Craft of Pounding Flowers” by Laura C, Martin. Staying in the creative mood, check out “The Complete Book of Topiary” by Barbara Gallup and Deborah Reich or “Quick and Easy Topiary and Green Sculpture” by Jenny Hendy.

Enjoyable reads could be “The Hidden Life of Trees” by Peter Wohlleben, recommended by fellow Master Gardener David.

Finish up with “Words For Gardeners To Live By,” illustrated by Mary Engelbreit.

These books are just a drop in the bucket of the wonderful information available to gardeners, so treat yourself or fellow gardeners to the gift of a garden book.

Baytos is an Ohio State University Mahoning County Extension Master Gardener volunteer.