Gardening: plants and cultivation guides Books

Book SynopsisBill Alexander had no idea that his simple dream of having a vegetable garden and small orchard in his backyard would lead him into life-and-death battles with groundhogs, webworms, weeds, and weather; midnight expeditions in the dead of winter to dig up fresh thyme; and skirmishes with neighbors who feed the vermin (i.e., deer). Not to mention the vacations that had to be planned around the harvest, the near electrocution of the tree man, the limitations of his own middle-aged body, and the pity of his wife and kids. When Alexander runs (just for fun!) a costbenefit analysis, adding up everything from the live animal trap to the Velcro tomato wraps and then amortizing it over the life of his garden, it comes as quite a shock to learn that it cost him a staggering $64 to grow each one of his beloved Brandywine tomatoes. But as any gardener will tell you, you can't put a price on the unparalleled pleasures of providing fresh food for your family.

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Book SynopsisThe Land Where Lemons Grow is the sweeping story of Italy's cultural history told through the history of its citrus crops. From the early migration of citrus from the foothills of the Himalayas to Italy's shores to the persistent role of unique crops such as bergamot (and its place in the perfume and cosmetics industries) and the vital role played by Calabria's unique Diamante citrons in the Jewish celebration of Sukkoth, author Helena Attlee brings the fascinating history and its gustatory delights to life. Whether the Battle of Oranges in Ivrea, the gardens of Tuscany, or the story of the Mafia and Sicily's citrus groves, Attlee transports readers on a journey unlike any other.

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Book SynopsisIt takes just a few dollars and a few days for you to start enjoying fresh, healthy produce grown indoors in your own home. Imagine serving a home-cooked meal highlighted with beet, arugula, and broccoli microgreens grown right in your kitchen, accompanied by sauted winecap mushrooms grown in a box of sawdust in your basement. If you have never tasted microgreens, all you really need to do is envision all the flavour of an entire vegetable plant concentrated into a single tantalizing seedling. If you respond to the notion of nourishing your guests with amazing, fresh, organic produce that you've grown in your own house, condo, apartment, basement, or sunny downtown office, then you'll love exploring the expansive new world of growing and eating that can be discovered with the help of Indoor Kitchen Gardening. Inside, author and Bossy Acres CSA co-owner Elizabeth Millard teaches you how to grow microgreens, sprouts, herbs, mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers, and more-- all inside your own home, where you won't have to worry about seasonal changes or weather conditions. Filled with mouthwatering photography and more than 200 pages of Do-It-Yourself in-home gardening information and projects, Indoor Kitchen Gardening is your gateway to this exciting new growing method--not just for garnishes or relishes, but wholesome, nutritious, organic edibles that will satisfy your appetite as much as your palate.

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Book SynopsisAn up-to-date encyclopedic reference to all known species, with the most complete listing of cultivars yet published. Since most magnolias are highly ornamental their garden use is a primary focus of the book, though every aspect of magnolias from history to hybridizing is treated. This book is only available through print on demand. All interior art is black and white.

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Book SynopsisBring your garden to life—and life to your garden Do you want a garden that makes a real difference? Choose plants native to our Northeast region. The rewards will benefit you, your yard, and the environment—from reducing maintenance tasks to attracting earth-friendly pollinators such as native birds, butterflies, and bees. Native plant expert Uli Lorimer of the Native Plant Trust makes adding these superstar plants easier than ever before, with proven advice that every home gardener can follow. This incomparable sourcebook includes 235 recommended native trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, wildflowers, grasses, sedges, and annuals. It’s everything you need to know to create a beautiful and beneficial garden. This must-have handbook is for gardeners in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, eastern Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

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Book Synopsis“For all of us who cherish the apple, its utility, its flavors, and its powers of revelation and connection.” —Adrian Higgins, garden columnist, The Washington Post The apple is one of the most iconic fruits, traditionally picked on cool fall days and used in pies, crisps, ciders, and more. And there is a vast world of varieties that goes well beyond the common grocery store offerings. With names like American Beauty, Carter’s Blue, and Fallawater, and flavors ranging from sweet to tart, this treasure trove of unique apples is ripe for discovery. There is no better guide through this tasty world than Tom Burford, whose family has grown apples in the Blue Ridge Mountains since 1715. His celebratory book Apples of North America is brimming with beautiful portraits of heirloom and modern apples of merit, each accompanied by distinguishing characteristics and common uses. You will also find information on growing apples at home—with specifics on planting, pruning, grafting, and more—and instructions on how to preserve apples through pressing, fermenting, cooking, and drying.

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Book SynopsisThis is a garden book unlike any other because it will help make your garden better. Knowing what makes gardens work, helps you understand why your garden isn't working for you. Correct what's wrong, make the right changes to improve your garden. Redesigning all or part of the garden is made simpler, know what questions need asking, avoid making mistakes and understand how to combine plants to create beautiful borders with a unique but really simple method. Learn how to ensure your garden is better at looking after itself, so your free time is not spent gardening! Lastly change some gardening habits the world no longer needs, know your garden is good for the planet too. This is a book that shows how your garden can be made better.Trade ReviewInstead of using a method common in gardening books, (find a garden you like the look of and recreate it) Rachel's book encourages inexperienced and/or reluctant gardeners to take a new approach. This book will save you money, unnecessary hard work and disappointment and will help create your perfect garden. Sarah Wilson, Roots and All; full of ideas that will provide the deep satisfaction a garden will bring. From tackling unwanted plant guests, to top tips that will aid our precious environment . . . great design advice . . . easy to read and reference and guides you gently into the art of the garden. Chris Collins,Head of Horticulture - Garden Organic and Former Head Gardener, Westminster Abbey;A cracking read . . . for new and experienced gardeners . . . an eye-opener for those with more experience . . . bursting with that rarest of things in gardening books - common sense. Mandy Watson, award winning blogger at MandyCanUDigit.comTable of ContentsAcknowledgments iv; I WANTED MY GARDEN TO BE BETTER 1; DO YOU LIKE YOUR GARDEN? 5; What stops you enjoying the garden? 6; Putting things right 16; Learn to love your garden again 20; IMPROVING THE GARDEN 22; What's the difference between a front and back garden? 22; How to make an existing border lower maintenance 26; Proper planting 34; Perfectly good pruning 38; What to do with misbehaving plants 40; HOW TO CHANGE THE GARDEN 50; Rules to remember before you do anything! 51; Designing around problems you can't change 58; First time gardeners 63; Drawing the design 70; Planting with 'boxes' 76; Garden styles and why they don't work 79; Common garden mistakes 84; HOW YOUR GARDEN CAN HELP SAVE THE WORLD 113; OK, IT MIGHT NOT BE THE WORLD'S GREATEST GARDEN BUT ... 130; USEFUL STUFF TO KNOW ABOUT PLANTS 132; Designing with 'Boxes' 146; Bibliography 154; INDEX 155; AND FINALLY ... 158; ABOUT THE AUTHOR 159;

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Book SynopsisGardening, farming and astrology have been linked for thousands of years. You are aware of the four seasons, but you do not realise how paying attention to the days, and months, will help increase, and improve, your planting. This book combines ordinary gardening methods, with common-sense astrology, to help you improve your gardening. Cast aside any preconceptions and follow the ideas presented here in a straightforward manner.

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Book SynopsisTake The Handbook of Nature-Study with you wherever you go with these handy new editions from Living Book Press.For years Anna Comstock''s Handbook of Nature Study has been an essential tool for all budding naturalists but its large size made it impractical in the field. It has now been broken up into individual sections for easy portability. New full-color photos are included for those times that you''re unable to see nature up close. This volume features the Introduction to Plant Study, Wildflower, Weed and Cultivated Crops sections along with the author''s lesson questions, suggested readings, and teacher''s stories. Grab this book along with a field guide specific to your area and enjoy delving into the endlessly fascinating world that is nature-study.

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Book SynopsisFor years Anna Comstock''s Handbook of Nature Study has been an essential tool for all budding naturalists but its large size made it impractical in the field. It has now been broken up into individual sections for easy portability. New full-color photos are included for those times that you''re unable to see nature up close. This volume features the Garden Flowers and Trees sections along with the author''s lesson questions, suggested readings, and teacher''s stories.Grab this book along with a field guide specific to your area and enjoy delving into the endlessly fascinating world that is nature-study.

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