Gardening Books

Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisHouse plants aren't just for decoration, they offer a rare opportunity to find joy by caring for another living being.

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Book SynopsisNymans forms one of a group of gardens in the Sussex Weald which were created before the First World War and are still beautiful today, their owners sharing a passion for new material brought back from all over the world by intrepid plant hunters. Ludwig Messel bought Nymans in 1890 and, with his head gardener, James Comber, began extensive planting of exotics, determined to prove that many supposedly tender plants could grow outdoors in Sussex. After 1915, his son, Leonard, carried on planting and raising new hybrids. In 1954 the garden was bequeathed to the National Trust. This historic garden is undoubtedly one of our national treasures and this book pays tribute to its history and beauty.

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Book SynopsisGarden like Mother Nature, with an organic system that’s good for plants and good for people.   Say good-bye to backaches and weed problems!  Lee Reich’s organic Weedless Gardening eschews the traditional yearly digging up and working over of the soil. It’s is an easy-to-follow, low-impact approach to planting and maintaining a flower garden, a vegetable patch, trees, and shrubs naturally. 'If you love to knock yourself out digging beds, buy a better shovel. If you're looking for a no-nonsense alternative, buy this book!' -Ketzel Levine, National Public Radio's Doyenne of Dirt)'Thoroughly practical, easy-to-follow guide to good gardening Lee Reich make it sound simple, and if you follow his methods and philosophy, it is.' -Dora Galitzki, Gardening Columnist, The New York Times, and Author of The Gardener's Essential Companion'Finally, a book filled with science-based info

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Book SynopsisReflects the research on plants, soils, tools, and techniques. This title contains information on planning a garden, recommended plants, and best tools. It addresses the ecological issues, covering lawn alternatives, the benefits of native species, wildlife-friendly gardens, and how to avoid harmful invasive species.

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Book SynopsisHundreds of organic gardening tips and homespun remedies that come only from season after season of experience—a perfect gift for the green thumb. Born of necessity and ingenuity and honed through years of “trowel and error,” these helpful hints include environmentally friendly ammunition against weeds and pests, shortcuts for cultivation and propagation, and clever uses for curious household items. And every page is charmingly illustrated with Sharon Lovejoy's watercolor art.Find tips such as: Take a shower with your houseplants Cure plant viruses with milk Recycle an old wheelbarrow into a movable flower bed Use empty citrus fruit rinds as seedling pots

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Book SynopsisFrom houseplants and succulents to container gardens and vegetable patches, track your gardening progress and plot your growing dreams in this charming, cheeky plant journal. Container gardeners, newly-minted homesteaders and eager plant parents rejoice! Full of informative sidebars, guided growth charts, recommended varietals and adorable illustrations, I Love My Plants is a unique and useful journal for keeping up with your green thumb. This concealed spiral-bound journal is as practical as it is beautiful, with three notched sections for easy reference, fresh tips for keeping plants thriving and a durable, matte-laminated cover. With room to track progress for both indoor and outdoor plants, as well as sections for free-form writing and planning, I Love My Plants is the perfect addition to any indoor, or outdoor, gardener''s toolkit.

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Book SynopsisThis book is a survey of 12 breathtakingly beautiful gardens by award-winning photographer Andre Baranowski, whose eye for beauty will embolden readers the world over to embrace their inner instincts and create their own garden wild.The new movement in contemporary gardening is about going back to the wilderness, creatively landscaping with native plants to enrich their environments and seamlessly merge with their natural surroundings. Politely rejecting traditional manicured, hedged and pruned gardening aesthetics to invite an alternative kind of beauty: wildly bursting with indigenous plants, old-growth trees, vibrant patches of wildflowers and perennials, succulents, un-pruned bushes and ornamental grasses. New York City''s Highline is a famous example and this landscaping approach is becoming increasingly popular for private homeowners. This book surveys twelve such breathtaking gardens captured by award winning photographer Andre Baranowski. The featured gardens range from small private residencies to large properties, by renowned landscapers such as Oehme van Sweden, Fernando Caruncho, Jorge Sanchez, and Piet Oudolf. The texts detail each project''s approach and the hurdles presented by its landscape, providing the reader with an array of instructional ideas from an insider''s mindset. Guaranteed to be a boundless source of inspiration and treasured by lovers of gardens worldwide.

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Book SynopsisColourful and hardy succulents meet the simple principles of Japanese Bonsai and Ikebana in this unique guide to container gardening.Trade Review"The floral arrangements presented in the alluring guide to growing succulents in small containers are both idiosyncratic and striking…The sophisticated designs draw on a variety of textures--such as the long, dangly string of pearl plant; leafy little missy; and spikes of the silver pet plant, particularly for the hanging plants. These distinctive plantings are not for novices, but they will beckon to those who find ikebana and bonsai appealing, and to the cactus-loving crowd." --Publishers Weekly"I'm delighted with both the beautifully photographed designs and instructions! From hanging containers to tabletop displays and wall gardens, this book is filled with fantastic projects and ideas. This is the perfect way to introduce a little artistry and horticulture into idle, summer vacation days." --The Gardener's Eden"Beautifully illustrated throughout, Stylish Succulents carefully explains every showcased design by using detailed step-by-step photos." --Midwest Book Review

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Book SynopsisContainer Succulents is the perfect book for container gardening beginners who don't have a lot of space to work with. The beautiful photographs of succulent decor are sure to inspire your inner gardener, interior designer and all-around house plant lover.

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Book SynopsisThe lives of bees are interwoven with our own, but how much do you know about them?Which scents do bees prefer? How do bees transport pollen? How far can bees fly? Do specific colours attract bees? Do bees prefer native flowers? Bees are a delight to see in the garden on warm summer days, buzzing as they flit from flower to flower. They are also vital for the future of the planet and without their dedicated pollinating skills, many crops would eventually fail. Then there is honey a near-miraculous elixir that in earlier generations was an integral part of life as a sweetener and food preserver. It can be fermented with water and yeast to create mead, a drink that has been enjoyed for thousands of years. The Bee-Kind Garden reveals the many facets of the lives of bees, including their hives, flight patterns and defence. It is filled with helpful information on important topics such as which flowers are best for attracting bees to your garden, beekeeping equipment and guidTrade ReviewA charming little book for anyone who wants a gentle introduction to the world of honeybees, with a surprising amount of useful information about gardening for bees. * Ken Thompson, author of No Nettles Required *It is a true feast for the eye and a beautiful stocking filler for anyone interested about bees, their remarkable story and the relationship humans have long had with them * Postive News *The Bee-Kind Garden is a sweet, illustrated book. The information it contains is in nugget-sized chunks and it does not go too in-depth for the bee novice. It certainly illustrates that there is a lot more to bee keeping then just getting their honey! * Wildlife Trust *This book is a godsend to anyone who is stumped about what to buy a beekeeper for a birthday or Christmas present. * The Honey Press *Table of ContentsIntroduction Getting to know bees Attracting bees Where do bees live? Bee-keeping equipment Talking to bees Honey, mead and wax Proverbs, limericks and verse Index

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Book Synopsis“With the twinned calamities of climate change and mass extinction weighing heavier and heavier on my nature-besotted soul, here were concrete, affordable actions that I could take, that anyone could take, to help our wild neighbors thrive in the built human environment. And it all starts with nothing more than a seed. Bringing Nature Home is a miracle: a book that summons butterflies.' —Margaret Renkl, The Washington Post  As development and habitat destruction accelerate, there are increasing pressures on wildlife populations. In his groundbreaking book Bringing Nature Home, Douglas W. Tallamy reveals the unbreakable link between native plant species and native wildlife—native insects cannot, or will not, eat alien plants. When native plants disappear, the insects disappear, impoverishing the food source for birds and other animals. Luckily, there is an important and simple step we can all take to help reverse this aTrade ReviewAn informative and engaging account of the ecological interactions between plants and wildlife, this fascinating handbook explains why exotic plants can hinder and confuse native creatures, from birds and bees to larger fauna. -- Ann Lovejoy Seattle Post-Intelligencer 20071011 I want to mention how excited I am about reading Bringing Nature Home. ... I like the writing - enthusiastic and down-to-earth, as it should be. -- Elizabeth Licata Garden Rant 20071114 An eloquently written theory, offering recommendations for conservation to gardeners everywhere. Buffalo Spree 20071201 We all know where resistance to natives, reliance on pesticides, and the cult of the lawn still reign supreme: suburban America. And suburban America is where Doug Tallamy aims the passionate arguments for natives and their accompanying wildlife contained in his wonderful book. -- Elizabeth Licata Garden Rant 20071202 Filled with beautiful photographs of insects, plants, and birds and hard data presented in an easy-to-read style, 'Bringing Nature Home' will persuade all of us to take a look at what is in our own yards with an eye to how we, too, can make a difference. It has already changed me. -- Kay Charter Traverse City Record-Eagle 20071205 Makes a powerful case for native plants in our landscapes. This is a fascinating look at how importing exotic plants into your garden can negatively affect native birds, bees, and wildlife. Tallamy offers an engaging argument for the power of gardeners to contribute to maintaining biodiversity. -- Maia Eisen Tacoma East King Trailhead 20070101 A fascinating study of the trees, shrubs, and vines that feed the insects, birds, and other animals in the suburban garden. -- Anne Raver New York Times 20071206 Tallamy explains eloquently how native plant species depend on native wildlife. ... Dedicated gardeners will find his descriptions of the plants and insects (bird food) interesting. San Luis Obispo Tribune 20071221 This book not only shows how important native plants are but also how easy they can be to incorporate into a landscape plan. -- Marianne Binetti Seattle Post-Intelligencer 20071206 A book that plant lovers as well as insect lovers can enjoy. Wild Foods Forum 20080101 Tallamy builds his case with research-based facts enhanced with engaging personal stories. ... [He] offers inspirational native design ideas with a focus on creating balanced landscapes and increasing biodiversity. ... Logical and convincing, this book is an essential guide for anyone interested in increasing biodiversity in the garden. -- Deborah Smith-Fiola American Gardener 20080101 Filled with beautiful photographs of insects, plants, birds, and hard data presented in an easy-to-read style, Bringing Nature Home is a book every conservationist should read carefully. -- Kay Charter Windstar Wildlife Institute Blog 20080203 Tallamy's tome is school-in-a-book for the nursery acquisitions person, the plant aficionado, the individual looking for the most effective and sensible way to grow a natural garden and support the environment. Bloomin' News 20080301 What a delight ... to acknowledge that the voice of reason - and an eloquent one at that - has entered the fray. ... Fascinating insight that's presented in an engaging manner perfectly tuned for gardeners of every stripe. ... Worth your while. -- Felicia Parsons Northern Gardener 20080301 If you cut down the goldenrod, the wild black cherry, the milkweed and other natives, you eliminate the larvae, and starve the birds. This simple revelation about the food web - and it is an intricate web, not a chain - is the driving force in Bringing Nature Home. -- Anne Raver New York Times 20080306 With Carsonic remonstrance, Tallamy communicates a hopeful message: it's not too late to save the ecological community of fauna and the answer is as simple as replacing foreign plants with natives. -- John Bagnasco Garden Compass 20080401 This informative book delivers an important message for all gardeners: Choosing native plants fortifies birds and other wildlife and protects them from extinction. -- Jessie H. Barry Wild Bird 20080501 I rank this as the most important gardening book I've read. It's about ecology and about gardening, but it's more than that. It's both inspiring and sobering. -- Janet Allen Upstate Gardeners' Journal 20080301 Easy, thought-provoking, and stimulating to read. -- Ilene Sternberg Green Scene 20080501 Reading this book will give you a new appreciation for the natural world - and how much wild creatures need gardens that mimic the disappearing wild. -- Val Cunningham Minneapolis Star Tribune 20080611 Provides the rationale behind the use of native plants, a concept that has rapidly been gaining momentum. The impact on our environment is huge. The text makes a case for native plants and animals in a compelling and complete fashion. -- Joel M. Lerner Washington Post 20080628 People in the gardening world are calling Douglas W. Tallamy's book on native plants the next Silent Spring, Rachel Carson's 1962 book that warned of the dangers of chemical pesticides and helped launch the modern-day environmental movement. -- Bill Cary Westchester Journal News 20081107 I am reading [this] with great enjoyment. ... I am finding new ideas in his book and continued inspiration to talk about the problems and the answers. -- Judy Brinkerhoff Petaluma Argus-Courier 20081106 [A] book that opened my eyes. ... Tallamy illustrates well how gardeners have contributed greatly to tipping the environment off balance and how they are equally able to turn the trend. -- David Bare Statesville Record & Landmark 20081227 Opens our eyes to an environmental problem of staggering proportions. Fortunately, it also shows us how we can help. -- Judy Brinkerhoff Petaluma Argus-Courier 20090507 You can look at this book as a manifesto explaining why we should favor native plants, but it's much more than that. It's a plan to sustain the endangered biodiversity and even more, it's a plan to transform suburbia from an environmental liability to an environmental asset. -- Raz Godelnik Eco-Libris Blog 20090608 A delight to read and a most needed resource. -- Cheryl Cadwell Warwick Beacon (Warwick, RI) 20090723 This book will not only foster a love of the outdoors in all who read it, but also create a deeper understanding and appreciation of the intricate web of wildlife outside your door. -- Andy Bennett Cabin Life 20090901 We may not be aware that there is more to the need for natives than concern about invasive species that upset an ecosystem. According to Tallamy, a balanced ecosystem needs more insects. It is when the balance of the system is disrupted that problems arise. -- Pat Leuchtman Recorder 20081213 A call to arms. There is not much ordinary citizens can do to create large new preserves. But we can make better use of the small green spaces we have around our houses. While the situation in the United States is quite serious, Tallamy offers options that anyone with a garden, even a postage-stamp-sized one like mine, can do to help. -- Tammar Stein St. Petersburg Times 20090124 Tallamy makes such a compelling case for the importance of insects to birds that I've completely changed the way I garden. From now on, insect attractors are my first choices. -- Val Cunningham Birding Business 20081201 Illustrates well how gardeners have contributed greatly to tipping the environment off balance and how they are equally able to turn the trend. ... Plants and insects are integrally intertwined. Understanding the beauty of these relationships deepens our appreciation of our gardens and the important role we play. -- David Bare Winston-Salem Journal 20081227 The book that is going to change how gardening is conducted over the next century. Ants, Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Nature Blog 20090508 Doug Tallamy's book is a gift. It's not the kind of gift wrapped with a pink ribbon and a tiny rose tucked into the bow. It's the kind of gift that shakes you to your core and sets you on the path of healing. Your garden. Your planet. One plant at a time. Open it. -- Kathryn Hall Plant Whatever Brings You Joy 20090908 Buy, borrow, or steal this book! It is essential reading with ideas that need to become part of our understanding of how life works on this planet. Prairie Moon Nursery Blog 20090925 This is the 'it' book in certain gardening circles. It's really struck a nerve. -- Virginia A. Smith Philadelphia Inquirer 20091218 My book of choice of the year. -- Sally Cunningham Buffalo News 20091218

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisThe Garden Visitor's Handbook 2021 is the National Garden Scheme's annual essential garden-visiting guide to more than 3,500 locations in England and Wales, supporting nursing and health charities.Trade ReviewEssential guide . . . an invitation to a year of happy visiting -- Robin Lane Fox * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisBritain''s favourite gardener Alan Titchmarsh has also been the most popular contributor to Gardeners'' World magazine for the last twenty years.This collection of his very best columns, demonstrates just why he is regularly voted the readers'' favourite. His brilliant writings are, in turn, practical - just how far back should we prune our roses? - opinionated - I always rail at people who go out on a Sunday afternoon to tidy their gardens. I mean, a garden is not a sock drawer - cheeky - I have a theory that gardeners grow to look like their soil and wistful - You''ve got to be a bit of a dreamer to get the most out of your garden.So lay down your trowel, take off your wellies, sit back and enjoy a bit of quintessential Titchmarsh.Trade ReviewPraise for KNAVE OF SPADES, Alan's latest volume of memoirs: * ... *This book is a sheer delight and the humour and wry, self-effacing descriptive energy make it a total page-turner * Sun *Alan Titchmarsh talks about his career with warmth, humour and an enthusiasm that never wanes * Woman's Weekly *

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Book Synopsis'A wonderfully uplifting holistic book with many practical tips' - Mark Lane, BBC Gardener's World presenter and landscape gardener'A delightful introduction for those wanting to learn ... how to reap the benefits that plants and gardens can have on our own health and wellbeing' - Sally Petitt, Head of Horticulture, Cambridge University Botanic Garden--- Getting outside, our hands in the earth, watching plants bud then burst into bloom: the slow pleasures of gardening are an age-old tonic for the soul.From sowing seeds to deadheading flowers, growing your own potatoes to welcoming feathered friends into your own garden, discover the joy to be found in every moment of gardening by slowing down, observing nature and planning ahead for the seasons.Happiest when surrounded by plants, Ellen Mary is passionate advocate for the benefits of nature for wellbeing, spreading the word through The Plant Based Podcast and her regular talks.The Joy of Gardening includes:· Understanding your soil· How to sow seeds and care for young plants· Tips for recycling and reducing waste in your garden· How to encourage wildlife into your garden· Harvesting and cooking with fresh produce· Choosing and planting trees for both small and larger gardens· And much, much more!Trade ReviewA wonderfully uplifting holistic book with many practical tips, but more importantly a better understanding of our own place in the world, our outdoor space, understanding our limitations, our failures and rewarding ourselves at every stage. Written from the inception of an outdoor space to harvesting and rewarding yourself, the analogy to life has been very carefully thought through. This is a pocket-sized book, ideal for taking into the garden with you, and written in a very positive way. Wellbeing and mindfulness tips are scattered throughout but have been artfully added at specific points throughout your gardening journey that make them seem easier to understand and implement. I read the book from start to finish in one go and realised that all the stresses of the day had disappeared, but the gardener can easily dip in and out, especially when they need to stop in the moment and require a wellbeing exercise, or simply an affirmation that it is good to be outside. The wonderful illustrations also make the book feel very readable.I discovered myself while reading the book and reawakened thoughts and mindful actions. This is a whizz of a book!(Mark Lane, BBC Gardener's World presenter and landscape designer) -- Mark Lane, BBC Gardener's World presenter and landscape designer * Mark Lane *We're all becoming much more aware of the benefits of green spaces, and gardening offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with and observe the world in which we live, while also improving our own wellbeing. In The Joy of Gardening Ellen Mary combines practical hints and tips for nurturing and caring not just for our gardens and their plants, but also for ourselves. Presented in a gentle, accessible style this book is a delightful introduction for those wanting to learn not only how to garden, but also how to reap the benefits that plants and gardens can have on our own health and wellbeing.(Sally Petitt, Head of Horticulture, Cambridge University Botanic Garden) -- Sally Petitt, Head of Horticulture, Cambridge University Botanic Garden * Sally Petitt *As a scientist and home gardener, I am passionate about promoting the evidence-based health benefits of gardening. Ellen Mary brilliantly uses gardening as a metaphor for human health. Ellen provides many practical growing tips for a healthy you, wildlife and the planet.(Professor Alistair Griffiths, Director of Science & Collections, Royal Horticultural Society) -- Prof Alistair Griffiths, Director of Science & Collections, Royal Horticultural Society * Professor Alistair Griffiths *

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Book SynopsisA follow-up to Black Dog's bestselling Country Wisdom and Know-How, the Country Wisdom Almanac provides hundreds of ideas and methods for living the good and simple life, plus information on weather, gardening, buying produce and cooking by season, holidays, frost dates, moon phases, and more. Divided into the four seasons and then organized into 373 individual tips, the Country Wisdom Almanac presents a wide variety of ways to live a simpler, more self-sustained life year round. Each season offers home-improvement ideas (wallpaper a room in the Fall or build a stone wall in the Spring), crafts (create gorgeous homemade decorations for Christmas, Halloween, or the Fourth of July), recipes (use seasonal produce to create fresh, healthy meals), gardening advice (what and when to plant in order to get the maximum results from your land), and more. Also included is year-round advice on caring for pets, creating your own health and beauty remedies, canning and preserving food, and more. Each season opens with a list of holidays and a guide to in-season produce. Appendices cover average weather by city and month, frost dates, and moon phases.

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Book SynopsisIn our technology-driven, workaday world, connecting with nature has never before been more essential. A Wilder Life, a beautiful oversized lifestyle book by the team behind the popular Wilder Quarterly, gives readers indispensable ideas for interacting with the great outdoors. Learn to plant a night-blooming garden, navigate by reading the stars, build an outdoor shelter, make dry shampoo, identify insects, cultivate butterflies in a backyard, or tint your clothes with natural dyes. Like a modern-day Whole Earth Catalog, A Wilder Life gives us DIY projects and old-world skills that are being reclaimed by a new generation. Divided into sections pertaining to each season and covering self-reliance, growing and gardening, cooking, health and beauty, and wilderness, and with photos and illustrations evocative of the great outdoors, A Wilder Life shows that getting in touch with nature is possible no matter who you are and—more important—where you are.Trade Review“The new book that’s becoming our natural beauty obsession. . . . It’s a comprehensive, coffee table–worthy, DIY project–packed manual for enjoying all four seasons through interaction with nature—including recipes (foraged elderflower champagne! Pumpkin butter!), gardening and home tips. . . . It’s also a particularly good resource for natural-beauty buffs.”—Vogue.com “Wander through the pages of A Wilder Life in awe and appreciation. . . . [The book] urges readers to garden with a purpose—to stew, brew, can and pot. . . . . Nature isn’t just a screen saver. It’s a soul saver.” —The New York Times Book Review “Will smarten up any side table.”—Domino “A beautiful, informative, thoughtful compilation of facts, recipes, DIY instructions, and more—a book designed to put you a little more in touch with nature and a lot more in touch with yourself.”—Organic Lifestyle Magazine

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Book SynopsisWhether you live on a small suburban lot or have a many acres in the country, this inspiring collection will empower you to increase your self-sufficiently and embrace a more independent lifestyle. A variety of authors share their specialized knowledge and provide practical instructions for basic country skills like preserving vegetables, developing water systems, keeping farm animals, and renovating barns. From sharpening an axe to baking your own bread, you’ll be amazed at the many ways learning traditional skills can enrich your life.Table of ContentsTopics include: The Home; Buying, building, fixing, and landscaping a home; Alternative heating and energy; The Garden, Yard & Orchard; Vegetable, flower, and herb garden plans and ideas; Advice for building greenhouses and garden structures; Cooking and Stocking Up; Time-tested recipes & cooking skills such as baking bread/ making maple syrup; Barnyards, Stables, and Fields; Building and maintaining barns, sheds, and outbuildings; Caring for common farm and ranch animals, and pets

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Book SynopsisOffering boundless possibilities for cleverly decorating small areas indoors and out, container gardening is fun and easy. This practical guide covers everything you need to know to design and maintain your own container garden, including illustrated step-by-step instructions for choosing the best container for each plant, creating seasonal planting schemes, and a variety of proven growing techniques. With detailed profiles of more than 100 plants, you’ll be inspired to experiment and add creative touches to your thriving and beautiful container garden.

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Book SynopsisCreate the flower garden of your dreams. This comprehensive guide includes expert advice on everything from choosing an appropriate growing site to maximizing the lifespan of your plants. Charming illustrations and photographs accompany helpful tips on how to improve soil, fight off pests, and make all your flowers bloom with radiant color. Whether you’re a beginning gardener or a seasoned florist, The Flower Gardener’s Bible is a useful resource that will help you keep your garden healthy and beautiful for years to come.

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