Gardening Books

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 SynopsisAnya Lautenbach is a self-taught gardener with a passion for the environment and championing neurodiversity. She grew up in Poland, and now lives in Buckinghamshire, UK, where her garden has blossomed through years of propagation and clever gardening tricks. Inspired to share her knowledge on social media as Anya the Garden Fairy, Anya proves that gardening does not need to be expensive and that anyone can transform their garden. Anya also uses her platform to raise awareness about the positive influence horticulture can have on mental health. She proves that gardening does not need to be expensive - anyone can transform their garden and create something amazing. Anya's first book was published by DK in February 2024 and became a Sunday Time Bestseller.

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Book SynopsisA book rich with doses of invaluable gardening knowledge mixed with visits to favourite NZ gardens.

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Book SynopsisThe wisest book I've read for many years Much more than a gardening book, much more than a guide to mental health Hugely recommended' Stephen FryTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERA Times and Sunday Times Best Book of 2020How can gardening relieve stress and help us look after our mental health? What lies behind the restorative power of the natural world?In a powerful combination of contemporary neuroscience, psychoanalysis and brilliant storytelling,The Well Gardened Mindinvestigates the magic that many gardeners have known for years working with nature can radically transform our health, wellbeing and confidence.With illuminating stories of how people struggling with stress, depression, trauma and addiction can change their lives, this inspiring and wise book of science, insight and anecdote now translated into fifteen languages shows how our understanding of nature and its restorative powers is only just beginning to flower.Trade Review THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER ‘Must be the most original gardening book ever’SUNDAY TIMES ‘Fascinating … Extends the awareness – backed up by compendious and elegant research – of how mentally enriching it is to swap screen for green … [She] renders a very special service with this book’OBSERVER ‘Stuart-Smith’s beautifully written book is filled with insights into the joys but also the therapeutic benefits that tending plants can offer …This is a life-affirming study of the pleasures of growing things’GUARDIAN ‘Combines observation, horticulture, literature and history … it is a book that builds, chapter by chapter … As a reference and an inspiration … There is much here to feed the soul’THE TIMES ‘An impressive achievement … this is an optimistic book’SPECTATOR ‘A truly uplifting book on the power of gardening – and how it can change people’s lives. It’s a prevailing reminder that getting our hands in the soil and helping to grow plants and flowers makes all the difference to our minds and wellbeing’STYLIST ‘A fascinating overlap between the still stumbling science of psychiatry and the ancient art of gardening’FINANCIAL TIMES ‘The wisest book I’ve read for many years … Much more than a gardening book, much more than a guide to better mental health, it is a wholly convincing story of how troubled minds might find a way of reconnecting to themselves and rebuilding confidence and hope by way of nature … I’ve learned so much in the way of the history of psychiatry and psychology as well as practical tips for both mind and garden … Hugely recommended’STEPHEN FRY ‘A compelling and deeply moving account of how profoundly our wellbeing can be affected through contact with gardening and the natural world. This is a timely call of return. Read it.’EDMUND DE WAAL ‘An important and timely book … Beautifully written … I urge everyone to read it’MONTY DON

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Book SynopsisAll you need is love. And a plant. Whether you’re a plant lover looking for seeds of inspiration, or a beginner hoping to cultivate your very own urban jungle, this little book is bursting with tips and ideas to help you hone your green fingers and become a true plant parent.

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Book SynopsisGrowing your own flowers for cutting brings the pleasures of the season indoors and cuts out the air miles associated with many shop-bought blooms. This book turns the spotlight on the best perennials and woody plants which return year after year with little effort or waste, offer valuable habitats to garden wildlife and bring a natural quality to arrangements. Rachel Siegfried, owner of the celebrated Green & Gorgeous flower farm, began her career as an estate gardener and in this book she shares her selection of 128 rigorously trialled plants and her garden-led philosophy that together bring such exceptional results. Cut flower classics such as peonies and dahlias rub shoulders with daisies, climbers, grasses and fruit blossom. Her exquisite arrangements capture the essence each plant making the most of characterful stem twists and branching tendrils - testament to years of expert botanical observation and hands in the soil. Beautiful photographs capture the seasonal diversity and natural ease that are such a hallmark of this thoroughly contemporary approach to cut flowers. Whether your goal is to have something to pick from your garden each week of the year or start a cut flower business, the inspiration to get started and expert advice you need is here.

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Book SynopsisPolly Wilkinson is one of the UK's leading garden designers. At the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022, she won the People's Choice for her charity garden for Mothers for Mothers. In RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2019, she won a Silver medal and People's Choice for her naturecraft garden.

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Book SynopsisA Waterstones Best Nature Writing Book of 2024 PickA BBC Wildlife Book of the Year 2024 'Delightful ... Mabey is the doyen of UK nature writing' New Statesman'Both instructive and exciting, often ecstatic... Mabey is a great, pioneering nature writer' Irish Times'Our greatest nature writer' New ScientistWe regard gardens as our personal dominions, where we can create whatever worlds we desire. But they are also occupied by myriads of other organisms, all with their own lives to lead. The conflict between these two power bases, Richard Mabey suggests, is a microcosm of what is happening in the larger world. Rooted in the daily dramas of his own Norfolk garden, Mabey offers a different scenario, where nature becomes an equal partner, a 'gardener' itself. Against a background of disordered seasons he watches his 'accidental' garden reorganising itself. Ants sow cowslip seeds in the parched grass. Moorhens take to nesting in trees. A spectacular self-seeded rose springs up in the gravel. The garden becomes a place of cultural and ecological fusion, and perhaps a metaphor for the troubled planet. This is vintage Mabey - maverick, intensely observed, and written with an unquenchable sense of wonder.

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate handbook for how to plan smart, grow sustainably and eat healthily with home-grown crops 365 days a year. This book will help gardeners to plan smart, grow sustainably, and eat healthily with home-grown crops every day of the year. Experts from the world-renowned Royal Horticultural Society pick the best vegetables available to grow today, and share their systems for timing and reviewing to achieve sufficient crops for a rainbow diet, 365 days of the year. From the widest range of tomatoes and potatoes to the more eclectic edibles such as oca and ginger, this book shows you how to: - Plan and manage timings to create a succession of crops for year-round harvests - Choose vegetables, herbs, edible flowers and exotic edibles for the best home-grown taste - Pick crops for every situation - Plan ahead for a rainbow harvest and great gut health - Grow crops using RHS sustainable practice to support eco-systems, and protect

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Book SynopsisMedical doctor turned food scientist and author of DK bestsellers The Science of Cooking (2017), The Science of Spice (2018) and The Science of Living (2020), "Dr Stu" is a science and medical writer, presenter and educator. He makes regular appearances on TV, radio, and at public events, and his writing appears in national and international publications. Stuart is also the founder and editor of online lifestyle-science magazine Guru.Trade Review"If you want to know more abou the natural phenomena that control the world of garden plants, then this book is for you." -- Ian Hodgson * Garden News *

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Book Synopsis'Have I always wanted to garden? What if I didn't have one? It would make life difficult I was going to say unbearable, but perhaps that is unfair to the millions of people throughout the world who cannot garden. Nonetheless, I feel gardening for me is a necessity rather than a luxury. It is part of me; it is what I do and who I am. No doubt I could survive without gardening, but it would be so hard. My family are all I could not live without, but gardening is my next raison d'être...'Carol Klein is one of Britain's best loved horticulturists, and for decades gardening has been at the heart of her extraordinary life. From her childhood adventures in Manchester to her first experiments in plantswomanship at Glebe Cottage, and from training as an artist and a teacher, and then finding an entirely unexpected career as one of Britain's most beloved television presenters, in this long-awaited memoir Carol tells the story of the people, places and plants that have shaped her life. Exploring why our relationship with the natural world is so important, and how it brings joy, creativity and good health to our lives, Carol also offers irresistible insights on her favourite flowers and plants, and how to help them flourish. A story of a life lived happily amongst the greenery, this book is the perfect companion for anyone who has sought solace in the natural world.

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Book SynopsisBeginning in the 1960s, John Brookes MBE (1933–2018) revolutionized garden design, with a new design philosophy and methodology that was rooted in the notion that gardens are about the people who live in them. Recognizing the demands of the contemporary lifestyle, he broke with previous labour-intensive garden design traditions and the emphasis on showcasing plants. Instead he promoted using gardens as extensions of the home. He introduced this notion in his 1969 book, A Room Outside, which also contained practical advice on materials, methodology, and planting. His approach was unprecedented and included the then-novel idea that people of all income levels could have designed, fashionable gardens tailored to their needs, low-maintenance, and beautiful. John taught and lectured around the world and, thanks to his energetic writing, teaching and media appearances, he became regarded as the ‘king’ and ‘godfather’ of garden and landscape design. How to Design a Garden is an informative and ultimately practical collection of his thoughts and advice selected from countless writings and lectures given to students, professionals and the public around the world. In addition to his teaching on how to design a garden, the book has two key themes – environmental sustainability and a focus on the local vernacular. They show how far ahead he was of his time and to what a great extent his teaching remains relevant to garden-makers today.Trade Review'John Brookes, "the man who made the modern garden", is even today the most inspired and inspiring teacher of garden design.' - Cleve West"The collection of essays, articles and lectures gathered in How to Design a Garden are simple and instructive whilst also illustrating Brookes’ way of thinking, characterised by great care and wisdom offset by a witty lack of beating about the bush...Practical, insightful and innovative, Brookes’ reflections as set down in this anthology are enduringly sharp - an essential book to have in your garden library." * rakesprogress magazine *"A fascinating study of John Brookes' method of working. There is a great deal of common sense and inspiration...whether you are a garden owner starting out or a seasoned practitioner seeking further inspiration, there is every reason to read it." -- David Stevens FSGD * Garden Design Journal *"Many will treasure this book and value John’s design advice and philosophy which remains completely relevant and forward looking today." -- Reckless Gardener"For those wishing to know more about how to design gardens, including their own, this inexpensive softback will act as mentor and guide." -- Ian Hodgson * Garden News *“The late John Brookes was one of the greatest 20th-century British garden designers and teachers. [This] is a collection of some of his best writings and lectures, lest we forget what a witty, opinionated, clever man he was, with an acute eye for topography and the local vernacular, and an unsnobbish sympathy for ordinary gardeners with small gardens. All these virtues are present in horticultural spades in this anthology.” -- Ursula Buchan * Spectator Best Gardening Books of 2021 *"Portmanteau collection of writings, some previously unpublished, by the great modernist space-maker." * Sunday Telegraph Gardening Books of the Year *"...reads as if garden designer John Brookes, who died in 2018, is sitting next to you talking…The essence of the book is a collection of writing, lectures, articles and thoughts that John had penned over more than 50 years. Brought together by Gwendolyn van Paasschen, Chair of the John Brookes Denmans Foundation, we are treated to John's far-ranging words. Gwendolyn has done a sterling job in bringing the disparate writings together, cleverly inserting her commentary to help guide the reader. The book does talk about design, structure, placement, context, clients, sketching, planting and so on. But it's the richness of all the other of John's observations that make it so much more. This book is simple in its delivery - it fits perfectly in your hands and is simply laid out. Pimpernel Press is to be applauded for publishing it.” -- Chris Young * The Horticulturalist *"The art, craft and science of garden making is illuminated by the writings of a handful of great garden designers such as the late John Brookes, whose revolutionary book on the subject, How to Design a Garden, was published this year, edited by Gwendolyn van Paasschen." -- Fionnuala Fallon * Irish Times *

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Book Synopsis'Clever... valuable introduction to the study of plant science.' - Gardeners IllustratedRHS Botany for Gardeners is more than just a useful reference book on the science of botany and the language of horticulture - it is a practical, hands-on guide that will help gardeners understand how plants grow, what affects their performance, and how to get better results. Illustrated throughout with beautiful botanical prints and simple diagrams, RHS Botany for Gardeners provides easy-to-understand explanations of over 3,000 botanical words and terms, and show how these can be applied to everyday gardening practice. For easy navigation, the book is divided into thematic chapters covering everything from Plant Pests, and further subdivided into useful headings such as 'Seed Sowing' and 'Pruning'. 'Botany in Action' boxes provide instantly accessible practical tips and advice, and feature spreads profile the remarkable individuals who collected, studied and illustrated the plants that we grow today. Aided by this book, gardeners will unlock the wealth of information that lies within the intriguing world of botanical science - and their gardens will thrive as a result. This is the perfect gift for any gardener.Contents Includes...The Plant kingdomGrowth, Form and FunctionInner WorkingsReproductionThe Beginning of LifeExternal FactorsPruningBotany and the SensesPest, Diseases and DisordersBotanists and Botanical Illustration... And Much More!

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Book SynopsisSimon Akeroyd is a gardener and skilled horticulturist who has written 30 gardening books, many for the RHS and two for DK (Shrubs and Small Trees 2008 and Lawns and Groundcover 2012). He's based in Surrey where he is gardening editor for Saga; prior to that he has worked at RHS gardens and for the National Trust.In 2022 he started a TikTok account dedicated to non-gardeners. His aim was to show just how easy and fun growing plants can be and that it's always worth a go. He's had huge engagement since, with his 'Grow kiwis from the supermarket' video receiving more than 31 million views.

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Book SynopsisAn eclectic collection of prose, poetry and practical advice for every day of the year. A mix of fact and fiction, fantasy and experience, the Bedside Companion for Gardeners is a treasure trove of green-fingered inspiration where practical advice blends seamlessly with poetry and prose from intrepid gardeners past and present. Dip in and out of this collection with an entry for every night of the year that draws on writing through the ages and from across the globe. The Bedside Companion for Gardeners incorporates practical advice from the 17th-century gardening diarist John Evelyn; inspiring prose from Elizabeth von Arnim and John Milton; astute commentary from Horace Walpole on William Kent and Nancy Mitford on the vulgarity of a Surrey garden. Kipling offers practical advice, while Tennyson waxes lyrical on an Arabian night garden. The perfect gift for any gardener, this magical book is an invaluable source of inspiration and guidance to revisit throughout the year. Trade Review‘A delightful read to escape into last thing at night’ – Paula McWaters -- Country Living‘The green-fingered will love this anthology’ -- Daily Express/Daily Mirror‘This thoughtful and inspiring selection offers a fresh perspective on our outdoor space’ * Sunday Express *

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Book SynopsisLucy Chamberlain has been cultivating edible produce since her teenage years, after being raised on her family's smallholding in Essex. She now grows more than 150 varieties of fruits, vegetables, and herbs year-round in her modern kitchen edible garden. Lucy has worked as Head Gardener at East Donyland Hall in Essex an 85-acre estate with a walled kitchen garden; as Editor of Grow Your Own magazine; and at RHS Garden Wisley. She co-hosts the podcast Talking Heads, authored RHS Step-by-Step Veg Patch (DK, 2012), and in 2023 won the award for Best Showcase Garden after co-designing a kitchen garden for the Gardeners' World Autumn Fair.

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Book SynopsisSarah Gerrard-Jones masterfully explores the psychology behind our attraction to houseplants, and the benefits of keeping plants in our homes, from the healing qualities of biophilic design to the philosophy of care.

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Book SynopsisMaster the art of growing miniature trees with this fun, jargon-free guide to bonsai.The Little Book of Bonsai will make you an instant expert in the art of growing miniature trees. It is packed with myth-busting surprises, the first of which is that growing bonsai really isn't as hard as most people think. In fact, they are no more difficult to look after than other pot plants, and easier than many. This book makes the job even easier by breaking down the subject into three clear sections: Getting Started, Ongoing Care and Species Profiles. Jargon-free text and dozens of photographs and diagrams make this the ideal guide for complete novices, as well as a handy companion for more experienced growers. Whether you want to grow from seed or source an established plant, everything you need to know is contained in this guide, which, like bonsai themselves, is small but perfectly formed.

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Book SynopsisNancy Birtwhistle is a Sunday Times bestselling author of Clean & Green, lifelong gardener and Hull-born baker who won the fifth series of The Great British Bake Off in 2014. Motivated by protecting the planet for her ten grandchildren, Nancy decided to change how she used plastic, single use products and chemicals in her home. Sharing her tips online, she amassed an engaged international following of devoted fans interested not only in her delicious recipes, but also her innovative ideas and time-saving swaps that rethink everyday house and garden tasks to make as little an impact on the environment as possible. Nancy worked as a GP practice manager in the NHS for thirty-six years until she retired in 2007. She lives in Lincolnshire with her husband, dogs and rescue hens.Trade ReviewNancy has done it again! The perfect read taking us back to basics in our gardens. As a beginner gardener I am now excited to get started, I'll be a pro by the end of the year! -- Sophie Liard, The Folding LadyI, like Nancy, am happiest in my garden. But I am yet to properly venture into growing food we actually eat because I am never quite sure if I am doing it right. Having Nancy's reassuring voice guide me through it all will fill me with the confidence needed to give it a whirl! When in a home or garden pickle, I often think, "What does Nancy say about this?" and there is always something to try! Everyone should have her collection of books at home! -- Daisy Upton, The Five Minute MumA readable chomp through the edible garden, this instant bestseller mixes sustainable hints, household tips and, as you’d expect, quick and tasty recipes. Warmly encouraging and bursting with good sense, there’s a lot to take-away from Nancy’s ‘good life’ garden. -- RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)

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Book SynopsisBackyards, rooftops, courtyards and balconies are sprouting with herbs, ballooning with fruit and bursting with vegies across our urban landscapes. Slowly, but we certainly believe surely, people are embracing the joy of gardening and the more relaxed lifestyle it brings. There is a change in the air and we are excited to watch it unfold. Enter the completely addictive world of urban growing, where you can pocket a slice of farm life in the city, even if just for a few minutes a day. Growing your own lemongrass for a mojito or rhubarb to make jam isn't just about producing food, rewarding though that is. It's an antidote to the relentless pursuit to 'do it all'. It doesn't matter the size of your space, or your skill, the garden is a place for everyone. Expert horticulturalist Byron Smith has created urban food oases in even the tiniest of plots and in this book he gives you the know-how to grow your favourite ingredients as well as killer recipes to make the most of your harvest. So tuck this book under your arm and grab a beverage with the other - the time to slow down and grow is now. The good life is waiting for you.

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Book SynopsisPhotography led guide to plastic free gardening. Includes extensive guidance and tips on how to create and maintain a beautiful flower garden and productive vegetable plot whilst helping to combat plastic pollution.

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Book SynopsisThe Gardener’s Year is a charming and light-hearted insight into the life of an amateur gardener. Structured loosely around what to plant, grow or cultivate each month, Karel Capek takes us on a rollicking journey through a year in his own small garden.Complete and unabridged. Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, pocket-sized classics with ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition features lively black and white illustrations by Czech artist Josef Capek and is translated by M. and R. Weatherall.From making puddles with an untamable hose to sowing luxuriant weeds instead of grass, Capek reveals how a gardener grows into his surroundings ‘spurred on by each new failure’. Subverting the tradition of a ‘how to’ gardening book, he teaches his readers about the magic of seeds, the perils of planting vegetables and the thrilling surprises of a rock garden. As the year progresses and frail buds turn from flowering stems to drooping bulbs and falling leaves, Capek’s small garden buzzes with life, wisdom and humour.Trade ReviewA work of great charm and considerable subtlety which requires no more of the reader than a willingness to agree that it is a pleasant thing to own and cultivate a small patch of ground * Literary Review *This is a book no gardener should be without. This delightful little book is cram full of information, philosophy, and humour. * Sunday Times *

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Book Synopsis''Bellamy makes gardening seem simple, expressive and joyful. Anyone can do it.'' - Evening StandardJam-red poppies, giant umbels of yellow-flowered fennel, inky blue Agastache, Euphorbia in inchworm green . . . imagine a small garden steeped in colour, where ground-hugging bumps of Teucrium and thyme are dotted with tall, diaphanous flowers; salvia, eryngium and single-flowered dahlias in saturated colours.The way we use colour in our outside spaces is changing. Colour-themed borders with planting strictly planned around the colour wheel, and seasonal colour highlights maintained to be kept ''just so'' have been replaced by changeable, textural planting using plants with different hefts and heights so that colour shifts throughout the seasons. Featuring inspirational real gardens, plant lists, a year-round planner and plenty of ideas for using colour inventively in containers, this book shares a new approach for using colour in small outdoor spaces.

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Book Synopsis'I thought I knew quite a bit about earthworms – until I picked up this charming little book' Nick Baker 'Many wonderful wormy tales unearthed by Coulthard' BBC Countryfile Magazine 'A gem of a book' Country Smallholding Without these little engineers of the earth, the world's soils would be barren, and our gardens and fields wouldn't be able to grow the food we need to survive. Worms recycle decaying plants, putting nutrients back into the soil; they provide a food source for wildlife; and their constant burrowing helps heavy rain soak away. Sally Coulthard's fascianting guide offers a wealth of information and practical advice about the world's msot industrious but little understood creature.Trade ReviewI thought I knew quite a bit about earthworms – until I picked up this charming little book... This is an easily digestible compendium of everything earthworm' -- Nick BakerSally Coulthard profiles these misunderstood creatures, offering a feast of quirky facts to answer all your curiosities * Grow Your Own *A jaunt through the life of the earthworm... A gem of a book' * Country Smallholding *Many wonderful wormy tales unearthed by Coulthard... [A] smart little book' * BBC Countryfile Magazine *A complete profile of earthworms by answering 50 questions and including practical advice and quirky facts * Garden Answers *A brilliant and detailed book on the vital role earthworms play in our gardens and fields, with a wealth of information on these hard-working and misunderstood creatures * Gardens Illustrated *

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Book SynopsisGrowing more mushrooms may be the best thing we can do to save the environment, and mushroom expert Paul Stamets explains how in this groundbreaking manual. The science goes like this: fine filaments of cells called mycelium, the fruit of which are mushrooms, already cover large areas of land around the world. As the mycelium grows, it breaks down plant and animal debris, recycling carbon, nitrogen, and other elements in the creation of rich new soil. What Stamets shows is that the enzymes and acids thatmycelium produces to decompose this debris are superb at breaking apart hydrocarbons--the base of many pollutants. Stamets discusses the various branches of this exciting new technology, including mycorestoration (biotransforming stripped land), mycofiltration (creating habitat buffers), myco-remediation (healing chemically harmed environments), and mycoforestry (creating truly sustainable forests)--From publisher description.

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Book Synopsis'RHS Small Garden Handbook...show[s] the process of planning, planting and maintaining an outdoor space that will lift your heart every time you step outside.' - The Independent 'Clear and practical principles of design' - BBC Gardens IllustratedA garden offers invaluable space for relaxing entertaining, and, above all, enjoying the huge pleasure of growing your own flowers, shrubs, trees, and crops. However, a small garden can present challenges to even the most experience gardener: it may be overlooked, which can impact upon your privacy; there may be more shade than you would like; and it may not be immediately obvious how to create a space that is both multifunctional and beautiful. RHS Small Garden Handbook provides an all-in-one guide for small space gardeners and draws on the experience in growing, planting, landscaping and design for which the RHS is world famous. It begins by explaining how to assess your plot so that you are aware of the soil, orientation, microclimate, existing materials and proportions that you have to work with, before revealing the principles of good design. Showing how your decisions on layout, colour and texture will affect the finished design and what tricks can be played to create a greater sense of space - with everything from expert design advice on boundaries, hedges and fences to clever ideas for containers and storage - every gardener will gain confidence in creating a garden to enjoy no matter how big the plot. Each of the nine chapters includes 15 ways to make instant improvements and a real-life case study to inspire change. All the gardens featured in the book's 300 photographs are accessible, achievable and truly inspirational.Contents Include:BasicsDesign StylesMaterialsBoundariesStructuresWater PlantingUpkeep... and much, much more!Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION BASICS 15 ways to... reveal your plot's potential; Getting to know the plot; Measuring the plot; Understanding your soil; Orientation and microclimate; Identifying plants and materials; Imprinting your style; Setting your agenda; Case study: A rooftop retreat. DESIGN 15 ways to... make an instant impact; Small garden: great opportunity; Principles of design; Layout and geometry; Space, volume and structure; Boundaries and screens; Mass and void, colour and texture; Colour in your garden; Texture in your garden; Applying the principles: roof gardens, basements, terraces, alleys, entrances; Functional and spacial needs; Case study: Screening the views. STYLES 15 ways to... find your style; Formal; Modernist; Arts and crafts; Japanese; Cottage; Urban; Mediterranean; Conceptualist; Eco; Exotic; Case study: Creating a style. MATERIALS 15 ways to... exploit materials; Choosing your materials: Function and decoration; Paving slabs, concrete, brick, setts, block paving, cobbles, decking, gravel; Simple rules of construction and drainage bullet points; Changes of level: steps and slopes; Impact of construction; Decorating with materials; Case study: Mastering materials. BOUNDARIES 15 ways to... buff up your of boundaries; Setting the boundaries; Boundary materials: fences, walls; Planting and boundaries; Case study: Hardworking boundaries. STRUCTURES 15 ways to... use garden structures; Storage solutions; Garden offices and conservatories; Green roofs and raised beds; Case study: Creating privacy and depth. WATER 15 ways to... enjoy water; Water features for every garden; Case study: Wild about water. PLANTING 15 ways to... improve your planting design; Planting habitats, Planting styles: Cottage, formal, modernist, Mediterranean, Japanese, English, foliage, naturalistic, productive, minilaist, conceptualist, sustainable; Long-term and short-term thinking, Putting plants together; Plant profiles; Specimen and design statements; Planting for reduced maintenance; Case study: Planting for privacy. UPKEEP 15 ways to... simplify your gardening; Seasonal jobs and regular maintenance; Simple propagation; Compost and fertilisers; Rubbish and recycling; Case study: The low-maintenance garden. INDEX AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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Book SynopsisDr Hayley Jones leads RHS research into slugs, a huge concern for many gardeners. Her mission is to find effective and environmentally friendly controls for problem slugs while educating people about them. Hayley is a fantastic communicator and shares the latest RHS research with members and the gardening public face-to-face at shows and events, through the RHS Gardening Advice service, through press interviews and more recently television appearances, such as on BBC Newsround.

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Book SynopsisGriselda Kerr has drawn on over 20 years of gardening knowledge and experience to create the book that she wishes she had had access to when, as a complete beginner, she started to revive the “dismal looking” plants in her garden - an indispensable, practical guide to how and when to look after more than 700 garden plants. No coffee table book this, it is designed for constant quick reference, to be used, perhaps as a stand-in for a knowledgeable friend, for advice on specific plants. Look up each plant in a specially formatted index spread across the year and a page reference will take you to a short, clearly written entry on what to do in a particular month - whether to clip, deadhead or divide, cut right down, feed, mulch or leave well alone. Each of these gardening techniques is also explained in a comprehensive glossary The Apprehensive Gardener is an attractive, durable, easy-to-use guide to plant care which will be referred to over and over again and will stand the test of time. Trade Review"An accumulation of 20 years' of practical gardening by the author...easy to use and very helpful." * International Dendrology Society journal *"This month-by-month guide is crammed with good advice and suggestions on the best plants to grow. A really useful guide for novice gardeners, written with charm and verve." * Daily Mail - Best Gardening Reads of 2019 *"A comprehensive, practical guide to growing and managing garden plants." * Gardens Illustrated *"New and more experienced gardeners will welcome this informative guide on when best to prune, feed, mulch, cut back or leave well alone. Excellent cross-referenced index." * Derbyshire Life *"[The author] has made everything she has learnt available to any of us who step outside with a pair of secateurs and wonder where to start." * Derbyshire Life *"Designed to be used either as a reference book - each plant mentioned appears in a comprehensive index that allows you to track its care through the year - or as a monthly guide...there is always something new to discover. I really liked this book." * The Chatty Gardener *"An accessible, easy-to-use and attractive guide to caring for the plants in your garden…a bit like having a knowledgeable gardening friend to hand." * Genus - Potpourri Newsletter *"Ideal for novices, this delightful book is divided into months of the year, covering maintenance, plant care and which areas of the garden to focus on, depending on the season. With a cheerful, encouraging tone, it contains a wealth of information." * Daily Mail *"A straightforward layout, easy to use and full of the kind of plant knowledge acquired through many years of testing and experimenting. Eminently practical...An essential reference book...it's highly recommended for horticultural students as well as for garden designers who need to know about particular plants, and is destined to become a classic." * Garden Design Journal *"Likely to prove itself invaluable to rooky gardeners and to those better experienced but who still describe themselves as "apprehensive" when it comes to practical gardening. I will give copies to two chums new to gardening and keep mine close at hand for quick and easy reference." * Hortus *"The internet can provide instant information, but it is so much more relaxing and enjoyable to leaf through a book on days when the weather is not welcoming outside...Set out as a compact easy-to-use reference, this book guides the reader month by month on exactly how and when to take care of individual plants and has an extensive index of 600 genera and 700 plants cross-referenced in the months where care and attention is needed." * Topiarius *"A novel format...An easy-to-use book." * The Irish Garden *"A quick reference guide to dealing with a variety of plants and problems in an easy to follow format, designed to reassure beginners and more experienced gardeners alike...Handy...helpful...extremely good value." * The Reckless Gardener *"An excellent guide to the practicalities of gardening." * House and Garden *"Griselda Kerr's impressive and useful tome on how to manage the plants one finds in the garden is a boon to the amateur....stuffed with sage advice...arm yourself with this guide and a pair of secateurs." * The Field *"Accessible and very much designed to be used with a muddy thumb...an ideal work for those who may have recently inherited an established garden, or who might wish to extend their garden practice." * The English Garden *"Griselda Kerr describes The Apprehensive Gardener as a crook to lean on - a guide to how to make the plants in your garden happy. Maintenance becomes a creative force in Griselda's hands and her tips are interesting and well presented." * Country Living *

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Book SynopsisThe title might sound like a bold statement, but you really will be able to garden by the end of this book. Whether you are a budding botanist or just aspire to have greener fingers, this book will hold your 'horticultural hand' and guide you gently through the principles of gardening. Whether you have a tiny courtyard or something a bit bigger, this book will share everything you need to know to create your own patch of horticultural heaven. With 12 easy-to-follow chapters that explore all the basics of successful, stress-free gardening including assessing and designing your garden, how to grow fruit and vegetables, plant maintenance, propagation, lawns and container garden. The 15 step-by-step techniques will teach you how to sow seeds, prune shrubs, cut a hedge, mow a lawn and even how to design your own outside space, plus so much more. Just as important, the book explains how to garden sustainably and encourage wildlife, so that you can make informed decisions when it comes to creating and maintaining your garden.

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Book SynopsisThis beautifully illustrated, large format volume features10 original garden designs created by award-winning designers and landscape architects. Accompanying the British Library's summer 2025 exhibition, the book includes reflections by several head gardeners of famous historic gardens on managing these gardens into the future.

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Book SynopsisAlan Toogood (Editor-in-Chief) is an experienced horticulturist. 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 and President of the Herb Society, known for her organic herb garden in Gloucestershire and renowned orchid expert Wilma Rittershausen.

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Book SynopsisA plant by plant pruning guide for perfect results With detailed advice on how to prune 180 trees, shrubs, and climbers plus 20 popular fruit crops, RHS Pruning Plant by Plant is the only pruning guide in this handy size to tell and show you exactly what you need to do plant by plant. The A-Z organisation helps you find the plant you''re looking for fast, while step-by-step instructions and diagrams make pruning fruit trees, shrubs, and climbing plants a simple and achievable process.RHS Pruning Plant by Plant is essential pruning advice for novices and experienced gardeners alike and its handy, compact format make it ideal for putting in your pocket when you''re heading to your garden or allotment.

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Book SynopsisThe Essential, New York Times–Bestselling Guide to Botany and Booze “A book that makes familiar drinks seem new again . . . Through this horticultural lens, a mixed drink becomes a cornucopia of plants.”—NPR's Morning Edition “Amy Stewart has a way of making gardening seem exciting, even a little dangerous.” —The New York Times Sake began with a grain of rice. Scotch emerged from barley, tequila from agave, rum from sugarcane, bourbon from corn. Thirsty yet? In The Drunken Botanist, Amy Stewart explores the dizzying array of herbs, flowers, trees, fruits, and fungi that humans have, through ingenuity, inspiration, and sheer desperation, contrived to transform into alcohol over the centuries.Of all the extraordinary and obscure plants that have been fermented and distilled, a few are dangerous, some are downright bizarre, and one is as ancient as dinosaurs—but each represents a unique cultural contribution to our global drinking traditions and our history.This fascinating concoction of biology, chemistry, history, etymology, and mixology—with more than fifty drink recipes and a new section on how to grow your very own cocktail garden—will make you the most popular guest at any cocktail party.Trade Review"Amy Stewart has a way of making gardening seem exciting, even a little dangerous." —The New York Times "Many boozy books have been published over the years, spilling over with fun facts about absinthe, grog and bathtub gin. What makes Stewart's book different is her infectious enthusiasm for the plants, their uses, their history, and the botanists who roamed the earth finding them. The result is intoxicating but in a fresh, happy, healthy way." —USA Today"The Drunken Botanist is a sipping book, not a quaffing book, best enjoyed in moderation...Part Ripley’s Believe It or Not, part compendium on the order of 'Schott’s Original Miscellany' and part botanical garden tour, albeit with a curated cocktail party at the end . . . a companionable reference and whimsical recitation of historical-botanical trivia, with a little tart debunking." —The Washington Post "Sipping an evening cocktail while flipping through this fine volume, I discovered that Ms. Stewart knew how to change a run-of-the-mill cocktail into an intriguing one." —The Wall Street Journal "A book that makes familiar drinks seem new again…Through this horticultural lens, a mixed drink becomes a cornucopia of plants." —NPR's Morning Edition "Fascinating, well researched and instructive — with appealing recipes too." —Rosie Schaap, New York Times "Gardening can be an intoxicating hobby, especially if the botany is booze-related." —The Associated Press"Amy Stewart has a way of making gardening seem exciting, even a little dangerous." —The New York Times "Many boozy books have been published over the years, spilling over with fun facts about absinthe, grog and bathtub gin. What makes Stewart's book different is her infectious enthusiasm for the plants, their uses, their history, and the botanists who roamed the earth finding them. The result is intoxicating but in a fresh, happy, healthy way." —USA Today"The Drunken Botanist is a sipping book, not a quaffing book, best enjoyed in moderation...Part Ripley’s Believe It or Not, part compendium on the order of 'Schott’s Original Miscellany' and part botanical garden tour, albeit with a curated cocktail party at the end . . . a companionable reference and whimsical recitation of historical-botanical trivia, with a little tart debunking." —The Washington Post "Sipping an evening cocktail while flipping through this fine volume, I discovered that Ms. Stewart knew how to change a run-of-the-mill cocktail into an intriguing one." —The Wall Street Journal "A book that makes familiar drinks seem new again…Through this horticultural lens, a mixed drink becomes a cornucopia of plants." —NPR's Morning Edition "Fascinating, well researched and instructive — with appealing recipes too." —Rosie Schaap, New York Times "Gardening can be an intoxicating hobby, especially if the botany is booze-related." —The Associated Press"Amy Stewart has a way of making gardening seem exciting, even a little dangerous."—The New York Times"Many boozy books have been published over the years, spilling over with fun facts about absinthe, grog and bathtub gin. What makes Stewart's book different is her infectious enthusiasm for the plants, their uses, their history, and the botanists who roamed the earth finding them. The result is intoxicating but in a fresh, happy, healthy way."—USA Today"The Drunken Botanist is a sipping book, not a quaffing book, best enjoyed in moderation...Part Ripley’s Believe It or Not, part compendium on the order of 'Schott’s Original Miscellany' and part botanical garden tour, albeit with a curated cocktail party at the end . . . a companionable reference and whimsical recitation of historical-botanical trivia, with a little tart debunking."—The Washington Post"Sipping an evening cocktail while flipping through this fine volume, I discovered that Ms. Stewart knew how to change a run-of-the-mill cocktail into an intriguing one."—The Wall Street Journal"A book that makes familiar drinks seem new again…Through this horticultural lens, a mixed drink becomes a cornucopia of plants."—NPR's Morning Edition"Fascinating, well researched and instructive — with appealing recipes too."—Rosie Schaap, The New York Times"Gardening can be an intoxicating hobby, especially if the botany is booze-related."—The Associated Press

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Book Synopsis'Britain's ten million acres of private gardens add up to a vital haven for wildlife. Chock-a-block with ideas for encouraging wildlife into your plot, this pocket-sized book tells you how to make your off-street parking wildlife-friendly, why you should welcome wasps into the garden and whether you should let ladybirds overwinter in your home. One for budding David Attenboroughs.' - Mail on SundayForeword written by Isabella Tree of the Knepp Wildland Project.RHS How Can I Help Hedgehogs? offers more than 100 ideas for you to help wildlife thrive in your garden. Packed with simple, low-cost ideas that will make a huge difference to the natural world, the book suggests ways to help birds, bees, butterflies, beetles and many other declining species.Hopeful, informative and entertaining, with plenty of 'I-never-knew-that' mini-features, this is a book you and your family need, and one that you'll all enjoy, too. Includes topics such as how to increase the biodiversity of your plot and how to improve your soil without using chemicals.Includes...- Can I make my garden bat-friendly?- Do green roofs work?- Why should I love my weeds?- Should I keep honey bees?- Which flowers are friendliest for moths?- Where's best for a bird box?- Is garden lighting disruptive?...and many more.Trade ReviewBritain's ten million acres of private gardens add up to a vital haven for wildlife. Chock-a-block with ideas for encouraging wildlife into your plot, this pocket-sized book tells you how to make your off-street parking wildlife-friendly, why you should welcome wasps into the garden and whether you should let ladybirds overwinter in your home. One for budding David Attenboroughs. * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisRHS Puzzles & Brain Teasers for Gardeners is a beautifully illustrated collection of 100 quizzes and puzzles to test the horticultural and botanical knowledge of gardeners and plant lovers everywhere. Testing everything from your knowledge of the creatures in your garden, to your ability to name the tools in the tool shed, as well as plenty of of no-knowledge-required gardening-themed logic puzzles, this is the perfect gift for the gardener in your life, no matter their experience level. Quizzes include:- 12 'Planting Calendar' word searches based on what to plant in each month of the year- Match the leaf to the plant- Which horticultural hero am I?

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Book SynopsisExplore the mystery of what makes us love gardening, via history, science, art and philosophy. Whether you seek sanctuary in your potting shed, find paradise amongst your patio plants or enjoy the simple solace of your hands in the soil, there is beauty, peace and happiness to be found for every gardener in this thoughtful and entertaining collection. Both a hymn to gardening and a call to action, this down-to-earth guide is worth a hundred 'how-tos'. Wander the gardens of Giverny with Monet to create your own 'beautiful masterpiece' or, like George Orwell, reap the joy to be found in the work of a vegetable plot. Discover the soothing symmetry in the spiral of sunflower seeds, or, like William Morris, provide a wild abundance for the natural visitors to your garden. Drawing inspiration from gardening greats – from the ancient Greek and French philosophers Epicurus and Voltaire, via the wisdom of Margery Fish and Gertrude Jekyll, to Monty Don and modern-day guerrilla gardeners – this beautifully illustrated compilation is a thoughtful gift for any gardener.Trade Review‘Unusual and compelling … Highly recommended’ The Field ‘[Claire] deftly unpicks complex concepts that will leave you thinking long after the book is closed; the mark of a consummate writer. This is a book for every bedside table’ The English Garden 'A lovely read to enjoy whilst sitting on your patio this spring’ Wildflower ‘This is a lovely little book’ Blackberry Garden Blog ‘Soothing and eloquent … a labour of love, as alluring to look at, with colourful illustrations packing the pages, as it is to read.’ Barney Bardsley, Yorkshire Magazine ‘Thoughtful’ Gardens Illustrated

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