A handy 4-book Gardening Reference bundle for houseplant lovers and backyard growers. Includes The Golden Garden Guide (Golden Press), The Greenhouse Gardener (Signet), plus two beloved Golden Guides—Orchids and Cacti.
Expect concise how-to's, plant keys, and vibrant illustrations, with pocket-sized field guides perfect for quick ID. Photo-verified; a practical, displayable set for gardeners, students, and retro-guide collectors.
Quick Specs Item Type: 4-book paperback set
Size:
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Golden Garden Guide ~ 8 × 5 × 0.5 in
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Greenhouse Gardener ~ 7 × 4.5 × 0.25 in
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Orchids (Golden Guide) ~ Not provided
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Cacti (Golden Guide) ~ 6 × 4 × ~0.4 in
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Material: Paperbacks with coated color covers
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Color: Multicolor illustrated covers; B/W and color interiors
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Origin or Maker: Golden Press (Western Publishing); Signet / New American Library
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Year or Era: 1961–1976 mixed printings (see below)
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GENRE: Gardening Reference
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Language / Pages: English / approx. Garden Guide 176 pp.; Greenhouse Gardener 225 pp.; Orchids 160 pp.; Cacti 160 pp.
Identifiers:
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Golden Garden Guide (Golden Press, 1961 second printing): Not provided
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Greenhouse Gardener (Signet, First Signet printing May 1976): LCCN 66-18964
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Orchids (Golden Press, 1970): ISBN 0-307-24027-4; LCCN 74-79142
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Cacti (Golden Press, 1974): Not provided
Edition & Features
Edition/Printing: Mixed later printings as listed above.
Illustrations/Maps/Plates:
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Garden Guide: color photos + drawings; regional guides & frost maps.
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Greenhouse Gardener: “Profusely illustrated” with line drawings.
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Orchids & Cacti: full-color Golden Guide botanical illustrations.
Extras: Compact formats ideal for field reference; practical checklists and plant care tips.
Condition Grade: Good (overall set)
Notes:
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Golden Garden Guide: split at binding but all pages attached; edge wear/toning.
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Greenhouse Gardener: Good with expected page yellowing for age.
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Orchids: edge/corner wear; owner name written on title page; pages clean.
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Cacti: light shelf wear; clean interior; bright plates.
See all photos for detail—sold as pictured.
Condition Grade Key
Near Fine: minimal wear; tight; clean.
Very Good: light wear; clean text; minor flaws.
Good: noticeable wear; sound reading copy; some marks.
Fair: heavy wear; complete but worn; priced accordingly.
About the Authors
Golden Press’s Golden Guides distilled expert knowledge into portable, illustrated references loved by students and hobbyists; Signet/New American Library issued accessible how-to guides for home gardeners during the 1960s–70s boom.
Grow smarter and ID faster with this colorful mid-century garden quartet.
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Disclaimer
The vintage items I share with you have been previously owned and loved and may show some wear. Please use the pictures as a guide.
While I do my best to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.
Care & Handling: Handle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, out of direct sunlight, at about 68°F and 40–50% relative humidity. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings. Please note: If you have any questions or need more photos, ask.
About Reading Vintage
At Reading Vintage, I curate one-of-a-kind treasures for book lovers, decorators, and collectors—including vintage books, retro bookends, and charming collectible pieces.
