History and timeline of The Sunset Western Garden Book
Sunset
1935: The book’s first plant selection guide—ancestor of the all new Plant Finder section—was published
1950: Sunset introduced readers to packaged potting soil, which was just developed.
1954: The first Sunset climate zone maps appeared, divided into 13 climate zones. That same year, container gardening was touted as the next big trend.
1970’s: Sunset introduced readers to budding drip irrigation technology and Integrated Pest Management
1972: Sunset pushed for a ban on the pesticide DDT in 1972.