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 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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Book SynopsisAre the creatures that visit and live in your garden friends or foes? How can you discourage the bad and nurture the good? And how does each animal fit into the essential garden ecosystem? You'll find the answers in the verdicts, evidence and treatments presented in this innovative new book. Including more than 50 common garden residents - from squirrels to starlings, from ladybirds to leatherjackets, and from frogs to flea beetles - it tells you how to encourage the forces for good and explains how best to deter or get rid of (ideally organically) those that bring damage, disease or even death to your precious plants. And vitally, it pieces together the key links in the garden food chain and shows how to maintain nature's delicate balance on your plot. As well as the key gardening information you need, you'll discover here the extraordinary ways in which garden wildlife is adapted for success, how to encourage vital pollinators and how to plan planting and cultivation to pre-empt problems. You'll see how to use pesticides safely if you must, and there are hints and tips on the best ways to deal with cats and dogs, chickens and geese in the garden. So whether you want your garden to be a haven for hedgehogs and honeybees, to have fewer slugs and snails, or to be know all the pros and cons of crows and cabbage white caterpillars, then these are the verdicts you need. Garden Wildlife on Trial is the sequel and companion volume to Ruth Binney's successful Weeds on Trial published in 2019 (ISBN 9781910821299).Table of Contents Introduction 6 Mammals and Other Vertebrates 10 Badgers 12 Deer 14 Foxes 16 Frogs 18 Grey Squirrels 20 Hedgehogs 22 Mice 24 Moles 26 Rabbits 28 Rats 30 Shrews 32 Toads 34 Voles 36 Birds 38 Blackbirds 40 Crows 42 Gulls 44 Herons 46 Jackdaws 48 Magpies 50 Pheasants 52 Pigeons 54 Sparrows 56 Starlings 58 Insects and Other Invertebrates 60 Ants 62 Aphids 64 Asparagus Beetles 66 Box Caterpillars 68 Bumblebees 70 Cabbage White Caterpillars 72 Carrot Flies 74 Codling Moths 76 Cutworms 78 Earthworms 80 Earwigs 82 Eelworms 84 Flea Beetles 86 Ground Beetles 88 Honeybees 90 Hoverflies 92 Lacewings 94 Ladybirds 96 Leaf-cutting Bees 98 Leatherjackets 100 Lily Beetles 102 Millipedes 104 Sawflies 106 Scale Insects 108 Slugs 110 Snails 112 Social Wasps 114 Spiders 116 Thrips or Thunder Flies 118 Vine Weevils 120 Wireworms 122 Woodlice 124 Dealing with Wildlife 126 Good gardening practice 126 Biological controls 129 Domesticated wildlife 130 Pesticides and how to use them 132 Wildlife and the law 136 Plants for wildlife 139 Index 142

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Book SynopsisFlower growing, once used to be a gardener's activity has today transformed into an astounding business. In India also, being an integral part of our rich heritage and culture, flower crops have become source of income as highly remunerative crops. Concerted efforts are being made in the country to boost the productivity, quality and export worthiness of several floricultural crops. With the changing trends and constant urge for new innovative products, this is imperative to have information about new potential crops with novel developed varieties and improved production technology. The worldwide interest in floriculture has also forced the agriculture universities and colleges for their perusal on teaching the emerging stream floriculture. Hence, the present book is a result of good compilation of recent advances in floriculture by the author. The publication entitled "Flower Crops: Cultivation and Management" specifies the practices and problems in growing flower crops along with entire description of crops and potential varieties.Table of ContentsSection I- Avenues and Scope of Floriculture Industry: Section II- Crops: 01. Alstroemeria 02. Anthurium 03. Bird of Paradise Strlitizia 04. Carnation 05. China Aster 06. Chrysanthemum 07. Crossandra 08. Dhalia 09. Freesia 10. Gerbera 11. Gladiolus 12. Gloriosa 13. Iris 14. Jasmine 15. Liatris 16. Lily 17. Lotus 18. Marigold 19. Narcissus 20. Orchids 21. Rose 22. Snapdragon 23. Stock 24. Tuberose 25. Tulip 26. Zantedeschia Calla Lily 27. Zinnia Section III: Emerging Issues in Floriculture 28. Organic Floriculture 29. Biotechnology in Floriculture 30. Role of Information Technology in Floriculture 31. Floriculture in The Era of WTO

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Book SynopsisDiscover a wide variety of herbs you can grow successfully at home.  Ideal for first-time gardeners, Grow Herbs contains everything you need to know to grow a wide variety of perennial and annual herbs. Learn how to sow, grow, harvest, and propagate your plants, with advice on caring for home-grown herbs as well as tips on making the most of store-bought pots. Explore a huge variety of herbs available to home gardeners with a wide-ranging directory, including popular herbs such as mint, basil, and sage as well as lesser-grown options like shiso and bergamot.Packed with practical, jargon-free know-how, this easy-to-use guide has everything you need to know to help your garden Grow. 

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Book SynopsisGrow your own vegetable garden with this practical, straightforward gardening guide.There is nothing more fulfilling than growing your own home produce. You don't have to be a seasoned gardener to produce a healthy, flourishing garden - all you need is a few seeds, water, sunlight, good advice and patience!In just one raised bed, author Huw Richards, shows you exactly how to grow vegetables organically, abundantly and inexpensively so you have something to harvest every month of the year. Here's what you'll find inside:- Month-by-month guide to what to do and how to do it, including what pests to look out for, and what can be harvested. - Covers first year in detail, with the final chapter on ‘Next Steps’ providing suggestions of what to do in years two and three.- Illustrations show you what the bed should look like month to month.- Windowsill planting ensures early success cultivating plants before they are tr

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Book SynopsisThe First-Time Gardener: Growing Vegetables is an essential tool for newbie gardeners, handing them all the practical and inspirational know-how they need to grow a fruitful garden, even if it's their very first time sinking a seed into the soil. Trade Review"Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout in full color photography...the ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, school, and community library Gardening & Horticulture instructional reference collections." * Midwest Book Review *“… answers every question from where to put the garden to how to prepare soil to deciding which veggies to plant.” * CNN Underscored *"Sowards welcomes new gardeners to growing vegetables with a cheerful voice and a can-do attitude." -- Heather Prince * American Gardener *"Sowards is also a gifted writer. Her words bring the many acts and facts of gardening to life and illustrate her principles as vividly as her photographs." * Provincetown Independent *'a useful and inspiring guide for those at the beginning of the veg-growing journey.' * Countryfile Magazine *Table of Contents1 Welcome to the Classroom 2 The Foundation—What Every Garden Needs to Succeed 3 Creating Your Garden 4 Growing with the Seasons 5 The Need for Seed . . .or Not 6 Grow Something Lovely—Designing a Captivating Space 7 The Nitty-Gritty of Garden Management 8 Making the Harvest CONCLUSION Grow on, Gardener About the Author Acknowledgments Index

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Book SynopsisFour-Season Food Gardening hands you all the know-how you need to make growing food 365 days a year your new superpower! Unlike most other vegetable gardening books on the market, this one approaches the subject through the lens of what you can grow during each of the four seasons, even if you live in a cold climate. Using season-extension techniques, such as cold frames, mini hoop houses, and thick mulches, combined with a thoughtful mixture of annual and perennial crops, you’ll discover that eating from your backyard through all 12 months is possible. With a hearty dose of enthusiasm and expertise, author Misilla dela Llana of YouTube’s Learn to Grow channel presents this season-by-season guide to growing edible plants, covering everything from what tasks and what crops are best for each harvesting season to step-by-step DIY projects for structures and methods <Trade Review"There are abundant tips about how to sow, harvest and protect your crops. You will feel prepared to start gardening your food after reading dela Llana's guide." -- Dorvall Bedford * Washington Gardener *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION SECTION 1 GETTING STARTED WITH THE BASICS CHAPTER 1 Planning Your Garden CHAPTER 2 Soil and Fertility CHAPTER 3 Extending the Season SECTION 2 SEASON BY SEASON IN THE GARDEN CHAPTER 4 Spring CHAPTER 5 Summer CHAPTER 6 Fall CHAPTER 7 Winter PROFILES OF FAVORITE CROPS ABOUT THE AUTHOR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS INDEX

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Book SynopsisIf you’re tired of battling blight on your tomatoes, losing your basil to downy mildew, and watching deer raid your vegetable garden, you’ll find all the answers you need right here.*2024 American Horticultural Society Book Award Winner* In The Vegetable Garden Problem Solver Handbook, author and veggie-growing guru Susan Mulvihill of YouTube’s Susan’s in the Garden is ready to set you up for long-term success in the vegetable garden. In these pages, Susan hands you all the info you need to stand firm against plant diseases, viruses, disorders, stressors, and even animal pests, and to do it without having to turn to harsh synthetic chemical products. All-natural solutions to your worst gardening woes are featured in an organized, problem-by-problem manner that makes this a quick and useful reference for both beginner and expert gardeners. This book is a wonderful companion to Susan’s previous booTrade Review"After reading this book, I feel more confident going into the growing season and looking forward to having a new reference book for dealing with vegetable garden issues!" * Budget Earth *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 NURTURE YOUR GARDEN & TROUBLESHOOT PROBLEMS Get Your Plants Off to the Best Start Possible 2 VEGETABLE PLANT DISEASE GUIDE Vegetable Crops and Potential Diseases Disease Profiles Organic Strategies Explained Organic Disease Control and Prevention Products 3 CRITTERS IN THE GARDEN Birds, Chipmunks, Deer Gophers, Pocket Groundhogs (a k a Woodchucks, Marmots) Mice, Moles, Opossums, Porcupines Rabbits, Raccoons, Rats Skunks, Tree Squirrels Voles, Meadow RESOURCES PRODUCT SUPPLIERS ABOUT THE AUTHOR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS PHOTO CREDITS INDEX

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Book SynopsisJoin the permaculture revolution! Author Angela Ferraro-Fanning (Axe & Root Homestead) shares techniques and tips for a homestead with synergy between soil, plants, animals, and trees. If you’re like most homesteaders, the dream is to make the most of your land by working with it, not against it. From capturing water and building strong soil to helping your animals live their best lives, The Sustainable Homestead is about making your homestead stronger by achieving synergy between what can seem like different parts. In this book, new and veteran homesteaders alike can find detailed information to put to use this year, this month, even this week! Angela—also the co-host of the HOMESTEADucation podcast and author of the Little Homesteader/Little Country Cottage series of children’s books—has spent more than a decade building and strengthening her small acreage homestead and shares the lessonsTable of ContentsForeword Introduction Chapter 1: Site Assessment Chapter 2: Soil Chapter 3: Growing Chapter 4: Incorporating Animals Chapter 5: Designing a Pasture Chapter 6: Compost Chapter 7: The Sustainable Orchard Chapter 8: The Role of the Homesteader Resources Acknowledgments About the Author Works Cited Index

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Book SynopsisSupercharge your food garden while reducing your workload with over 80 detailed solutions, techniques, and methods that resolve some of gardening’s most common challenges. Illustrated with gorgeous photographs of inspiring gardens, projects in process, and tempting homegrown vegetables, and authored by Resh Gala, a professional kitchen garden designer, Vegetable Gardening Made Easy is filled with valuable advice every food gardener can use. No matter the size of your garden or your experience level, backyard veggie gardeners like you can use the practical information found inside to grow a more productive (and beautiful!) edible garden.Discover an abundance of useful tidbits on everything from designing the garden and starting from seed to maximizing production, managing pests naturally, and preserving the harvest. Organized in a stylish and easy-to-use format that prevents overwhelm, each

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Book Synopsis You can grow a thriving vegetable garden with confidence—just follow the easy and accessible instruction in Vegetable Gardening for Beginners.The pride of biting into your first homegrown tomato of the season is unmatched, and even for experienced gardeners, the joy of eating and sharing something that you planted and nurtured never gets old. This abridged and affordable version of The Beginner’s Guide to Vegetable Gardening gives you the confidence, knowledge, and skills to reap the rewards of gardening on whatever level you decide to invest in—from two containers on a porch to multiple raised beds. The instruction allows you to scale down or up and is relevant to gardening wherever you are in the world.This beginner’s guide gives you all the information and tips you need to decide:  What kind of garden you want What types of vegetables you want to plant What va

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewMidwest Book Review- Synopsis: "Understanding Roots: Discover How to Make Your Garden Flourish" uncovers one of the greatest mysteries underground -- the secret lives and magical workings of the roots that move and grow invisibly beneath our feet. Roots, it seems, do more than just keep a plant from falling over: they gather water and nutrients, exude wondrous elixirs to create good soil, make friends with microbes and fungi, communicate with other roots, and adapt themselves to all manner of soils, winds, and climates, nourishing and sustaining our gardens, lawns, and woodlands. "Understanding Roots" contains over 115 enchanting and revealing root drawings that most people have never seen, from prairies, grasslands, and deserts, as well as drawings based on excavations of vegetable, fruit, nut, and ornamental tree roots. Every root system presented in this book was drawn by people literally working in the trenches, sketching the roots where they grew. The text provides a very detailed review of all aspects of transplanting; describes how roots work their magic to improve soil nutrients; investigates the hidden life of soil microbes and their mysterious relationship to roots; explores the question of whether deep roots really gather more unique nutrients than shallow roots; shares the latest research about the mysteries of mycorrhizal (good fungal) association; shows you exactly where to put your fertilizer, compost, water, and mulch to help plants flourish; tells you why gray water increases crop yields more than fresh water; and, most importantly, reveals the science behind all the above (with citations for each scientific paper). Critique: Exceptionally well informed and informative, "Understanding Roots: Discover How to Make Your Garden Flourish" is a compendium of thoroughly accessible, nicely illustrated, practical and directly applicable information that will prove invaluable for amateur and professional gardeners alike, and should be a part of every community and academic library Gardening reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.“I realize now that I’ve been waiting my whole life to read this book. Robert Kourik makes a major contribution to the science of horticulture and to plant lovers everywhere with Understanding Roots. This book gives us an understanding of the whole plant, and that can only make us better gardeners.”--Jeff Cox, former managing editor of Organic Gardening magazine and the author of twenty books on gardening, landscaping, food, and wine"Wow - what a MINDBLOWING book! I love what you have done and you have made me a better gardener! This is some seriously juicy stuff you have here! With Understanding Roots you have some seriously powerful information in your hands right now!"--Ivette Soler, author of The Edible Front Yard, free-lance author and garden designer"Understanding Roots changed how I think about plants. Much more is going on below ground than we ever imagined, as this book—and particularly its magnificent root diagrams—shows. Robert Kourik brings us up to date with current research and shares his decades of experience in this fascinating journey into the dynamic world of the rhizosphere. Gardeners, farmers, and researchers all will profit from this readable, detailed guide to how plants make their living in the soil."--Toby Hemenway, author of Gaia’s Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture and The Permaculture City"As is typical of Robert Kourik’s books, he distills complex research to give home gardeners both a great read and the knowledge needed to successfully pick out, plant and grow trees and shrubs in their gardens. Kourik, using diagrams of the actual root systems, takes us on a fascinating underground tour. He explains how and why understanding root growth and soil type greatly influences where and how to apply, water, mulch and fertilizer."--Sam Benowitz, Owner, Raintree Nursery“Roots are the controlling part of the plant, and we get the best results when we know more about them! Robert Kourik in Understanding Roots makes this possible—with almost double the information as in his previous book on roots. It has been noted that when we improve root health a tiny amount—just two percent to four percent—it is possible to increase yields two hundred percent to four hundred percent. Understanding Roots contains a wealth of information. It is a rare treasure!”--John Jeavons, author and developer of Sustainable Biologically Intensive Food-Growing, Willits, CA“Fascinating, beautifully illustrated and fun to read!”--Larry Korn, editor of Masanobu Fukuoka’s The One-Straw Revolution and Sowing Seeds in the Desert"A must have book in your library! Robert has always been able to make scientific fact and jargon readable, if not entertaining. Understanding Roots is no exception. Having found many rare drawings of excavated roots he presents many guidelines about how to place compost, mulch, fertilizer and water to make your garden thrive."--Rosalind Creasy, author of Edible Landscaping and 17 other gardening and cooking books“Sometimes in gardening, it’s what you don’t see that counts. So, unless you have x-ray vision, let the very knowledgeable Robert Kourik help you visualize—and improve—the root of the situation.”--Mike McGrath, host of Public Radio’s You Bet Your Garden and garden editor for WTOP in Washington, DC“Over the decades, author/researcher/contradictarian Robert Kourik has turned gardeners and farmers inside out with his scientific yet easily accessible books, including Understanding Roots: Discover How to Make Your Garden Flourish. You will have several ‘Whoa, I didn’t realize that!’ moments. This is an important book that will change the way you look at your plants, your soil, your fertilizers, and, especially, your watering habits.”--Fred Hoffman, producer/host, Get Growing with Farmer Fred radio shows, Sacramento, CA“Kourik does it again as he shares his investigations into what makes plants tick (hint, it’s subterranean).”--Ken Druse, radio host and author and photographer of twenty gardening books

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Trade ReviewPublishers Weekly- Kourik's color photos and Massion's art effectively illustrate a text that fulfills the title's promise. The author's advice is sound and practical although the reader may bridle at his tone at times. (Attempting a chatty informality, for example, he orders one to "find a comfortable chair and leaf through the book.") Otherwise, this is a valuable guide to the holistic approach to gardening, which relies on natural fertilizers and avoids chemicals. The author begins with suggestions for designing plots according to environment, space available, personal preferences. (The pictures prove that areas featuring vegetables, herbs, fruit- and nut-bearing trees and other edibles can be beautiful.) Kourik, who frequently appears on TV and lectures nationally, includes recipes that use the wide variety of foods featured here."Right at the beginning of my permaculture career I learnt more from this book than from any other.”—Patrick Whitefield, author of The Earth Care Manual and The Minimalist Gardener

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Acadia Tucker's books are both beautiful and practical. With the approachable but extensive blueprint that she provides, you can't help but be immediately empowered and inspired to join the carbon gardening movement.”—Annie Martin, Kiss the Ground“Acadia's books are wonderful, timely, and elucidate the simple and the complex beautifully. I especially love the call to action of the climate victory garden. We are at a time in human history where we all must get involved to reclaim our food supply and halt climate chaos, and these guides are an inviting how-to. Brava!”—Ave Lambert, Director of Education, CUESAAn important read for any backyard grower who wants to make a positive impact on the climate in their own patch of dirt.”—Robyn Rosenfeldt, Pip Permaculture Magazine“Tucker has a unique perspective on the climate crisis. Working as a farmer from Washington State to New Hampshire, she has seen radical, unpredicted shifts in climate which decimated sensitive annual crops but spared perennials. She has also seen the difference it makes to those crops when soil contains an abundance of organic material vs traditionally farmed soil which doesn’t. It’s fascinating to read.”—Todd Heft, author“I’m obsessed with this book already, I might sell everything and buy a farm.”—Brittany Yu, Branch On Bowen Bookstore"I love this book. Growing Good Food is great for beginning gardeners who care about the climate."—Lucy Biggers, Now This Media"In this well-informed and educational call to action, Acadia Tucker set out to simplify regenerative gardening so that anyone can do it. She succeeded! With step-by-step instructions and chapters dedicated to your favorite veggies, readers will be inspired to grow food and save the planet, all from the comfort of your backyard."—Jes Walton, Food Campaigns Manager at Green America "I would recommend Acadia’s new book to every gardener to learn how a person can impact the environment through one’s own garden.”—pegplant.com"Acadia Tucker’s new book shows what it takes for beginners to throw themselves into regenerative agriculture."–Modern Farmer"Growing Good Food is about working where we are, on a small scale, to improve the health of the land. Acadia Tucker tells us that what we do matters and if we have access to any piece of ground we can start addressing climate change. My father, Wendell Berry, says that this kind of work is radical now, when public attention is focused on global solutions. This work is what people are for."–Mary Berry"Add this gardening book to your library. If we don’t get together and take care of the soil, our atmosphere is toast."–Tim LaSalle, Cofounder The Regenerative Agriculture Initiative, Chico State

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Book SynopsisAcadia Tucker s long love affair with perennial foods has produced this easy-to-understand guide to growing and harvesting them.Trade Review"This is the best book about growing perennial vegetables I’ve seen."–Simply Smart Gardening“I have every intention of referring back to the sections on individual plants as the season develops. The advice can likely be best internalized as you mull over your plants as you prepare the ground, seed them, and watch them develop. It is a book that should have lots of dirty fingerprints on it by the end of a growing season. There are plenty of gardening advice books, but the focus here on perennials and on carbon capture gardening sets this one apart.”–Ivan Emke, Book on the Coffee Table"Great for new and experienced gardeners alike, Growing Perennial Foods is worth the purchase for the recipes alone. The book provides a short primer on general gardening topics, including composting and organic pest control, along with individual plant profiles for a wide variety of herbs, vegetables, and fruit. But, more than the academic knowledge, you will experience the love and passion Acadia Tucker has for the earth and making it a better place for all to enjoy."–Gardening Products Review"Right from the beginning of the book, you really get the idea that not only does Acadia know what she's talking about, she is passionate about it. This book isn't technical, but also doesn't talk down to readers. Acadia is right there with you, explaining everything, encouraging you, and giving you all the info you need on growing various perennial foods. My favorite part is the section on the challenges you might face. As anyone who has ever grown a plant can tell you, one cannot simply plant and expect to have a successful harvest. I found it very refreshing to have an author write about pests, diseases, and growing problems. I also appreciate that she covered tips on how to overcome them. Acadia approaches gardening much the way we do at the National Gardening Association -- organically, and with an eye toward working with nature rather than against it. We are very impressed and excited to see more of Acadia's work."–Trish Whitinger, COO, National Gardening Association"Beautifully written and illustrated, Growing Perennial Foods will be a well-thumbed addition to your gardening library."–The Northern Light"In North America, we tend to think of perennials as primarily ornamental rather than food-producing. Regenerative farmer Acadia Tucker believes that taking cues from how plants grow in the wild will allow for cultivated gardens that produce bountiful harvests while addressing concerns about global climate change. This guide to creating a regenerative food garden starts with addressing the existing soil and moves through all the steps needed to create a healthy, nurturing bed. Tucker then recommends a variety of perennial herbs, fruits, and vegetables, including information for how to plant, grow, and harvest each, along with potential challenges specific to each plant. One recipe is included for each plant, with most of the recipes vegan or vegetarian. While the majority of these plants are able to survive winter in many parts of North America, some are tender and will need to be moved inside during cold months. A FAQ section and glossary are appended."—Anne Heidemann, Booklist, American Library Association"Right from the beginning of the book, you really get the idea that not only does Acadia know what she's talking about, she is passionate about it. This book isn't technical, but also doesn't talk down to readers. Acadia is right there with you, explaining everything, encouraging you, and giving you all the info you need on growing various perennial foods. My favorite part is the section on the challenges you might face. As anyone who has ever grown a plant can tell you, one cannot simply plant and expect to have a successful harvest. I found it very refreshing to have an author write about pests, diseases, and growing problems. I also appreciated that she covered tips on how to overcome them. Acadia approaches gardening much the way we do at the National Gardening Association – organically, and with an eye toward working with nature rather than against it. We are very impressed and excited to see more of Acadia's work."–Trish Whitinger, COO, National Gardening Association"Acadia Tucker’s Growing Perennial Foods is a must-have resource for home gardeners looking to take their conservation efforts to the next level. With hard-earned knowledge and conversational clarity, Tucker demystifies the concepts of regenerative agriculture, translates them to the garden level, and guides the reader both philosophically and practically. Her focus on perennial plants provides an exciting and useful method of enacting the principles of regenerative agriculture, one that any sustainable gardener will appreciate."–Stephanie Anderson, author of One Size Fits None: A Farm Girl’s Search for the Promise of Regenerative Agriculture"Growing Perennial Foods is a down-in-the-dirt guide to growing food in a way that's good for the planet. It's also the account of one woman's transformation into climate activist and regenerative farmer. Acadia Tucker is on a mission to get more of us thinking about the power of regenerative agriculture. By the end of the book, you'll feel inspired enough to start your own Climate Victory Garden."–Jes Walton, Green America"Read this book! If we don’t get together and take care of the soil, our atmosphere is toast.”—Tim LaSalle, Cofounder, Regenerative Agriculture Initiative, Chico State"I love this book. An easy-to-read, down-to-earth guide to regenerative gardening, Growing Perennial Foods provides a blueprint, and the inspiration, to start planting your own."–Virginia Aronson, R.D., M.S., Director, Food and Nutrition Resources Foundation"Tucker helps us tap into the deeper meaning of gardening and grow good food at the same time.”—Anne Biklé, co-author of The Hidden Half of Nature: The Microbial Roots of Life and Health

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“This comprehensive guide will bring possibility to both aspiring gardeners and hopeful birders.” —Publishers Weekly“Illustrations, photographs, and charts make this a true visual guide, but the breadth of information provided means it can be read from cover to cover, or consulted as a reference guide when needed. Whether they're looking to hang their first bird feeder or are already experienced backyard birders, readers will find this an amply useful guide.” —Booklist

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Book SynopsisDevelop mature compost right in your garden. Barbara Pleasant and Deborah Martin explain their six-way compost gardening system in this informative guide that will have you rethinking how you create and use your compost. With your plants and compost living together from the beginning, your garden will become a nourishing and organic environment that encourages growth and sustainability. You’ll also find that the enriched soil requires less tending, weeding, and mulching, so you can do less back-breaking work for the same lush, beautiful results.

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Book SynopsisTHE VEGANIC GROWER''S HANDBOOK seeks to give the new, amateur and professional gardening enthusiast all the tools and techniques to be successful in vegan-organic methods. Mirroring the gardening year, this manual delineates garden planning to seed-growing in the early season, to garden preparation and transplanting when the weather warms. Composting and maintenance of seedlings in the heat of summer are discussed, harvesting and post-harvest handling when the cool mornings prevail. Ideas are brought forth in long-term storage and closing down the gardens when the nights delve deep. In addition, THE VEGANIC GROWER''S HANDBOOK includes six comprehensive annexes on crop profiles for over seventy different species of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, as well as plant spacing and yield charts, tools and other resources are included. This comprehensive guide is specifically geared to small-scale gardeners and farmers in North America from urban to rural environments who wish to cultivate mindfully and compassionately.

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Book SynopsisShawna Coronado, one of America’s most creative gardeners, gives you her library of clever gardening tricks in 101 Organic Gardening Hacks.If you ask garden author Shawna Coronado what a hack is, she might just wave her hand toward her own back yard. She could be pointing at the garden bench she created from leftover wood posts and a few cinder blocks, or the rows of wine bottles buried soldier-style along a winding pathway, or even the garden soil itself, which is blended by hand from an organic soil recipe she devised.In 101 Organic Garden Hacks you’ll find the top tips, tricks, and solutions Shawna has dreamed up in her career as one of America’s most creative gardeners. Some are practical timesavers; others offer clever ways to upcycle everyday items in your garden.One characteristic every hack shares is that they are completely organic and unfailingly environmentally friendly. Divided into a dozen different categories for easy reference, each hack is accompanied by a clear photo that shows you exactly how to complete it. If you are looking for resourceful ways to improve your garden and promote green living values right at home, you'll love paging through this fascinating, eye-catching book.Trade Review"...an irrepressible gardening evangelist" * HoustonChronicle.com *

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