Gardening: fruit and vegetables Books

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Book SynopsisI don’t often share a resource in this way but when a gem of a resource like this crosses my path I have to let you all know about it. Huw Richards, author of Grow Food for Free Palmer’s book is full of recipes using locally sourced material to create mineral and biological extracts to feed plants. the Guardian Perfect for fans of Charles Dowding and Huw Richards! In The Regenerative Grower’s Guide to Garden Amendments, experimental gardener and author Nigel Palmer provides practical, detailed instructions that are accessible to every grower who wants to achieve a truly sustainable garden ecosystem – all while enjoying better results at a fraction of the cost of commercial fertilisers. These recipes go beyond compost by allowing you to make your own biologically diverse inoculants and mineral-rich amendments using leaf mould, weeds, eggshells, bones and other common materials available for little or no cost. Recipes include: Extracting nutrients from plant residues using simple rainwater techniques Extracting minerals from bones and shells using vinegar Fermenting plant juices and fish Culturing indigenous microorganisms (IMO) Inspired by the work of many innovative traditional agricultural pioneers, especially Cho Ju-Young (founder of the Korean Natural Farming method), The Regenerative Grower’s Guide to Garden Amendments also includes a primer on plant-soil interaction, instructions for conducting a soil test, and guidance on compost, mulching and so much more!Trade ReviewPublishers Weekly— "For the dedicated organic farmer, [this book] is a gold mine of astonishing methods and new possibilities for growing and maintaining a sustainable and truly organic garden.”“Nigel Palmer has come up with a terrific new ‘cookbook’ for the regenerative (and any other) gardener who desires to build and maintain soil and plant health. The easy-to-follow recipes are designed to satiate any plant’s appetite for the appropriate microbiology and nutrients. This guide to ‘using locally sourced materials to make mineral and biological extracts and ferments’ is to gardening what Julia Child’s classic guide is to cooking.”—Jeff Lowenfels, author of Teaming with Fungi and Teaming with Nutrients“Nigel Palmer’s new book is filled with fermentation methods for the garden. It’s an exciting new DIY resource for soil regeneration and plant health.”—Sandor Ellix Katz, author of Wild Fermentation and The Art of Fermentation“In a world seemingly focused on the newest miracle from the chemist’s laboratory, it is refreshing to find a book that unveils the power of nature in gardening and equips savvy growers with proven tools and formulas to move their practices to a new level. Nigel Palmer makes the art and science of life-enhancing amendments accessible to gardeners everywhere.”—Fred Walters, ACRES U.S.A. magazine“The Regenerative Grower’s Guide to Garden Amendments is a wonderful book, giving the reader new insight into regenerative horticulture at home—preserving the soil, enhancing biodiversity, and producing healthy food.”—Jake Fiennes, general manager of conservation, Holkham Estate“Attention, gardeners! The Regenerative Grower’s Guide to Garden Amendments will instruct and inspire. Learn to make targeted mineral and biological garden amendments and sprays with this comprehensive and easy-to-understand manual. Nigel Palmer’s guide is a classic in the making!”—Sally Fallon Morell, president, Weston A. Price Foundation“Herbal brews and probiotics keep us in good stead . . . so why not the plants we grow for food and medicine as well? Nigel Palmer offers an enthusiastic exploration of fermented plant extracts and organism cultures to keep our gardens and orchards productive and healthy. Indigenous wisdom presented in a scientific light rocks! Making one’s own garden amendments not only saves money but is truly the most effective way to grow. Phytonutrients prime plant immunity and friendly microbes protect from disease. Heed this advice and become a savvier grower today.”—Michael Phillips, author of Mycorrhizal Planet and The Holistic Orchard“In The Regenerative Grower’s Guide to Garden Amendments, Nigel Palmer offers a careful, thorough approach to creating abundance and health in and from the garden. The specifics of innovative and useful techniques, as well as the supporting concepts, are well presented for diligent gardeners to utilize. Nigel’s new garden model does a great service in moving forward our ability to feed ourselves in a cooperative effort with nature.”—Bryan O’Hara, author of No-Till Intensive Vegetable Culture“Easy, affordable, and garden-tested amendment recipes to help grow nutrient-dense food? Yes, please! The Regenerative Grower’s Guide to Garden Amendments made me wonder why I hadn’t started making my own amendments years ago. I was barely past chapter 2 before I started collecting egg and oyster shells to submerge in vinegar; comfrey and nettles were already fermenting by the end of chapter 3. Every gardener needs this knowledge!”—Chris Smith, author of The Whole Okra; director, The Utopian Seed Project“This book empowers readers to observe nature’s processes at work in the food garden, and to become aware of natural resources, such as weeds and leaf litter, that they can use to make their own mineral and biological amendments. Brilliant! Beautifully crafted by a first-rate teacher able to convey his in-depth understanding, passion, and knowledge, The Regenerative Grower’s Guide to Garden Amendments will inspire many growers to embark on a never-ending journey of discovery; to grow nutrient-dense food by creating an abundance of healthy ecosystems in the garden.”—Matthew Adams, cofounder, Growing Real Food for Nutrition; former director, Good Gardeners Association

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Book SynopsisMonty Don has been gardening on TV for over 25 years for ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC, and since 2003 has been the lead presenter on BBC TV's Gardeners' World, which from 2011 has been filmed in his own garden in Herefordshire, Longmeadow. He is an experienced organic gardener and was President of the Soil Association from 2008 to 2017. He has written a weekly gardening column for the Daily Mail since 2004, and published 19 books, including Down to Earth, the top-selling gardening book in the UK from 2017 to 2019.

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Book SynopsisA low-cost, sustainable approach to cultivating out-of-season vegetables in small spaces, using the age-old technique of growing in hot beds. The ancient method of growing vegetables in hot beds, used by the Victorians and by the Romans, harnesses the natural process of decay to cultivate out-of-season crops. In this easy-to-use guide, Jack First shares essential tips on how to reap the rewards available from modernizing and adapting this remarkable technique. With just stable manure (or alternatives), a simple frame and a small space to build your bed, you can be harvesting salads in March and potatoes in early April.This accessible, illustrated guide has everything you need to understand how to use this highly productive, low-cost, year-round, eco-friendly gardening system. Straightforward explanations and diagrams show how you too can grow early veg without fossil-fuel energy or elaborate equipment.Trade ReviewJack is a fount of knowledge and the expert on hot beds. When I visited his allotment and saw how advanced and healthy his crops were, it proved to me that these old systems still work a treat and are just as relevant now - if not more so - than they ever were. -- Joe Swift, garden designer and TV presenterWithin four chapters I was convinced enough to start thinking about where to squeeze a couple of hot beds into my garden. Nicely laid out and easy to read and reference… a must for any keen gardener or sustainable living enthusiast. * Suma Wholefood Wholesalers Blog. *I have waited a long time for this book… Jack First has done all the hard work… His authority on the subject is evident in the detailed descriptions and analysis of the various methods used… Most importantly, if the last few summers are the start of a pattern we must get used to, then this gem of a book may mean a lot more than just a fascinating insight into a traditional technique. -- Alys Fowler * Gardens Illustrated *If you want super-early crops without the hassle and expense of a heated greenhouse, look no further than Hot Beds by Jack First. This compact book brings back up to date Victorian gardeners’ techniques of building frames over piles of manure to harness the heat and grow everything from slads and spinach to beet and carrots. A must-read if you’d like to pursue a low-cost, eco-friendly approach to out-of-season crops. * Grow Your Own *With increasing numbers of people seeing the value in growing their own fruit and vegetables, it seems that there is a ready-made audience for First’s new guide. If you fancy getting a head start on your salad crops, why not make this the year you join the hot bed revolution? -- Louisa Pearson * The Scotsman *With clear instructions, diagrams and colour images the author shares his experience of using this established method of early growing… This is an area full of possibilities for increasing yields in the vegetable garden. * The Landsman *Jack First’s small but perfectly formed volume on Hot Beds is going to save me a lot of time… a very detailed guide… If you’re unfamiliar with this once widely used technique then Jack First is the man to tell you about it. Charles Dowding has read this book and is experimenting with the technique on his new farm. That's got to be the highest recommendation anyone can have. * vegplotting.blogspot *First and foremost… Jack Frost comes off second best when he takes on Jack First. * Yorkshire Post *I’d describe this book as ground-breaking, except that there’s no actual digging involved. -- Andy McKee * farminmypocket.co.uk *Jack’s passion for the subject he has pioneered, tried and tested, comes across in this practical guide… Hot Beds explains this highly productive, space-saving, low-cost, eco-friendly growing technique in a straightforward way, showing you how to grow crops without fossil-fuel energy or elaborate equipment -- Helen Mead * Telegraph and Argus *A load of manure takes pride of place amongst the illustrations in this illuminating text on the history, theory and practice of building hot beds… In precise language, using clear illustrations, the author demonstrates how local waste resources can be recycled sustainably, saving both real and financial resources… Combined with a clarity of writing style, the index and cross-referencing make the book a joy to work with… As Jack First researched this book and prepared it for publication, he was probably unaware that he was writing the definitive textbook on the hands-on application of Social Credit principles… Hot Beds is set to be a signpost towards a future of a sane and sustainable economy. -- Frances Hutchinson * The Social Crediter *Learn how to grow veg and fruit so that you can harvest at least two months earlier than conventionally grown crops. * Friends of the Earth Pinterest *Hot Beds describes how the author has been experimenting with hot beds at home and at work for the past 15 years… Muck is the traditional material, but is not available to all. Jack, an experienced grower of out-of-season greens, new potatoes and salad, has tried many other materials with great success. -- Bunny Guiness * Sunday Telegraph *Jack is certainly pioneering this highly productive, yet low-cost, year-round gardening technique. It is difficult not to be tempted into trying the same to some degree and upon reading this delightful book. We have decided to incorporate some of these methods into our own allotment during the next 2 months. We’re pretty certain that you will too. * Pushing Up Dandelions website *Table of ContentsIntroduction Hot beds are nothing new How hot beds work The advantages of hot beds Preparing the hot bed Creating the hot bed Planning and sowing What to grow, and varieties Management of your hot beds Case studies Further possibilities Resources

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Book SynopsisSeed to Seed is a complete seed-saving guide that describes specific techniques for saving the seeds of 160 different vegetables. This book contains detailed information about each vegetable, including its botanical classification, flower structure and means of pollination, required population size, isolation distance, techniques for caging or hand-pollination, and also the proper methods for harvesting, drying, cleaning, and storing the seeds.Seed to Seed is widely acknowledged as the best guide available for home gardeners to learn effective ways to produce and store seeds on a small scale. The author has grown seed crops of every vegetable featured in the book, and has thoroughly researched and tested all of the techniques she recommends for the home garden.This newly updated and greatly expanded Second Edition includes additional information about how to start each vegetable from seed, which has turned the book into a complete growing guide. Local knowledge about seed starting techniques for each vegetable has been shared by expert gardeners from seven regions of the United States-Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast/Gulf Coast, Midwest, Southwest, Central West Coast, and Northwest.

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Book SynopsisWith over 300 recipe ideas and many wonderful stories from the fruit garden, Tender: Volume II A cook's guide to the fruit garden is the definitive guide to cooking with fruit from the presenter of BBC One's Simple Cooking.When I dug up my lawn to grow my own vegetables and herbs I planted fruit too. A handful of small trees - plum, apple and pear - some raspberry, blackberry and currant bushes and even strawberries in pots suddenly joined my patch of potatoes, beans and peas. These fruits became the backbone of my home baking, the stars in my cakes and pastries and even inspired the odd pot of jam. More than this, I started to use them in new ways too, from a weekday supper of pork chops with cider and apples to a Chinese Sunday roast with spiced plum sauce. The hot family puddings and fruit ices we had always loved so much suddenly took on a delicious new significance.'With over 300 recipe ideas and many wonderful stories from the fruit garden, Tender: Volume II A cook's guide to tTrade ReviewReviews for Tender: Volume I ‘The sensual pleasure he gets from growing and cooking the produce from his small London vegetable patch is vividly conveyed in gentle, evocative prose.’ The Spectator ‘Beautiful, inspiring and informative.’ BBC Good Food Magazine ‘Tender will not disappoint Slater’s fans…the recipes are simple, tasty and sometimes a little bit naughty…the photography compliments the book perfectly…a highlight on any bookshelf.’ Jamie Magazine 'If you want to start growing your food this is a lovely reference book of vegetable varieties…it is also packed full of Slater's relaxed, unfussy and very workable recipes.' The Times ‘You could eat sublimely for a year using only Nigel Slater's Tender' Guardian 'Slater applies his very evocative, sensual writing style to such topics as tomato varieties – which ones he likes and why – with impressive verve…it's an inspiring read; we are left feeling if he can do it, so could we.' Time Out 'Nigel Slater invariably hits the mood of the moment, and here he turns his poetic prose to gardening, growing and eating vegetables…recipes and photography brilliant as always…the book is perfect for everyone.' Country Life

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Book Synopsis Elevate your backyard veggie patch into a work of sophisticated and stylish art. Kitchen Garden Revival guides you through every aspect of kitchen gardening, from design to harvesting.Author Nicole Johnsey Burke, founder of Rooted Garden, one of the leading US culinary landscape companies, and Gardenary, an online kitchen gardening education and resource company, leads the way with expert advice.Participating in the grow-your-own movement is important to both reduce your food miles and control what makes it onto your family’s table. If you’ve hesitated to take part because installing and caring for a traditional vegetable garden doesn’t seem to suit your life or your sense of style, Kitchen Garden Revival is here to show you there’s a better, more beautiful way to grow food.Instead of row after row of cabbage and pepper plants plunked into a patch of dirt in the middle of the yard, kitTrade Review“One of the other things I really loved about Kitchen Garden Revival is Nicole’s new takes on established garden ideas.” * The Kitchen Garten *“Whether the reader is a novice or experienced gardener, Kitchen Garden Revival offers information that is practical and helpful. Eric Kelley’s 230 color photos add clarity and beauty to the written word.” * OregonLive.com *“Burke’s book is filled with witty, easily-read information. The facts are intermixed with humorous stories of her mistakes while attaining her self-taught expertise.” * Triangle Garden *Not only will you learn about what crops to grow and when, but the book also guides readers through the process of building a garden and its benefits. * LifeSavvy.com *Table of ContentsPREFACE INTRODUCTION What’s a Kitchen Garden and Why It’s Time for a Revival Part One: Creating the Kitchen Garden CHAPTER 1: SITE Find the Perfect Kitchen Garden Spot CHAPTER 2: GATHER Select Your Kitchen Garden Elements CHAPTER 3: FRAME Install the Kitchen Garden Structures CHAPTER 4: FILL Add Soil and Water Part Two: Growing the Kitchen Garden CHAPTER 5: PLAN Create Your Kitchen Garden Calendar CHAPTER 6: PLANT Begin to Grow In Your Kitchen Garden CHAPTER 7: TEND How to Care for Your Kitchen Garden CHAPTER 8: HARVEST Ways to Enjoy Kitchen Garden Growth Appendix One: How to Take the Next Step in the Kitchen Garden Revival Appendix Two: Garden Listing Appendix Three: Celebrate Local Resources About the Author About the Photographer Acknowledgments Index

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Book SynopsisGarden Fresh, 100 Postcards features 50 different images of vegetables, fruits, and herbs from the camera of award-winning garden photographer Rob Cardillo. Upclose shots capture the distinctive shapes and features of heirloom varieties, including the curling pretzel bean, the vibrant fushcia 'Jackson wonder' lima bean, and the rare 'Nanticoke' winter squash. From the 'Dark Roden' red lettuce to golden beets, green tomatoes, lavender chive blossoms, and purple artichoke flowers, the rich sunlit colors of luscious garden-fresh produce saturate every card. The back of each card features a short description of each variety along with intriguing facts, like how the D'Avignon radish pushes up out of the soil when it's ready to harvest. A flip-top keepsake box completes this perfect gift for fresh-from-the-garden food lovers, gardeners, and nature enthusiasts.

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Book SynopsisThe Fruit Tree Handbook is a clear, practical guide for both amateur and expert, conveying a deep respect for the natural world and showing how to cultivate healthy trees through good management. Apples, pears, plums, cherries, apricots, peaches and nectarines, as well as less common fruits such as mulberries, medlars and figs, are covered in detail, with recommended varieties of each. The Fruit Tree Handbook describes all the pest and disease problems you may encounter and advises on how to deal with them organically. It also reveals all you need to know about choosing rootstocks and suitable varieties for your needs, and illuminates the mysteries of pruning with step-by-step instructions and detailed diagrams. Whether you are planting a few trees in your garden or 50 trees in a field, this book provides the expert guidance you need to look after your trees – and be rewarded with basketfuls of luscious fruit at harvest time.Trade ReviewA comprehensive, practical book... [to] help you choose your fruit trees and rootstocks, situate your orchard, prune your trees and keep them healthy. It is bursting with well-illustrated guidance, generously given from someone who knows orchards and cares about the wildlife that they can support. * Sue Clifford & Angela King - Common Ground *A really well-organised, approachable yet thorough guide to sourcing, planting and caring for fruit trees. It's a must for anyone considering anything from a couple of trees to an orchard. * Mark Diacono - River Cottage Head Gardener *If you’ve ever thought about turning an unproductive grassy area into an orchard and then quietly filed it away under 'wouldn't know where to start', it may be time for a rethink... a well-written specialist book like this one is a welcome addition to my bookshelf. * The Ecologist - October 2011 *No matter how small your garden, if you want to grow fruit, this guide will help you on your way with excellent photos and clear diagrams. * Dobies of Devon *Whether you are planting a few trees in your garden or 50 trees in a field, you will find all you need to know to design and manage your own orchard. * Devon Country Gardener *At last! A book about growing fruit with an organic approach, written for British conditions and with home fruit growers rather than professionals in mind. * Patrick Whitefield - Permaculture Magazine *An excellent book. Full of all sorts of useful information for lovers of fruit trees, from, lovely pictures and clear illustrations. It is beautifully laid out, simple to follow and good and accurate to read. * Dorset Cider Blog *Brilliant work, beautifully presented. * Allotment Blog *Table of ContentsIntroduction PART ONE: Preparation, planning and planting The site of your orchard Rootstocks Pollination, flowering and fruit development Choosing fruit trees Planning your orchard Buying and planting trees PART TWO: Fruit tree management Caring for your trees Pruning fruit trees Problems of fruit trees PART THREE: The fruits Apples Pears Plums Cherries Peaches and nectarines Apricots Other fruits PART FOUR: Traditional orchards Restoring a neglected orchard Community orchards Glossary Appendices Resources

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Book SynopsisEditor-in-Chief Alan Toogood is an experienced horticulturalist. Having trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, he went on to study at the Royal Horticultural Society's Garden at Wisley, Surrey. He works as a freelance writer and journalist, writing for such magazines as Gardener's Chronicle, Amateur Gardening, RHS's own magazine The Garden, and Greenhouse, of which he was the Editor for many years. With a wealth of expertise behind them, other contributors to this book include the herb expert Jekka McVicar, vice-president of the RHS Council and president of the Herb Society, known for her organic herb garden in Gloucestershire; renowned orchid expert Wilma Rittershausen; John Mattock, whose family boasts a 175-year history of rose growing; and recently retired executive vice-president of the RHS, Jim Gardiner.The 2019 edition of the book has been revised by Julian Shaw, a collaborator on several DK gardening books, including RHS A-ZTrade ReviewExcellent DK design means all the info is instantly at your fingertips without having to trawl through reams of dull, bossy text. An indispensable reference book for every propagator's bookshelf. * Garden Answers *

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Book SynopsisDick Strawbridge's road to a self-sufficient lifestyle was documented in three series of It's Not Easy Being Green (BBC). He co-wrote the first edition of Practical Self-Sufficiency with his son James, and also It's Not Easy Being Green (BBC Books, 2009). His current TV project is the Channel 4's primetime Escape to the Chateau (March 2016), now in its sixth series. James Strawbridge, Dick's son, co-presented It's Not Easy Being Green and co-wrote the first edition of Practical Self-Sufficiency and It's Not Easy Being Green. James also co-wrote the Made at Home series on artisan skills (Octopus, 2012).

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Book SynopsisLiving With The Earth is a three volume series bringing together years of hands-on organic growing experience and research from the world-renowned Bec Hellouin Farm in France. In 2006, Perrine and Charles Herve-Gruyer set out on a mission to discover a new form of agriculture that provides organic crops, creates healthy soil and brings meaningful employment to the local community. A combination of biointensive methods and permaculture design, which they have named 'ecoculture', and backed by scientific research, has resulted in a highly abundant market garden that sequesters carbon and frees up land for Nature. This beautifully illustrated, comprehensive first volume shows you how natural systems work, and explains how a wide range of simple and effective techniques can create ecologically diverse gardens or highly productive farms. The in-depth chapters on weather patterns, soil types and ecosystem services, give the reader a sound understanding of the environment they are growing in. The book covers everything you need to design a farm and implement a high-yielding food system from scratch, from understanding permaculture and its tools to the full design process, using the successful systems at Bec Hellouin as examples. Chapters on composting, mulching, fertilisers, green manures and working with beneficial microorganisms offer the reader a selection of tools for creating healthy soil within the farm ecosystem. This is a unique, groundbreaking book for gardeners, homesteaders, farmers, agronomists and permaculture designers.Trade Review"Goodness, this book sings! Living With The Earth braids ecological farming, scientific rigor and ancient wisdom with all the practicalities of a manual that actually helps you do the work. The immense beauty of this book, with its lyrical writing, photos and illustrations, pulls you into the world of miracles ... our world tended with loving hands in a simple, effective and regenerative way. This is ecological farming at its best." Erik Ohlsen, Author of The Regenerative Landscaper

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Garden Media Guild Practical Book of the Year Award 2022 From the creator of the wildly popular website ‘Vertical Veg’ and with over 200k people in his online community of growers, comes the complete guide to growing delicious fruit, vegetables, herbs and salad in containers, pots and more – in any space at home – no matter how small! If you long to grow your own tomatoes, courgettes or strawberries but thought you didn’t have enough space, Mark Ridsdill Smith, aka the ‘Vertical Veg Man,’ will show you how. Make the most of walls, balconies, patios, arches and windowsills and create rich, beautiful and delicious homegrown food. With proven results from his ten years of experience growing in all kinds of containers and teaching people how to grow bountiful, edible crops in small spaces, Mark will show you how gardening in containers is more than just a hobby but rather a way of creating a significant amount of delicious, low-cost, nutritious food. In his second year of growing in containers, Mark grew over 80kg of food worth £900! Inside The Vertical Veg Guide to Container Gardening, you’ll find: Mark’s ‘Eight Steps to Success’ How to make the most of your space How to draw up a planning calendar so you can grow throughout the year Planting projects for beginners and the best plants to start with Compost recipes and wormery guide for the more experienced gardener Troubleshoots for the specific challenges of growing in small spaces Ways to support pollinators and other wildlife in urban areas How growing food at home can contribute to wellbeing, sustainability and the local community Don’t be confined by the space you have – grow all the food you want with Mark’s Vertical Veg Guide to Container Gardening.Trade Review‘Mark’s enthusiasm is infectious and together with his attention to often-overlooked details, will give you confidence and knowledge to grow an impressive amount of food in seriously small spaces, where you probably thought you could not! He has been practising what he preaches for a long time and continually refines his methods, to be able to share with you many effective ways to harvest fresh vegetables throughout the year.’—Charles Dowding, author of Skills for Growing and No Dig Gardening‘The impression that the fine art of gardening can be achieved only by those with large amounts of space is slowly and surely becoming disproved. Mark’s container gardening book deals another major blow to that myth with a comprehensive guide, both practical and scientific, to growing edibles without the need for open ground. With many people in urban areas now living in flats, whose outdoor access is limited to balconies or small community areas, this book lays out with thorough advice how to garden in container conditions and how to enjoy the social, physical, and mental benefits of gardening with the massive bonus of having access to fresh food. What I most love about this book is that it is entirely based around Mark’s practical experiences – he is a container gardener to his soul, and whether you are an experienced gardener or just starting out, it is the perfect launch to your endeavours.’—Chris Collins, TV presenter and head of horticulture at Garden Organic‘If you want bumper harvests from brick walls and block paving, this book shows you how. A cornucopia of sage advice and cunning tips, it's verbal fertiliser for your growing plans. But small space gardening is also about people, and Mark's considerate humanity blooms in every chapter.’—Tom Heap, BBC Countryfile‘Mark has filled this book with so many insights from years of first-hand trial-and-error and building a real green community around growing food in challenging situations. I hope it inspires an army of urban vegetable growers to make the most of their outside spaces – I couldn't put this down.’—Sian Berry, Green Party member of the London Assembly‘Like all the best educators Mark is an excellent storyteller, and his enthusiasm and personal commitment shine from every page. How many gardening books advise you that in December (in the Northern hemisphere) you should ‘sleep and dream’? ‘The stunning illustrations draw you into a world of great shared experience with practical tips at every level. The invitation to create abundance must prove alluring for even the most cautious beginner, and as a very experienced gardener, I found new insights and tips as enlightening as a complete newbie. ‘In an increasingly urbanised world, where many people who would love to eat healthily have no access to land, vertical gardening offers an instant opportunity to get on the pathway to a good chemical-free diet over which individuals and households can have control for themselves. ‘On a practical level this book details every important aspect of how to succeed growing in containers. From composting to watering, propagation to plant choices, there are detailed investigations and recommendations. The focus on minimising cost and on recycling is impressive. Side remarks on a range of issues from seed saving to being chemical free chime well with the underlying passion for issues of sustainability. Assuming little prior knowledge is a great way to open the text to all. The repeated watchword ‘keeping it simple’ is another worthy lesson for all. ‘Don’t be fooled by the ‘good for beginners’ intro. The depth of research and recording and the factual guidance is as good as it gets. This is a masterwork for all gardeners to enjoy – even the most experienced.’—Graham Bell, author, practicing gardener, teacher of permaculture‘Food deserts and the associated human health concerns that exist in urban environments belie the costs of a failing food system. Growing fresh and nutritious produce in the city is a most important aspect of any food quality discussion. Vertical Veg provides ideas and guidance for the individual to create “a green oasis in a concrete space”. A simple pot of soil can support tasty herbs, salad greens and more. Mark Ridsdill Smith shows us how to take these ideas to the limits of available space, both his and his neighbors. These actions are infectious and inclusive – nourishing the body, nurturing the soul and connecting the community.’—Nigel Palmer, author of The Regenerative Grower’s Guide to Garden Amendments‘I love the image of many small urban gardens growing in containers – so useful and beautiful where water is available. There is a lot of good information in this book, whether you intend to make a container garden or sow plants in the ground. I know it will be a good guide for this (non-urban) gardener for years to come.’—Deborah Madison, author of An Onion in My Pocket and Vegetable Literacy‘Mark has eliminated every excuse – you can garden wherever you live, without exception. He goes further than just salad greens by outlining a plan for most vegetables known to gardening. Despite the dedication, I contend that it will be as beneficial to those who want to container garden in the suburbs and the countryside as well as in the concrete jungle! We all are better off with this book. This book is detailed with many creative pointers gleaned from his years of experience container gardening. Fun to read.’—Peter Burke, author of Year-Round Indoor Salad Gardening

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Book SynopsisHow to Store Your Garden Produce – the key to self-sufficiency is the modern guide to storing and preserving your garden produce, enabling you to eat home-grown goodness all year round. The easy to use reference section provides applicable storage and preservation techniques for the majority of plant produce grown commonly in gardens and allotments. Why is storing your garden produce the key to self-sufficiency? Because with less than an acre of garden you can grow enough produce to feed a family of four for a year, but as much of the produce will ripen simultaneously in the summer, without proper storage most of it will go to waste and you’ll be off to the supermarket again. Learn simple and enjoyable techniques for storing your produce and embrace the wonderful world of self-sufficiency. In the A-Z list of produce, each entry includes recommended varieties, suggested methods of storage and a number of recipes. Everything from how to make your own cider and pickled gerkhins to how to string onions and dry your own apple rings. You will know where your food has come from, you will save money, there will be no packaging and you’ll be eating tasty local food whilst feeling very good about it.Trade Review"There are so many benefits to 'growing your own', and as more and more of us get bitten by the bug this is the kind of book we'll need to give us storage tips in order to prevent all that unnecessary waste." * The Cottage Gardener *Table of ContentsIntroduction PART 1: METHODS AND GUIDELINES Basic storage Clamping, Freezing, Drying, Vaccum packing Salting, Bottling Pickles & chutneys Relishes, Ketchups & sauces Jams & jellies Fruit butters & cheeses Fermenting Part 2: A–Z OF PRODUCE

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Book SynopsisThe world''s leading resource on biointensive, sustainable, high-yield organic gardening is thoroughly updated throughout, with new sections on using 12 percent less water and increasing compost power. Long before it was a trend, How to Grow More Vegetables brought backyard ecosystems to life for the home gardener by demonstrating sustainable growing methods for spectacular organic produce on a small but intensive scale. How to Grow More Vegetables has become the go-to reference for food growers at every level, whether home gardeners dedicated to nurturing backyard edibles with minimal water in maximum harmony with nature''s cycles, or a small-scale commercial producer interested in optimizing soil fertility and increasing plant productivity. In the ninth edition, author John Jeavons has revised and updated each chapter, including new sections on using less water and increasing compost power.

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Book SynopsisConventional wisdom is difficult to question, even when it is misguided and contains many contradictions.Should you water in the evening? Do containers need pottery shards for drainage? Can cucumbers and tomatoes be grown together? Gardening has its share of such myths' some with discernible origins in history, others that have become established for no obvious reason and they often obscure simpler and easier methods of working. Asking why gardeners are always told to do things a certain way, Charles Dowding clears up common garden misconceptions in this delightfully illustrated book. Wise words from a thoughtful practitioner, Charles reveals how common-sense triumphs and crops are more successful when these rules' are overturned.Gardening Myths and Misconceptions is a fascinating but practical book that will save the seasoned gardener time and give new gardeners heart.Trade ReviewThese days, garden writing based on a solid career’s worth of practical experience is rare indeed. Therein lies the value of this thought-provoking little book. -- Rory Dusoir * Gardens Illustrated *Beginners and experienced gardeners alike can only benefit from Charles’ enthusiastic and deep understanding of what plants really need. * The Oak Tree Low Carbon Farm Blog *It has been proven untrue that watering in sunlight damages leaves. It is also untrue that rhubarb leaves and citrus peel cannot be composted, the latter may just take a while to decay. All this and much more makes for an entertaining and instructive read. -- Mary Davies * The Irish Garden *For anyone who grows edibles or for that matter gardens intensively I would recommend this book. -- Helen Jonstone * The Patient Gardener *There’s enough detail here to make a real difference to your garden, but it’s cleverly broken down into bite-sized chunks with illustrations, so it never feels hard-going. * The English Garden *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. A web of myths and misconceptions 2. Sowing and planting 3. Watering 4. Vegetable garden planning and design 5. Annual vegetables 6. Trees, shrubs and perennial vegetables 7. Manuring and fertilising 8. Making and using compost 9. Soil structure and care 10. Pest, diseases and weeds Index

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Book SynopsisAn Intuitive Gardening System Built for SuccessDo you dream of walking through your own kitchen garden with baskets full of delicious food you grew yourself? But are you waiting to begin because you think you don?t have enough space, sun, time, or experience?Then consider this: Plants want to grow. And when you match a plant?s needs to your own resources, you?re just one step away from success in the kitchen garden.Nicole Johnsey Burke?founder of Gardenary, Inc., and author of Kitchen Garden Revival?is your expert guide for growing your own fresh, organic food every day of the year, no matter where you grow. More than just providing the how-to, she gives you the know-how for a practical and intuitive gardening system that includes:- Leaves ? quick satisfaction from abundant harvests, most available and simplest to grow; includes salad greens and herbs- Roots ? underground harvests that require more tending and are built for endurance, longevity, and longer shelf life; includes tubers, bulbs, and rhizomes- Fruit ? the most demanding and sweetest of all, requiring the most space, sunlight, and consistent watering to blossom; includes beans, squash, and tomatoesBurke provides clear step-by-step instructions for setup, care, and harvest for each category of plants, complete with insightful tips for every level of gardener to grow with their plants.There?s always a plant you can grow right where you are, right away?all you have to do is follow the steps.Trade Review* Required reading before any tomato plants are sold to anyone anywhere. Nicole taught me this concept years ago and I've never forgotten it. - Myquillyn Smith, New York Times best-selling author of Welcome Home * Nicole inspires us all to dive deeper into sustainability with her beautiful and functional kitchen garden process, full of details that could give anyone a strong foundation to become a lifelong gardener. - Jen Hansard, best-selling author of Simple Green Smoothies and Simple Green Meals * Leaves, Roots & Fruit simplifies the process of learning to garden in an easy-to-use format, and the photos are gorgeous. Highly recommend! - Lauren Liess, author of Feels Like Home, Down to Earth, and Habitat * The perfect book to help you add the habit of gardening into your everyday life-even if you've never thought to call yourself a 'gardener.' - Jessica Honegger, author of Imperfect Courage and host of the Going Scared Podcast * A relevant and relatable must-have for gardeners of all experience levels. Nicole serves as a knowledgeable yet engaging coach as she walks you through the ins and outs of how to create a personalized gardening system that works for YOU! - Ashlie Thomas, the Mocha Gardener and author of How to Become a Gardener * Nicole has demystified the process of basic backyard, small-scale gardening for food or flowers into a simple and easy-to-follow step system. She will take you by the hand and walk you through the steps in word and image, physically and intellectually, for you to beautifully and deliciously grow into the kitchen gardener you want to be! - Jennifer Jewell, creator and host of the award-winning public radio program and podcast, Cultivating Place * Gardeners of all levels-from the first-time small-space gardener to a gardener like me with experience and space-will find more success in their gardens after getting their hands on this book and implementing this easy-to-understand system. - Jill McSheehy, host of the Beginner's Garden podcast and author of Vegetable Gardening for Beginners

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Book SynopsisWonderlands of bounty and beauty, orchards offer an abundance of fruit in a wildlife haven full of diversity. A well-managed orchard works with nature to provide maximum harvest for minimal effort. Wade Muggleton has distilled 20 years of orchard know-how into this practical handbook to help you plan, plant and manage your orchard, whatever your garden size or budget. With his expert guidance you can have an orchard on any plot-garden, yard, allotment or smallholding-and both maximise your harvest and minimise your outlay. The book covers: Rootstocks and fruit varieties Planting plans Maintenance strategies Pruning Propagation Eco-friendly pest and disease management Harvesting Storing Preserving the harvest The diversity, history and heritage of apples and other fruit trees is fascinating, and Wade's passion for them is infectious. Let him draw you into a world of apples and pears, walnuts and cobnuts, cherries and plums; of ancient varieties such as quince, medlar and mulberry; and even of juicy apricots, figs and peaches. Imagine having organic fruit all year round from your own little nature haven and use Wade's tried and tested experience to create your perfect orchard.

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Book SynopsisSoil Science for Gardeners is an easy-to-read, practical guide to the science behind a healthy soil ecosystem and thriving plants. The book debunks common myths, explains soil science basics, and provides the reader with the knowledge to create a personalized soil fertility improvement program for better plants.Table of ContentsIntroduction What Is Soil Health? Using the Book Terminology SECTION 1: UNDERSTANDING SOIL1. Soil Basics Components of Soil Origin of Soil Soil Particles Soil Texture Importance of Particle Size Air and Water Aggregation and Soil Structure Soil pH 2. Plant Nutrients Ions What Is Salt? Movement of Nutrients in Soil Essential Plant Nutrients Micronutrients Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) 3. Soil Life Energy Food Web The Power of Large Molecules Ratio of Fungi to Bacteria Chemicals in the Soil Pathogen Control Identification of Microbes 4. Bacteria What Do They Eat? Where Do They Live? Role in Disease Prevention Ideal Environment Role in Building Soil Aggregates Conditions that Harm Bacteria Nitrogen Fixation 5. Fungi What Do They Eat? Where Do They Live? Fungi at War Fungal Parasites Mycorrhizal Fungi 6. Other Organisms Actinomycetes Algae Protozoa Nematodes Arthropods Earthworms 7. Organic Matter Decomposition: Converting Dead Things into Humus Truth About Humus Too Much Organic Matter Compost Chelation 8. Rhizosphere Root Exudates Soil Enzymes Effect of Desiccation Soil pH Levels Dynamic Microbe Population Allelochemicals Plants Are in ControlSECTION 2: SOLVING SOIL PROBLEMS9. Identifying Soil Problems Why Do We Fertilize? Soil Testing Plants as Indicators of Soil Problems Plant Tissue Analysis DIY Test Kits Determining Soil Texture Crusted Soil Quantification of Microbes Level of Organic Matter Compaction Hardpan Drainage 10. Gardening Techniques That Affect Soil Tilling Working the Land Mulching Hoeing Cover Crops Raised Bed Gardening Crop Rotation Companion Planting 11. Solving Chemical Issues Buffer Capacity Increasing pH Decreasing pH Saline and Sodic Soils Increasing CEC Synthetic vs Organic Fertilizers Understanding Fertilizers Synthetic Fertilizers Organic Fertilizers Fad Products 12. Solving Microbe Issues Inoculation Solarization Controlling Pathogens Compost Tea Best Practice for Increasing Microbe Populations 13. Increasing Organic Matter Options for Adding Organic Matter Cover Crops Vermicompost Bokashi Compost Biochar Biosolids 14. Dealing with Structural Problems Compaction Drainage Issues Modifying Soil Texture Clay Soils Sandy SoilsSECTION 3: A PERSONALIZED PLAN FOR HEALTHY SOIL15. Developing a Plan for Soil Health Improvement 16. How Detailed Should You Get? 17. Soil Health Assessment Chemical Tests Soil Sampling Instructions 18. Soil Health Action Plan Soil Health Assessment Action Plan Action Plan Follow-upAppendix A: Soil Health Assessment Form Appendix B: Action Plan for the Year Index About the Author About New Society Publishers

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Book SynopsisVegetable by vegetable or fruit by fruit using freezing, bottling, preserving, salting, sanding, vacuum packs and many more tricks and techniques. This simple guide provides the successful storage solutions that gardeners need - whatever they grow.

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Book SynopsisA beautifully illustrated diary of a year in the vegetable patch. Month by month you will learn how to create a space that gives you fresh, wholesome fruit and veg. Michael Kelly’s expert advice will guide you whether you are a complete beginner or a more experienced grower, and regardless of the amount of space you have.

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Book SynopsisAt Eastgate in rural North Norfolk, Jane Steward is reviving the medlar, an old English fruit which was once Britain?s sweet treat. Her trees are alive with colour for much of the year: white and yellow flowers in the summer, green leaves that turn to gold and russet. Grafted onto quince A rootstock, and helped by local honey bees, these are trees with prolific fruit.Alongside the Nottingham variety of medlars, Jane has established a national culinary collection on her six-acre smallholding. Varieties include Breda , Dutch, Westerveld, Macrocarpa, Royal, Bredase Reus, Flanders Giant, Iranian medlars. Her book on medlars will have over 30 recipes alongside a myriad of information on this forgotten fruit.

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Book SynopsisCharles Dowding is the leading proponent of No Dig gardening with a huge following, borne out of more than 40 years of growing, analysing, and recommending. He is revered in the gardening world - Monty Don (BBC Gardeners' World presenter) says "Charles has become the guru of no-dig gardening. He's a really good grower, organic, and has fabulous produce."Trade ReviewNo-dig expert Charles Dowding helps you grow bumper crops in harmony with nature, by preserving soil structure and nurturing fungal mycelium, in this inspiring all-new guide. There's step-by-step advice and photography to illustrate each part of the process, and calenders show what time of year to sow and harvest over 80 crops. -- Margaret Bartlett * BBC Countryfile Magazine *Growing flowers is a joyous activity. But for many of us, tending vegetables brings another level of satisfaction. I've been a practitioner of the 'no dig' method championed by Dowding. His latest title will inspire and educate those who aspire to vef-growing, and encourage seasoned gardeners to explore different methods. -- Rachel de Thame * The Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisGrowing fruit at home is a delicious and altogether more enjoyable alternative to buying it in the shops. Mark Diacono offers a practical and accessible guide to making the most of your garden and what it has to offer.The first part of the book is an A-Z of the different varieties of fruit, with old favourites like apples, cherries, plum, blackcurrants, white currants, redcurrants, strawberries, blueberries, gooseberries, raspberries and rhubarb as well as more exotic species like figs, grapes, cranberries, Japanese wine berries and apricots. Each is accompanied by a photograph, with detailed advice on when and how to grow and harvest.In the second part of the book, Mark gives straightforward guidelines on techniques like pruning and training, as well as how to deal with problems or pests. There is a section dedicated to growing under covers and in containers.Introduced by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and with 30 delicious recipes, beautiful, full-colour photographs and a directory of uTrade ReviewIf you have yet to come across the River Cottage Handbooks, I can’t recommend them enough * Rachel Khoo, Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisEnjoy bushels of crispy apples and baskets of juicy blueberries from your own backyard. Authors Lewis Hill and Leonard Perry provide everything you need to know to successfully grow delicious organic fruit at home, from choosing the best varieties for your area to planting, pruning, and harvesting a bountiful crop. With tips on cultivating strawberries, raspberries, grapes, pears, peaches, and more, this essential reference guide will inspire year after year of abundantly fruitful gardening.

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Book Synopsis Grow oodles of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers with no heavy lifting or digging required! Grow bag gardening utilizes lightweight, eco-friendly, fabric planter bags to grow great plants with minimal space and care. Get all the know-how you need to successfully grow a hearty homegrown harvest in Grow Bag Gardening. Grow bags are perfect for urban, container, rooftop, balcony, and patio gardeners—but those with lots of property will find them useful, too. Grow bags fold flat for easy storage and are 100% frost-proof, so there’s no lugging heavy pots indoors for the winter. They can be used for many seasons and their mobility means you can easily move these pots around to maximize sunlight. Fabric grow bags offer gardeners a great way to grow that's cost effective, simple, and beneficial to plants.   In the pages of Grow Bag Gardening you’ll learn: Why gardening in these speciTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1: Why Grow Bags? CHAPTER 2:. Choosing the Right Grow Bags CHAPTER 3:. What to Grow in Grow Bags CHAPTER 4: Filling Your Grow Bags CHAPTER 5:. Grow Bag Garden Maintenance CHAPTER 6: Grow Bag Planting Ideas AFTERWORD RESOURCES ABOUT THE AUTHOR INDEX

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Book SynopsisThis charming insight into what each season and month of the year brings for a cottage garden will capture the imagination and inspire any gardener (expert or novice) to get out and about, grab a spade and get your hands dirty! Written by the BBC's Carol Klein, full of practical advice and tips, and full of stunning photography, this is a book truly to savour...'Her energy, knowledge and enthusiasm are an inspiration in every month of the year, and this very special book will be a real gem for all garden lovers.' -- Radio Times'Beautifully designed, this one is too good to miss!' -- Home & Country'Vibrant, informative, inspirational and personal... Klein's heartfelt love poem to her beautiful garden.' -- Gardens Magazine'A delight to read' -- ***** Reader review'A wonderful garden book from a wonderful gardener' -- ***** Reader review'What can I say? I bought it when it first came out in 2011 and it STILL hasn't made it on to a bookshelf as I am constantly dipping into it' -- ***** Reader review'A must have for gardeners old and new' -- ***** Reader review'A wonderful book which I found hard to put down' -- ***** Reader review'So inspiring!' -- ***** Reader review***********************************************************************************************In this wonderful gardening journal, the BBC's Carol Klein, with characteristic warmth, eloquence and infectious enthusiasm, tells us the story of a year in her beautiful garden at Glebe Cottage.With superb photography throughout, she takes us on a procession through the seasons, as she plans and plants, sows seeds and nurtures cuttings, tends the borders, and harvests her crops.Her energy, knowledge and passion will be an inspiration to gardeners old and new alike in every month of the year.

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Book SynopsisEnjoy your favorite varieties of garden plants year after year with this comprehensive guide to gathering, preparing, and planting seeds. Authors Robert Gough and Cheryl Moore-Gough provide simple instructions that clearly explain the whole process, from basic plant biology to proper seed storage and successful propagation. Gardeners of any experience level will find all the information they need to preserve genetic diversity, cut costs, and extend the life of their favorite plants to the next generation and beyond.

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Book SynopsisA complete guide to tomato cultivation from seed selection to harvest. Nutritious, versatile, and bursting with flavor, tomatoes are a perennial favorite of both home gardeners and market farmers. Tomatoes: A Grower''s Guide will help you ensure a plentiful and profitable harvest using The Fortier Method, Jean-Martin Fortier''s proven formula for successful, small-scale, biointensive gardening and microfarming.This highly accessible, succinct, and beautifully illustrated full-color handbook features: A celebration of the humble tomato and its fascinating historyfrom an exotic curiosity to a dietary staple. An inspiring collection of truly outstanding heirloom and hybrid tomato varieties, selected for attributes such as taste, yield, appearance, and hardiness. Strategies for planning, preparation, and propagation, including sowing techniques suited to every grower, from amateur through professional. Comprehensive guidance on cultivating your tomato cropcovering soil management, transplanting, fertilizing, mulching, watering and irrigation, pruning, staking, disease prevention, and dealing with common pestsall using organic and sustainable methods. Tips for picking at the peak of freshness, extending the harvest, and processing ideas so you can enjoy that homegrown tomato flavor all winter long. Tomatoes: A Grower''s Guide is a keystone title in the Grower''s Guides from the Market Gardener series. This curated collection of practical handbooks is designed to provide everyone from novice gardeners to seasoned horticulturalists and farmers with the information they need to grow better, using Jean-Martin Fortier''s principles of biointensive, regenerative agriculture at a human scale.

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Book SynopsisWhatever the size of your garden or allotment, you can grow your own vegetables. Even if you only have a balcony or a small paved area outside your kitchen, you can grow more than you ever thought possible in pots, containers and raised beds.Experienced vegetable grower John Harrison takes you through the entire vegetable year so that, for all the main vegetables, you''ll know exactly when you should sow your seeds, dig your plot and harvest your crops.Choose the most appropriate vegetables for your particular soil and select the right position so that they flourish. Discover how to make your own compost and organic fertilisers, as well as the best methods of controlling pests. Find out how to extend the season by buying or building your own cloches and cold frames.Put an end to worries that your shop-bought vegetables contain chemical residues or to concerns about the air miles such vegetables have flown en route to your table!Trade ReviewA great value no frills book packed with knowledge. Written by a genuine kithchen gardener. As a horticultural lecturer this is one book I would recommend to those new to vegetable gardening. * J. Trim, Amazon.co.uk *This book gets down to basics, is well set out and you can get to where you want to easily. Worth every penny. * Mr. R Cannon, Amazon.co.uk *The bestselling gardening book ... information-packed and down-to-earth * Mail on Sunday *This book is a bit like having the most experienced veg grower from the local allootments in your pocket. * Gardening Which? *

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Book SynopsisA practical course in vegetable growing, by the master of no-dig gardening.Trade ReviewThis book is essential reading to gardeners of all abilities. The advice given is honest, truthful and fresh without trying to impress its readers and that is what makes this book so impressive. It is the best all round garden book I have read in years and worth every penny of the cover price. This is definitely no ordinary run of the mill book and should be on every gardener's bookshelf even if you have to beg, steal or borrow it.Offers clearly explained, prectical information on what every gardener wants to know: how to tend your plot with minimal effort and achieve abundant, healthy harvests.Sharpen-up your veg-growing skills with this new guide. I visited Charles' garden some four years ago when he held his annual open day. It turned into a life changing afternoon out. The rotavator was sold and we have never dug since. Our vegetable patch now provides us with virtually all our vegetable needs, is totally organic and looks a picture too. Thank you Charles.I don't think I've ever previously sat down and read a book on vegetable growing from cover to cover, but this one had me hooked. It is a model of clarity.Want to know about vegetables and no-dig gardening? Look no further: Charles Dowding is your guru. Packed with information and first hand experience.A wonderful book, to devour at a reading and to keep on hand for constant reference and enjoyment.Sharpen-up your veg-growing skills with this new guide.'A must for the time stretched.' Bunny GuinnessCharles Dowding is my hero: his no-dig approach to growing has saved me hours of back-breaking work and improved my techniques no end. His tried and tested advice has been proven from years of successful veg production and it's easy to see from the health and vitality of his plants that htis approach really works.A book for all growers, who will find easier, more productive ways to grow vegetables all the year round within.Offers clearly explained, prectical information on what every gardener wants to know: how to tend your plot with minimal effort and achieve abundant, healthy harvests.This book is essential reading to gardeners of all abilities. The advice given is honest, truthful and fresh without trying to impress its readers and that is what makes this book so impressive. It is the best all round garden book I have read in years and worth every penny of the cover price. This is definitely no ordinary run of the mill book and should be on every gardener's bookshelf even if you have to beg, steal or borrow it.

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Book SynopsisProduced by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Allotment and Garden Guides were issued monthly throughout 1945. Aimed at the amateur gardener, they were to be the final rallying call in the wartime campaign to Dig for Victory.

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Book Synopsis“An invaluable resource” Huw Richards If you want to grow your own food, become more self sufficient, zero waste or eco friendly, or even go fully off grid, Liz Zorab is the perfect guide to help you explore the world of green living and permaculture. Grounded is the story of her gardening journey: from bare field to bountiful feast; from poor soil to fertile abundance; from rookie errors to successful sustainability. Liz and her husband, Mr J, transformed a tired 0.8 acre field into a fertile homestead that provides 80% of their food and drink – with enough left over to stock a community veggie box scheme! An inspiring blend of practical tips and ideas with personal narrative and a good smattering of humour, Grounded will show you how to: ` Fill your garden without emptying your pocket ` Make the most of the space you have ` Be creative with resources ` Achieve more without exhausting yourself ` Become more resilient ` Enjoy the process as much as the results This is a tale of courage and imagination that will inspire you to grow your own productive paradise and live your dreams.

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Book SynopsisFor decades fruit growers have sprayed their trees with toxic chemicals in an attempt to control a range of insect and fungal pests. Yet it is possible to grow apples responsibly, by applying the intuitive knowledge of our great-grandparents with the fruits of modern scientific research and innovation. Since The Apple Grower first appeared in 1998, orchardist Michael Phillips has continued his research with apples, which have been called "organic's final frontier." In this new edition of his widely acclaimed work, Phillips delves even deeper into the mysteries of growing good fruit with minimal inputs. Some of the cutting-edge topics he explores include: The use of kaolin clay as an effective strategy against curculio and borers, as well as its limitations Creating a diverse, healthy orchard ecosystem through understory management of plants, nutrients, and beneficial microorganisms How to make a small apple business viable by focusing on heritage and regional varieties, value-added products, and the "community orchard" model The author's personal voice and clear-eyed advice have already made The Apple Grower a classic among small-scale growers and home orchardists. In fact, anyone serious about succeeding with apples needs to have this updated edition on their bookshelf.Trade ReviewNorthern Woodlands (Review)- As anyone who has ever planted a few apple trees knows all too well, growing apples can be a perplexing and frustrating endeavor. The trouble is that apples are very attractive to many of nature's creatures besides humans. And at least one of these creatures, from deer to apple maggot flies, and from the roundheaded apple tree borer to mice (not to mention the long list of diseases that also affect apples), is sure to be working for its share of the fruit (and in some cases the tree) every day of the year. But if you've ever baked a pie made from your own apples, or pressed a batch of cider from them, the trials and tribulations all seem worth it with that first bite or sip. Michael Phillips' revised The Apple Grower has as much help as you'll find anywhere to get you to that first bite of pie or sip of cider. The previous edition, published in 1998, was the bible for many backyard orchardists and commercial organic growers. The new edition, boasting color photos and expanded and better-organized chapters, is a real treat for anyone interested in apples. The new edition's chapter on diseases and pests will be helpful to those left scratching their head about who or what is eating the apples or trees they are trying to grow. Phillips sprinkles tributes to other apple growers throughout the text. These persistent and dedicated souls, along with Phillips, are exploring uncharted territory: they are trying, without the use of traditional pesticides and chemicals, to keep ever-evolving pests and diseases away from trees that are themselves not evolving. All named apple varieties are genetic dead ends. A Macintosh today is genetically identical to a Macintosh from a century ago, but the bugs and diseases have spent that time evolving to break through the trees' defenses. Phillips presents intriguing ideas about orchard soils. Since people started growing apples in orchards, those orchard soils have largely been bacterially based, meaning that fertility has been maintained by the addition of bacteria-laden manure. Sheep and cattle were allowed to graze the grass and eat dropped apples, adding manure to the soils, and often the orchard was formerly pasture or hayfield, where manure was regularly added to maintain fertility. Bacteria-based soils are great for grasses and hay crops, but not necessarily for trees. Phillips argues that apple trees are still, well, trees, and like other trees, they prefer forest soils, which rely mainly on fungi to break down organic matter such as bark, wood, and other plant matter to maintain soil fertility. Phillips believes that this soil is what apple trees naturally want, and that it makes them healthier and better able to deal with pests and diseases. He has been experimenting with using fast-growing comfrey in his orchard, cutting it down to add rotting plant matter and to stifle the growth of grass, which can rob an apple tree's surface feeder roots of nutrients. He advocates adding composted branches, bark, wood chips, and even excess chunks of sheetrock to your orchard to promote the fungi in the soil and deter grasses. Phillips' style is more writerly than reference. His homespun stories about his many years of trying to outwit and outmaneuver the legions of apple-loving creatures are both entertaining and packed with tips. Phillips' extremely handy compendium of orchard tasks has always served as my basic plan of attack for what to do in my orchard, and the revised and expanded edition will be a welcome addition to my library. I have no doubt that over time it will take on the grimy, thumbed-through, and well-used look of my copy of the first edition of The Apple Grower. -- by Carl Demrow"A must read for anyone who grows apples or is contemplating doing so."--Lee A. Reich, garden author and Associated Press syndicated columnistNorthern Woodlands- “Michael Phillips’ revised The Apple Grower has as much help as you’ll find anywhere to get you to that first bite of pie or sip of cider. The previous edition, published in 1998, was the bible for many backyard orchardists and commercial organic growers. The new edition, boasting color photos and expanded and better-organized chapters, is a real treat for anyone interested in apples. The new edition’s chapter on diseases and pests will be helpful to those left scratching their head about who or what is eating the apples or trees they are trying to grow. Phillips’ style is more writerly than reference. His homespun stories about his many years of trying to outwit and outmaneuver the legions of apple-loving creatures are both entertaining and packed with tips. Phillips’ extremely handy compendium of orchard tasks has always served as my basic plan of attack for what to do in my orchard, and the revised and expanded edition will be a welcome addition to my library. I have no doubt that over time it will take on the grimy, thumbed-through, and well-used look of my copy of the first edition of The Apple Grower.”Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction Chapter One Growing Apples Locally Apple Growing a Hundred Years Ago Today's Integrated Pest Management Bringing It All Together Conventional Wisdom The Small Commercial Orchard in Context Chapter Two The Orchard Site and Its Climate Sacred Slopes The Four Points of the Compass Dry Ground Zone Hardiness Windbreaks Biodiversity in a Fruit Orchard Proximity to Markets Chapter Three The Enriching of Fruit Lands The Living Soil Compost Forever Soil Amendments Foliar Feeding Biodynamic Teachings Cover Cropping Ponderable Mulch Soil Tests and Leaf Analysis Trace Minerals for Every Tree Chapter Four The Trees and the Planting Cultivar Selection Rootstocks and Tree Spacing Nursery Sources and Varietal Collectors Grafting and Propagation The Setting of the Trees Orchard Size and Layout High-Density Plantings Down to the Nitty-Gritty Chapter Five Care of the Orchard Intuitive Pruning Training the Apple Tree Pollination and Fruit Set Frost Protection Thinning the Fruit The Great Grass Debate Mowing Options Summer Care Preparing for Winter Restoring Neglected Orchards Chapter Six Apple Pests and Diseases The Beginning of Understanding Good-bye, Foliar Pests Insect Identification Bug-by-Bug Profiles Beneficial Insects Good Sanitation Fungal Diseases Other Diseases of the Apple Four-Legged Considerations Chapter Seven Spraying for Balance The Complexities of Nature All the Answers Aren't Known, but We're Gaining Timing Is Everything The Orchard Calendar Botanicals, Elementals, and Forbidden Fruit Gentler Sprays Spray Equipment for the Small Commercial Orchard Matters of Concern Chapter Eight Reaping the Harvest When to Pick Harvest Equipment The Apple Picker's Reel Hiring Help Windfalls and Fat Sheep From Orchard to Packing Shed Grading Revisited Cider Making The Juice of the Apple Apple Storage Chapter Nine Marketing in the Local Economy Getting a Fair Price Apple Economics Niche Marketing Value-Added Products Organic Certification Advertising Marketing Innovations Long-Term Vision Chapter Ten The Last Organic Frontier The Sustainable Orchard Tree Spirit, Community Spirit Organic Perseverance Here We Come a-Wassailing Esopus Spitzenberg and a Better Tomorrow Appendix I Compendium of Orchard Tasks Appendix 2 Apple Grower's Source List Appendix 3 Lost Nation Apple Recipes Appendix 4 Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisFor anyone who's ever dreamed of growing their own food but isn't sure where to start, Do Grow delivers simple-to-follow guidance on planting and harvesting ten vegetables whether it's in a small window box or a spacious backyard and provides delicious, easy-to-prepare recipes so readers can enjoy the fruits of their labour.

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Book SynopsisFood plants have their own ornamental value, adding harmony to existing landscapes without creating a separate vegetable garden. They also provide a fresh, healthy alternative to the tasteless and woody fruits and vegetables bred for long-distance transportation and shipped to our grocery stores from all over the world. In this book, we show how, with just a little effort, you can augment your landscape with edibles of every description in an ecologically sustainable manner: * 65 accounts of vegetables, herbs, fruits and seeds * Veggie favorites: tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, beans and onions * Berries: blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries * The superhealthy: flax, broccoli, kale and garlic * The oddly beautiful: Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, asparagus and artichokes * The ancient and exotic: quinoa, amaranth and fennel * Starting, maintaining and harvesting an edible garden * Propagation and winter care * Solutions to common garden problems.

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Book SynopsisA practical back-to-basics guide to achieving food security and financial independence. What if you could really raise or grow all the food your family needs? In this fully illustrated book, you’ll learn to create an autonomous, diversified, and sustainable garden and to cultivate and maintain it following the main principles of permaculture. If you want to move towards greater food autonomy and you have sufficient space, you can also grow grains, keep chickens, and have a few beehives. Design and grow a prolific organic vegetable garden Learn how to save seeds from one year to the next Discover techniques for collecting water Read about beekeeping tools and how to use them Learn about chicken breeds and how to keep your birds healthy and happy Gaining food autonomy means depending less on grocery stores and food supply chains. But it is also offers the pleasure of eating healthy and delicious products straight from your land, while respecting the environment.

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Book SynopsisDiscover the joy of homegrown apples, fresh-picked cherries, and dozens of other fruits with this definitive guide to creating a more delicious backyard! Lee Reich shows you how to grow temperate-zone fruit at home, from site analysis and climate assessment through plant selection, pest control, pruning, and harvesting. A plant-by-plant guide recommends 39 palate-pleasing species that are especially well-suited to the home landscape. Add beauty to your outdoor space while bringing organic fruit to your table.

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