Organic gardening / Sustainable gardening Books

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 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 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 SynopsisFull of useful tips and practical garden wisdom, this straightforward guide shows you everything you need to know to grow a more bountiful harvest with less work. Stressing the utility of raised beds and wide rows, gardening expert Dick Raymond shares his time-tested techniques for preparing the soil, starting plants, and controlling weeds. With helpful photographs, clear charts, and profiles of reliable garden vegetables, Joy of Gardening will inspire you to grow your best crop ever.

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Book SynopsisCreate a gorgeous lawn that is free of harsh chemicals. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to grow and maintain a thriving lawn using organic gardening methods. With expert advice on planting the best grass varieties, nourishing the soil, watering, fighting weeds, and sustainable maintenance, Paul Tukey helps you create a luscious and inviting lawn that is pesticide-free and safe for your children and pets.

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Book SynopsisThis is your down-to-earth, complete manual for achieving great gardening results with your own rich, organic soil!How do you recognize healthy soil? How much can your existing soil be improved? What are the best amendments to use for your soil? Let Building Soil answer your questions and be your guide on gardening from the ground up! Fertilizing, tilling, weed management, and irrigation all affect the quality of your soil. Using author Elizabeth Murphy's detailed instructions, anyone can become a successful soil-based gardener, whether you want to start a garden from scratch or improve an existing garden.If you want methods that won't break your back, are good for the environment, and create high-yielding and beautiful gardens of all shapes and sizes, this is the book for you! Create classic landscape gardens, grow a high-yielding orchard, nurture naturally beautiful lawns, raise your household veggies, or run a profitable farm. A soil-based approach allows you to see not just the plants, but the living system that grows them. Soil-building practices promote more ecologically friendly gardening by reducing fertilizer and pesticide use, sequestering greenhouse gases, and increasing overall garden productivity.Building Soil is a simple book full of practical, up-to-date information about building healthy soils. Simple methods perfect for the home gardener's use put healthy, organic soil within everyone's reach. You don't need a degree in soil management to understand this book; you only need a yard or garden and the desire to improve it at the most basic level.

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Book SynopsisBarbara Ellis provides expert answers for all of your toughest vegetable-growing questions. Designed to be used as an in-the-garden reference, this sturdy little volume is packed with helpful information on everything from planning a garden and sowing seeds to battling pests and harvesting organic crops. With clever tricks to cut down on weed growth, secrets for maximizing production in confined growing spaces, and fail-safe watering guidelines, you’ll have the know-how and inspiration to grow your most abundant vegetable garden ever.

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Book SynopsisSmith’s legendary high-yield gardening method emphasizes wide rows, organic methods, raised beds, and deep soil. Succeed with fussy plants, try new and unusual varieties, and learn how to innovatively extend your growing season. With thorough profiles of hundreds of popular varieties, The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible provides expert information and an inspiring roadmap for gardeners of all skill levels to enjoy abundant homegrown vegetables.

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Book Synopsis“No matter the size or shape of your growing area, this will guide you through creating a butterfly-friendly space.” —Mother Earth News Welcome the world’s most exquisite visitors to your garden! Gardening for Butterflies, by the experts at the Xerces Society, introduces you to a variety of butterflies who need our help, and shows you how to design a habitat where they will thrive. This optimistic call to arms is packed with everything you need to create a beautiful, pollinator-friendly garden. You will learn why butterflies matter, why they are in danger, and what simple steps we can take to make a difference. You'll also learn how to choose the right plants and how to create a garden that flutters and flourishes with life.

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Book SynopsisWhen the inspiration hits to start an organic garden, many novices could benefit from a guidebook that speaks directly to their enthusiasm, their goals, and, of course, their need for solid information that speaks a newbie's language—from the most trusted source for organic gardening methods.In Rodale's Basic Organic Gardening by Deborah L. Martin, general garden-building skills (from "Do I need to dig?" to "Where do I dig?") and specific techniques (from "How do I plant a seed?" to "How much should I water?") are presented in growing-season order—from garden planning and planting to growing and harvesting. Many other need-to-know topics like soil, compost, seeds, pest control, and weeds are explained in simple language to ensure success, even on a small scale, on the first try. More than 100 common garden terms are defined, and Smart Starts sidebars offer doable projects to build confidence and enthusiasm for expanding a garden when a gardener is ready. A flower, vegetable, and herb finder highlights easycare plants with good track records. Plus, there are no-dig garden methods, simple garden layouts, and many more tips and hints.With a "no question is unwelcome" approach, a troubleshooting section lessens frustrations and encourages experimentation. Rodale's Basic Organic Gardening is everything a beginning gardener (or one who's new to gardening organically) needs to get growing and keep a garden going strong all season.

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Book SynopsisHarness the power of beneficial insects to deter pests and reduce crop damage. This comprehensive guide to farming with insects will have you building beetle banks and native plant field borders as you reap a bountiful and pesticide-free harvest. With strategies for identifying the insects you’re trying to attract paired with step-by-step instructions for a variety of habitat-building projects, you’ll soon learn how to employ your own biocontrol conservation tactics. Lay out the brush piles and plant the hedgerows because the insects are going to love it here!

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Book SynopsisEngaging and quirky; full of ideas and inspiration for garden projects that you'll be itching to try for yourself. Dave Goulson, author of The Garden Jungle A thoughtful and practical guide Country Life Design a garden for the future – because what we grow matters. Transform your garden into a self-sustaining haven for nature and wildlife. Ecological garden designer Matt Rees-Warren shares inspirational design ideas and practical projects to help you create a garden that is both beautiful today and sustainable tomorrow. The Ecological Gardener will give you the tools to create an abundant, healthy garden from the soil up – a garden that welcomes birds and bees and allows native planting and wild flowers to flourish, with minimal carbon impact or need for fresh water. This book can guide both novice and experienced gardeners alike in their journey to a more ecological approach, and is full of practical projects and information, including: Finding the right design for your space Creating a wildflower meadow Building rainwater catchments and other tips for water conservation Making compost from kitchen waste, leafmould, compost tea and more Creating a space for wildlife such as hedgehogs, bees and other pollinators Finding beauty in your garden during the winter Matt will show you how to reimagine how you garden, working with nature instead of controlling it, to create a space that promotes both wildlife and beauty. Trade Review‘Engaging and quirky; full of ideas and inspiration for garden projects that you’ll be itching to try for yourself.’—Dave Goulson, author of The Garden Jungle‘Finally, a book for UK gardeners who recognise the desperate need to share their gardens with nature. In The Ecological Gardener, Matt Rees-Warren explains why every square inch of planet Earth, including our gardens, has ecological significance, and he tells us exactly how to increase that significance in ways that will benefit us all. Excellent, timely, essential!’—Douglas W. Tallamy, author of Nature’s Best Hope‘Matt Rees-Warren has distilled his experience, observation and passion for the natural world into an incredibly informative narrative, with practical examples to help us tread lightly on the land. Gardens are for people, but in our endeavour to create beauty, we forget that our space is shared with cohabitants and time. Matt takes us through the garden with an ecological lens – just what we need to view a future that is in harmony with nature itself.’—Arit Anderson, garden designer, chartered member of The Landscape Institute‘Gardening for nature shouldn’t be a radical act, but it takes courage to trade power tools and pesticides for hand tools and native plants. The Ecological Gardener helps you brave the rewilding of your own patch through practical, inspirational advice for growing lightly on the land. With Matt Rees-Warren and the natural world as your guides, you can welcome all your wild neighbors, from slugs to the newts who eat them, to your life-sustaining space.’—Nancy Lawson, author of The Humane Gardener‘Gardening fads and styles come and go, from topiaries to green walls to Tropicalisimo. Yet the arc of understanding what a garden is slowly bends to the less controlled and naturally friendly. As our understanding of the connectedness and mostly concealed weave and warp of “life entire” gains steam, so too does our desire to fully embrace the whole. Within this context, Matt Rees-Warren does an admirable job in explaining the objectives while providing the garden-maker a satisfyingly readable map from which to find one’s personal paradise that welcomes the natural world into our own backyard.’—Daniel J. Hinkley, author of Windcliff and The Explorer’s Garden"The accompanying narrative is what sets this book apart; the breadth and depth of Rees-Warren’s experience allows him reflections that result in a philosophical exploration that is far more than just instruction (though the instruction is high quality, too)."—Booklist

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"In Fresh from the Garden, John Whitman folds together the joy of gardening and a love of cooking with wit and wisdom. Addressing the challenges and rewards of our cold climate, he shares his vast experience, deep knowledge, and passion for nature’s bounty. This is a monumental work—inspiring, instructive, timeless."—Beth Dooley, author of In Winter’s Kitchen: Growing Roots and Breaking Bread in the Northern Heartland"The extensive individual plant profiles...are in-depth and extremely helpful."—Library Journal"An excellent resource for home gardeners at any level, especially beginners, offering a thorough introduction to the basics of organic gardening."—Booklist"This book is an invaluable resource not just for gardeners who live in the North, but for any gardener who wants to extend both ends of the growing season."—Country Gardens"A marvelous book. While Fresh From the Garden is invaluable for gardeners in cold areas, the basic information is relevant anywhere."—Rhobin’s Garden"Whitman’s almost encyclopedic seed-to-table approach in “Fresh from the Garden” covers every aspect of the growing enterprise."—Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener"Whitman is full of such practical advice, offered in straightforward prose. This handy book is much like having a master gardener at your elbow, whispering words of wisdom."—Midwest Home"Will provide you with a single, encyclopedic source of detailed, time-tested, organic gardening advice that will help you raise your best produce yet."—The American Gardener"After decades of gardening, Whitman is still discovering new horticultural frontiers."—Columbus Dispatch "It really is quite an achievement, with a refreshing candor that you don’t often find in reference books."—Cold Climate Gardening"It’s the perfect gift for the fanatical vegetable grower in your life."—Portland Press HeraldTable of ContentsContentsAcknowledgments IntroductionPart I. The Basics of Growing Vegetables, Berries, and Herbs1. Where to Plant Tips on Choosing a Garden Site Types of Gardens Soil2. Planting Seed in the Garden Buying Seed Planting Seed Spacing When to Plant Mail Order Sources3. Starting Vegetables From Seed Indoors (Transplanting) About Seed Starting Indoors Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Seeds Indoors Buying Potted Plants4. Caring for Vegetables, Berries, and Herbs Watering Mulch Fertilizing Support Weeding Thinning Pruning Winter Protection Extending the Growing Season5. Propagation6. Solving Growing Problems Basic Tips That Help Reduce the Use of Pesticides Using Organic Chemicals Insects Disease Crop Rotation Solarization Marauders Physiological Problems7. Harvesting and Culinary Uses Harvesting Yield Storing Culinary Uses Nutrition8. Tools, Materials, and Gardening AidsPart II. Vegetables, Berries, and HerbsIndividual ListingsAmaranth (see Greens) Artichoke, globe (see Unique Plants) Artichoke, Jerusalem (see Sunchoke under Unique Plants) Arugula (see Greens) Asparagus Asparagus bean (see Yardlong bean under Unique Plants) Asparagus pea (see Unique Plants) Aubergine (see Eggplant) Aztec Red Spinach (see Lamb’s Quarters under Greens) Basil Batavian endive (see Endive under Greens) Bean Beet (beetroot) Belgian endive (see Unique Plants) Bitter melon (see Gourds under Unique Plants) Blackberry (see Raspberry) Black-eyed pea (see Cowpea under Unique Plants) Black salsify (see Salsify under Unique Plants) Blueberry Bok Choi (see Chinese cabbage) Borage (see Herbs) Borecole (see Kale) Boysenberry (see Raspberry) Broad bean Broccoflower (see Cauliflower) Broccoli Broccoli raab or rabe (see Greens) Broccolini (see Chinese broccoli under Greens) Brokali (see Chinese broccoli under Greens) Brussels sprouts Burdock (see Unique Plants) Bush bean (see Bean) Cabbage Cantaloupe (see Muskmelon) Cape gooseberry (see Ground cherry under Unique Plants) Capers (see Nasturtium for substitute) Caraway (see Herbs) Cardoon (see Unique Plants) Carrot Catgrass (see Greens) Cat mint (see Catnip under Herbs) Catnip (see Herbs) Cauliflower Celeriac (see Celery) Celery Celery, bulb (see Celery) Celery, stem (see Celery) Celery cabbage (see Chinese cabbage) Celery root (see Celery) Celtuce (see Lettuce) Ceylon spinach (see Malabar spinach under Greens) Chamomile (see Herbs) Chard (see Swiss Chard) Chervil (see Herbs) Chickpea (see Unique Plants) Chicory, Belgian endive (see Belgian endive under Unique Plants) Chicory, Italian dandelion (see Italian dandelion under Greens) Chicory, Radicchio (see Radicchio under Unique Plants) Chicory, Witloof (see Belgian endive under Unique Plants) Chinese broccoli (see Greens) Chinese cabbage (see Greens) Chinese flowering cabbage (see Chinese cabbage under Greens) Chinese kale (see Chinese broccoli under Greens) Chinese mustard (see Greens) Chinese spinach (see Amaranth under Greens) Chives (see Herbs) Choi (choy) sum (see Chinese cabbage under Greens) Chrysanthemum (see Greens) Chop

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Book SynopsisReduce a garden''s impact on both the environment and the wallet Organic Gardening For Dummies shows readers the way to ensure a healthy harvest from an environmentally friendly garden. It covers information on the newest and safest natural fertilizers and pest control methods, composting, cultivation without chemicals, and how to battle plant diseases. It also has information on updated equipment and resources. It helps the reader to plant organically year-round, using herbs, fruits, vegetables, lawn care, trees and shrubs, and flowers. Organic Gardening For Dummies show readers how to: Plan out the perfect organic garden Protect wildlife and help pollinators in a garden Grow a range of organic vegetables, fruits and flowers Manage pests in an eco-friendly way Trade Review'Covering everything the beginner gardener needs to know, from composting to managing pests, but also going deep enough to satisfy more advanced GYO-ers.' (Grow Your Own, March 2012)Table of ContentsIntro Introduction I Understanding the Basics of Organic Gardening 1 Gardening Organically: The Basic Techniques 2 Benefitting You and the World: Great Reasons to Go Organic 3 Understanding and Planning Your Site II Getting Stuck into Soil, Compost and Fertilisers 4 Digging Beneath the Surface: Soils 5 Building Healthy Soil 6 Composing Great Compost: Let the Rotting Begin! 7 Enriching the Earth with Organic Fertilisers III Growing Organically in Your Garden 8 Settling in Plants and Keeping Them Happy 9 Enjoying Home-Grown Feasts 10 Raising Organic Vegetables 11 Growing Herbs for the Home and Garden 12 Picking from the Berry Patch 13 Cultivating Fruits and Nuts for Your Organic Orchard 14 Saying It with Flowers 15 Managing Garden Trees and Shrubs 16 Creating and Caring for Your Organic Lawn IV Managing Problems 17 Creating a Natural Balance: Preventing Pests and Diseases Organically 18 Managing and Controlling Insect Pests 19 Battling Plant Diseases 20 Outwitting Invading Creatures 21 Weed It and Reap! V The Part of Tens 22 Ten Best Organic Gardening Practices 23 Ten Ways to Be Eco-friendly Index

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Book SynopsisAlready in his early forties and not entirely content with his lot, Keith Stewart traded life in New York's corporate grind for an upstate farm. Starting as a one-man operation, short on experience and with modest expectations, Stewart soon found that the agrarian life, despite its numerous challenges, suited him well. His new business flourished. Today, he has a crew of six to eight seasonal workers and grows about one hundred varieties of vegetables and herbs. What began as a yearning - 'to live on a piece of land, closer to nature; to work outside with my body as well as my brain; to leave behind the world of briefcases, computers, corporate clients, and non-opening windows' - has become a life 'more full, more varied,' often 'more demanding and exhausting,' but 'always more real.' Stewart sells everything he grows directly to consumers and restaurateurs, and in doing so has developed loyal and growing ranks devoted to his Rocambole garlic, varied herbs, heirloom tomatoes, and other organic produce. Now, in "It's a Long Road to a Tomato", Stewart presents interlocking, complementary essays, addressing his mid-life development as a farmer; some of the nuts and bolts and how-tos of organic vegetable growing and selling in an urban market; humourous and philosophical stories about domestic and wild farm animals; and insights into the political, social, and environmental issues surrounding agriculture today and why they matter to all of us.

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Book SynopsisPractically Pagan - An Alternative Guide to Gardening takes the spooky out of alternative and keeps the magic. Elen Sentier brings together, and expands on, recent scientific discoveries, and shows how close they are to the old ways that were labelled as superstition in the 20th century. Sentier's writing is accessible and opens up the down-to-earth practicalism of pagans as people of the land to all, for that's what the word pagan means, 'of the land'. Sentier doesn't preach or proselytise folk to become pagan, but brings to light how you've been thinking this way for years. Elen Sentier is a best-selling author of British native shamanism. She also writes paranormal mystery-suspense novels. She’s a wilderness woman, born on Dartmoor and grew up on Exmoor in a family who had practiced the old British magic for hundreds of years. Her books include Pagan Portals - Merlin: Once and Future Wizard (Moon Books, 2016), and Gardening with the Moon & Stars (Moon Books, 2015).

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Book SynopsisThis comprehensive yet concise guide tells the gardener all he needs to know about organic cultivation. From the basics of climate, geology and soils, through an explanation of plants and their orders to the planning and planting of a variety of vegetables and edible plants, this book gives sound advice in a handy format.

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