Specialised gardening methods Books

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 SynopsisCarole Turner shows you everything you need to know to harvest, dry, store, and sow seeds from more than 100 common garden plants so you can use them again next year. She provides information on appropriately preparing your soil, testing seeds for viability, tending your seedlings, and much more. Growing your own seeds is a fun and inexpensive way to enjoy thriving gardens year after year!Table of ContentsSowing seeds; from seed to bloom; selecting plants for seed saving; collecting and storing seeds; annual vegetables; biennial and perennial vegetables; annual flowers; biennial and perennial flowers. Appendices: troubleshooting chart; glossary; seed catalogues; seed exchanges and banks.

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Book SynopsisProper pruning will keep your landscape beautiful and thriving year after year. This authoritative guide includes more than 300 step-by-step illustrations to clearly demonstrate the correct pruning procedures for a variety of trees, shrubs, hedges, vines, and flowers. Lewis Hill offers expert advice on when, how, and why each type of plant should be pruned, safety considerations, and techniques for maintaining your pruning tools. Encouraging you to get creative, Hill even shows you how to shape your own topiaries and train espaliers.Table of ContentsPruning with a clear conscience; pruning with a purpose; pruning tools and equipment; pruning methods; ornamental trees and shrubs; shade trees; evergreens; hedges; artistic pruning; fruit trees; small fruits; nut trees; vines and ground covers; garden plants and houseplants; bonsai; forest trees.

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Book SynopsisFrom nibbling on fruit bushes to destroying flower beds, unwanted deer pose a frustrating and challenging obstacle to even the most patient gardeners. Rhonda Massingham Hart provides insights into deer behavior and offers a variety of proven techniques to keep your deer problem under control. Learn how to choose the best fence types, landscape with plants deer detest, make effective homemade repellents, and much more. You’ll have all the information you need to maintain a pristine, deer-free landscape.

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Book SynopsisGround covers are a pretty and practical way to bring diversity, elegance, and durability to open sweeps of lawn. Give your landscape a vibrant new palette that is both sustainable and low-maintenance through plantings of herbs, shrubs, mosses, and more. Barbara W. Ellis provides a variety of full-color lawn designs and professional planting advice to get you started. You’ll be amazed as your ordinary lawn transforms into a striking display of color and texture.

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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 SynopsisEven in winter’s coldest months you can harvest fresh, delicious produce. Drawing on insights gained from years of growing vegetables in Nova Scotia, Niki Jabbour shares her simple techniques for gardening throughout the year. Learn how to select the best varieties for each season, the art of succession planting, and how to build inexpensive structures to protect your crops from the elements. No matter where you live, you’ll soon enjoy a thriving vegetable garden year-round.

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Book SynopsisWhen should you prune a blackberry bush? How much should you remove? What’s the difference between pinching and heading back? And how can you be sure that you aren’t harming your fragile blossoms? The Pruning Answer Book offers fresh insights to these relevant questions and scores of others. With clear instructions, detailed illustrations, and expert advice, you’ll have all the information you need to successfully prune flowering plants, fruit and nut trees, shrubs, brambles, evergreens, vines, groundcovers, and more.

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Book SynopsisHarvest tomatoes on a patio, produce a pumpkin in a planter, and grow broccoli on a balcony! Best-selling author Ed Smith shows you everything you need to know to successfully create and care for an edible container garden, from choosing the right plants and selecting appropriate containers through controlling pests without chemicals and harvesting fresh vegetables. You’ll discover that container gardening is an easy and fun way to enjoy summer’s bounty in even the smallest of growing spaces.

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Book Synopsis“Size matters! Andrea Bellamy shares creative ways to grow a wide array of vegetables, fruits, and herbs in diminutive settings, year-round.” —Debra Prinzing, author, speaker, and podcasterSmall-Space Vegetable Gardens explains the basics of growing a bounty of edibles in a minimal amount of space. Andrea Bellamy shares all the knowledge she’s gained from years of gardening small. You’ll learn how to find and assess a space, how to plan and build a garden, and how to sow, grow, and harvest the 60 best edible plants. This hardworking and enthusiastic guide will help you take advantage of the space you have—whether it’s a balcony, a patio, a plot in a community garden, or even a small yard—to create the food garden of your dreams.

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Book SynopsisPromoting a holistic ecological view, Tammi Hartung encourages you to invite wildlife into your garden. You’ll be amazed at how a variety of natural pollinators, pest predators, and soil enrichers can promote vibrant and healthy vegetables. Discover how a slug problem disappears once you’ve introduced a pond housing bullfrogs, how wasps can take care of tomato hornworms, and why skunks aren’t so bad after all. Learn how to garden with animals, rather than against them, and reap your most bountiful harvest yet.

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Book SynopsisEnjoy your favorite container plants year after year! From geraniums to fuchsias and beyond, many container plants can be overwintered and enjoyed again the next season. Alice and Brian McGowan offer simple techniques for overwintering a variety of common tender perennial plants based on what kind of dormancy the plants go through in their native environment. With a plant-by-plant guide for quick reference, this Storey BASICS® guide will inspire you to create a stunningly varied container garden that comes to life every spring.

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Book SynopsisNow that you’ve mastered gardening basics, you want to enjoy your bounty year-round, right? Homegrown Pantry picks up where beginning gardening books leave off, with in-depth profiles of the 55 most popular crops — including beans, beets, squash, tomatoes, and much more — to keep your pantry stocked throughout the year. Each vegetable profile highlights how many plants to grow for a year’s worth of eating, and which storage methods work best for specific varieties. Author Barbara Pleasant culls tips from decades of her own gardening experience and from growers across North America to offer planting, care, and harvesting refreshers for every region and each vegetable. Foreword INDIES Silver Award Winner GWA Media Awards Silver Award Winner

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Book SynopsisHelp your trees, shrubs, and vines look and yield their best by making the right cut every time. Whether you are hoping for more flowers or fruit, trying to create a dense screen, or struggling to manage out-of-control growth, there is a pruning technique to achieve your goals. Expert gardener Barbara Ellis explains how a plant responds to pruning, how and when to use basic cuts, and what tools to use. Her plant-by-plant guide will give you the confidence you need to make that first cut.

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Book SynopsisUse this practical guide to imbue your garden with artistic expression, no matter the size. Having a beautiful garden shouldn't require hours of weeding and planting. Here, you will learn how to transform your garden with the clever use of decorative elements such as gravel, water and sculpture. Popular columnist Elspeth Thompson showcases seven distinctive gardens created from spaces ranging from terrace and city nook to suburban garden and country retreat, demonstrating how easily you can recreate your space. Utilizing decorative elements like topiaries, potted plants, mosses, rocks, lighting and art, Elspeth designs striking havens that can be adapted to suit your mood or the season.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Kruckeberg and Chalker-Scott’s book will surely be a go-to resource for many gardeners in the Northwest. If you have a dog eared, misplaced, lent out or never owned previous editions of this detailed guide, you’ll be impressed by the third edition, which is practical and attractive." * The Oregonian *"An excellent new book, Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest, is perhaps one of the best recent publications on [using native plants]. What’s unique about this book is the depth of knowledge and the practical approach it recommends when dealing with gardens of all types. Being the third edition of this book, it has been updated with beautiful images and information more relevant to today’s gardens." * Vancouver Sun *"Leafing through the colourful pages of this extensive and timely guide is an eye-opener onto the many, varied points of interest and charm that native plants can bring to gardens." -- Helen Chesnut * Victoria BC Times Colonist *"This book is a must have for gardeners of the Pacific Northwest." * Birdbooker Report *"This book provides succinct and visually gorgeous information to guide readers in growing native plants in home gardens. It’s definitely worth upgrading to the new edition; it contains a wealth of recommendations." * Bulletin of the Native Plant Society of Oregon *"A glorious guide to integrating native flora into our less-wild domestic landscapes." * Seattle Times / Pacific NW Magazine *"If you’re familiar with the older editions, the first thing you’ll notice in the new book is the inclusion of many color photographs—almost one for every text entry. . . . For those new to this book, the breadth of the plant selection may be surprising—as we have many garden-worthy natives. . . . Chalker-Scott has [also] added a new chapter that brings her signature work on horticultural science to the establishment and maintenance of a garden rich in native plants. . . . The serious native plant gardener should have [this book] in the home library." * Washington Park Arboretum Bulletin *"Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest is a science-based reference book that deserves a special spot on your bookshelf." * South Sound Magazine *"[T]his book provides succinct and visually gorgeous information to guide readers in growing native plants in home gardens. It’s definitely worth upgrading to the new edition; it contains a wealth of recommendations." * Kalmiopsis *

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Book SynopsisIntroduces techniques for preserving the natural land on which we build new homes, offices, or even shopping centers. This work stresses that the unnatural landscapes so common in America literally exist on artificial life support. It also discusses the importance of soils, and argues for the preservation and maintenance of natural habitats.Trade Review"For offering workable alternatives in nontechnical terms to ecologically minded home owners, contractors, and architects, the Wasowskis' book is highly recommended." - Library Journal"

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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 SynopsisIn 1957, the revered garden writer Elizabeth Lawrence began a weekly column for the Charlotte Observer. This book presents 132 of the more than 700 pieces that she wrote for the Observer over fourteen years.Trade Review“[This] attractive book offers information and advice on a wide range of plants and a myriad of gardening topics. Armstrong and Wilson’s choice to arrange the essays in the book by subject matter provides the reader a valuable resource on plant material to which he/she may return over and over. The book’s exhaustive and helpful index augments its practical usability.” -- Deborah Moore Clark * Carolina Landscape *“Fans of Elizabeth Lawrence will want to get their hands on Beautiful at All Seasons. . . . Those unfamiliar with Lawrence will find themselves enchanted with her thoughtful and conversational writing, akin to a modern day blog.” * American Gardener *“Fifty years after her columns for the Charlotte Observer were first published, Elizabeth Lawrence inspires a new generation of garden enthusiasts. Her vast knowledge of plants delights both novice and experienced gardeners.” * Southern Accents *“Here are revealed Lawrence’s wide gardening interests—plant culture, lore and literature, flowers of the church calendar, and correspondence with literary luminaries. . . . Elizabeth had a graceful writing style—warm, engaging, and conversation-like.” -- Bobby J. Ward * Rock Garden *“Lawrence displays the virtues of a dedicated plantswoman: she is generous, patient, watchful and above all curious as she delves into the histories of her favorite plants or consults her favorite experts . . . on the more arcane aspects of plant lore.” -- Jennifer Potter * TLS *“This collection is possessed of many virtues. Though the columns were written decades ago, they are not dated, offering ideas, descriptions, and tips that are valid both now and in the future. One virtue is that the collection can be used as a reference book for plants that will easily snuggle into Southern gardens, from peonies and hellebores to hydrangeas and smilax. . . . But more—much more—recommends this book than its undoubted value as a reference volume. Lawrence's way with words enchants.” -- Janet Lembke * News & Observer *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments xiii Introduction xv Note to the Reader xxi One: Seasonal Flowers Garden Resolutions 1 Flowers for Christmas Time 3 Flowers Greet the New Year 5 Winter Flowers 7 The Green Winter 8 A Hard Winter 9 Bamboo 11 Storm Damage 13 The Merry Month of May 14 Tender Perennials for Hot-Weather Gardens 16 Flowers in the Fall Border 18 Fragrance in the Garden 19 Fall Additions to the Border 21 Sow Hardy Annual Seeds During September 22 Planting Annuals in Autumn 24 Late-Blooming Flowers 25 The Gardening Year Is Just Beginning 27 Two: Perennials and Annuals Planting in Relays 29 Badge of Gardening Includes Black Knees 31 Gardening Surprises 33 The Law of Supply and Demand 34 Variegated Foliage 36 Selections for the Rock Garden 38 Tropical Plants 39 Annuals 41 Sweet Peas 43 Peony 45 Tree Peonies and Others 46 Clematis also Flowers in Shade 48 Beautiful Lilies 49 Asteromoea mongolica-- Kalimeris pinnatifida 51 Hellebores 53 The Christmas Rose and Other Hellebores 54 Giridlian . . . A Master of Plants 56 Night-Blooming Cereus 58 The Dividends of Fall Planting 59 Savannah Lands of East Carolina 61 Petasites 62 Three: Bulbs, Corms, and Tubers Planting Bulbs, Corms, and Tubers 65 Bulbs Through the Seasons 66 Some Early Spring Bulbs 68 Daffodils Need Early Start 70 Specialty Bulbs 72 Crown Imperials 73 Lycoris radiata 75 Amaryllis Family 77 The Surprise Lily 78 Lilies Grow Where None Were 79 Garden Casualties 81 Four: Trees and Shrubs Planting for Ice Storms 83 Plants for Parking Strips 85 Flowering Trees for the City 86 Street Trees 88 Trees with Colored Bark 90 Witch Hazels 92 Flowering Cherries 93 Serviceberries and Sloes 95 Dogwoods 97 Buckeyes 98 Eucalyptus 100 Honey Locust 102 Osmanthus 103 Hollies 105 Conifers 106 Firs and Cedars 108 Flowering Shrubs 110 March-Flowering Shrubs 111 Viburnums and Other Flowering Shrubs 113 June-Flowering Shrubs 114 Viburnums 116 Pyracanthas 118 Nandinas 119 Hydrangeas 121 Sasanquas 122 Camellia saluenensis 124 E. A. Bowles's Lunatics 125 Five: Vegetables and Herbs, Climbers and Creepers Fall Vegetables 129 Two Vegetable Gardens 130 Mrs. Hobbs and Her Herbs 132 Sweet Woodruff 134 Dandelions 136 Vines Are Useful Tools 137 Smilax 139 Clematis Hybrids 140 Akebia and Rosa banksiae 142 Ground Covers 144 Ground Covers Pose Problems 146 Tiny Creepers 148 Six: Gardeners and Gardens Wing Haven 151 Importance of Garden Details 152 Steps in Your Garden 154 Walks and Paths 156 Terraces and Patios 158 Water in the Garden 159 Mr. Krippenndorf's Garden 161 Physic Garden at the Country Doctor Museum 162 Mr. Busbee's Garden 164 A Visit to Italy's Oldest Botanic Garden 166 Colette's Mother's Garden 167 The Splendor of Royal Gardens 169 Gotelli's Collection of Dwarf Conifers 171 The Scented Garden 172 The Gardens of a Soldier's Wife 174 Pioneer Seedsman 176 Young Belgian Guided Southern Horticulture 177 Meet Caroline Dormon 179 She Talks to the Birds 181 The Hunt Arboretum 182 Seven: Gods, Legends, and Rituals The Gods of the Garden 185 The Ash, a Symbol in History 187 The Tale of the Magical Hawthorn Tree 189 The Holy Thorn Blooms for Royalty 190 The Christian Year Parallels the Garden Year 192 Holiday Wreaths 194 The Advent Wreath 196 Legend and Lore of the Christmas Tree 197 International Christmas Trees 199 The Flowers of the Trinity 201 The Flowers of Passiontide 203 The Story of the Passion Flower 205 Rituals of the Palms 206 Rogation Days-- The Blessing of the Crops 208 Eight: Bits and Pieces Asafetida 211 Feeding the Birds 213 Honey 214 Organic Gardening 216 Pruning 218 Pruning Should Be Done Every Day 219 Historic Flower Arrangements 221 Bouquet Carried Messages 223 Pomanders 224 Creatures Add to a Garden 226 Index 229

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Book SynopsisTwo of Hawaiâiâs foremost plant experts guide both novice and experienced gardeners in choosing the perfect drought-tolerant plants for Hawaiâiâs gardens. In this lavishly illustrated guide to the selection of tropical landscape materials for xeriscape gardens, Rauch and Weissich provide the ultimate guide to the âœless thirstyâ landscape plant species which form the tropical xeriscape.

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Book SynopsisPublic Gardens and Livable Cities changes the paradigm for how we conceive of the role of urban public gardens. Donald A. Rakow, Meghan Z. Gough, and Sharon A. Lee advocate for public gardens as community outreach agents that can, and should, partner with local organizations to support positive local agendas. Safe neighborhoods, quality science education, access to fresh and healthy foods, substantial training opportunities, and environmental health are the key initiative areas the authors explore as they highlight model successes and instructive failures that can guide future practices. Public Gardens and Livable Cities uses a prescriptive approach to synthesize a range of public, private, and nonprofit initiatives from municipalities throughout the country. In doing so, the authors examine the initiatives from a practical perspective to identify how they were implemented, their sustainability, the obstacles they encountered, the impact of the initiatives on thTrade ReviewThe case studies presented in the book are a very thorough representation of creative programs and partnerships. [T]he book is written using clear, crisp language and can be read in a relatively short amount of time. The case studies present a mix of modern, relevant, creative, focused initiatives that can clearly be used to develop policies and strategic partnerships for entire communities and are not just limited to community or public gardens. * Journal of Urban Affairs *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Livable Cities and Public Gardens 1. Promoting Neighborhood Safety and Well-Being 2. Improving the Quality of Science Education 3. Access to Healthy Food and Promoting Healthy Lives 4. Training and Employment Programs 5. Initiatives to Promote Ecosystem and Human Health 6. Strategies for the Development of Successful Partnerships Epilogue

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Book SynopsisDiscover how to grow it yourself with experts tips, simple step-by-step guides and gorgeous illustrations in this fantastic veg-growing guideGrowing your own vegetables is a rewarding venture that’s both affordable and delicious, but a novice gardener might not know where to begin. This is your no-fuss guide to vegetable gardening.Do you want to learn how to start and sustain your own vegetable garden throughout the year? This vegetable gardening book for beginners will help you choose and care for more than 40 different varieties, all specially selected for successful growing. You don't have to be a horticulture expert to get started, this indispensable reference book will take you through every single step! It includes:    • Tips on how to care for more than 40 different vegetable varieties    • Practical, jargon-free know-how and simple gardening techniques   

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Book SynopsisWhatever your level of expertise, you'll find everything you need to know in this easy-to-follow gardening guide.This book contains the principles of good gardening - how plants work and how to give them what they need, as well as step-by-step advice, top tips, and essential techniques.Keen on starting your own garden or looking for gardening tips to improve your existing gardening skills? This simple guide will show you where to start, what tools and techniques to use, and how to troubleshoot common garden problems. From bulbs to borders, weeds to watering, pick up gardening techniques, practical basics, and simple skills which will have your garden blooming, this gardening guide is the perfect text to help you master the essentials of gardening.Start A Garden And Watch It GrowShare in the delight of gardening when you start using RHS How to Garden New Edition as your guide. You’ll quickly become engrossed in the fun, re

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Book SynopsisGarden efficiently and grow more food - Huw Richards shows you how.Following the success of Veg in One Bed and Grow Food for Free, in The Vegetable Grower's Handbook Huw shares his tried-and-tested approaches from his own garden so you can unearth your garden's potential.With simple yet effective methods, such as nurturing healthy soil, optimizing space, and following a planting plan, anyone can be a productive vegetable grower while working in harmony with nature. As well as Huw's recommendations on good planning and infrastructure, he has tips for plenty of quick wins too, such as how to attract beneficial pollinators.You'll be amazed at what you can achieve by setting goals, planning ahead, and trialling new ideas. Every successful business has a strategy. Why not apply one to your vegetable patch?

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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 SynopsisWith their unique shapes and striking colors, succulents make the most beautiful houseplants. They are simple to care for and grow easily indoors—perfect for novice plant caretakers and seasoned gardeners alike. Succulents is your photographic, step-by-step guide to selecting, potting, and caring for your succulent plants.From cacti to aloe to echeveria, succulents have captured the hearts of crafters, decorators, and plant lovers all over the world. Always popular as an outdoor plant in warm climates, succulents have also found popularity as an indoor plant that requires little maintenance and is fun to look at. This book includes:   • Snapshots of 100 of the most popular varieties of succulent plants, including care, color, hardiness, pairing, and a full-color photo for each.   • Everything needed to select, pair, pot, and care for succulent plants.   • 16 beauti

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Book SynopsisObsessed with houseplants? You’ve come to the right place. This isn’t any ordinary houseplant book. In fact, there is nothing ordinary about these extraordinary plants. From growing his own collection, Tony Le-Britton of Not Another Jungle, shows you how to grow and care for the world’s most sought after plants.Detailed chapters on light, water, humidity, fertilizer, variegation, propagation, and pests and diseases have you covered so you can confidently care for all your houseplants. Understanding their natural habitats empowers you to create the optimum environment in your own home so your plants will thrive. Combining detailed care advice and stunning imagery on a wide range of plants, including Monstera and Anthurium, with a special focus on desirable and unusual varietiesIf you’re intent on becoming a devoted plant parent this year, dive straight in to discover:- Step-by-step advice on everything you

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Book SynopsisGet more out of your garden in winter by planning, creating and planting a beautiful outside spaceUnlock your garden’s winter potential and see the beauty and promise of the colder months with award-winning garden designer and author Naomi Slade.There is so much to marvel at in a winter garden. As summer flowers fade and autumn winds strip trees bare, the season brings new delights to draw us outside, from the dusting of frost on bare seedheads and the long-reaching shadows cast by a December dawn to the joy of huddling up beside a fire pit to see in the New Year.RHS The Winter Garden is a celebration of the coldest season, with stunning photography that captures the very best that winter has to offer. Discover the bulbs that will bloom and the ornamental grasses that will dance in the winter breeze; create unique winter flower arrangements with cut stems and dried flowers; and learn how to design a garden with winter beauty at its hea

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Book SynopsisThis updated edition of Straw Bale Gardens Complete is the only book you need to get started with the revolutionary gardening method that has taken the world by storm. Written by Joel Karsten, the originator of Straw Bale Gardening, this exciting update contains detailed, start-to-finish instructions for growing vegetables in straw anywhere, plus many new ideas and projects, including how to set up a greenhouse for less than $100 that allows you to start seeds on top of heat-generating straw bale benches. Whatever your gardening challenge, Straw Bale Gardening holds the solution. Have a small or unusual space? Straw Bale Gardening is perfect for urban, rooftop, and balcony gardens. Contaminated soil? Planting in straw bales eliminates the problem. Are you inundated by weeds? With straw bales, there is no weeding. The advantages of growing a Straw Bale Garden go on and on:

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Book SynopsisIn Gardening Complete, eight of North America’s top gardening experts—and Cool Springs Press authors—present 19 subjects of critical interest to anyone who wants to learn or broaden gardening skills. Whether your main interest is in designing landscapes and gardens, ornamental gardening to make your yard more attractive, or gardening to provide nutritious edibles for the family table, this book will become your definitive source of information. It is intended for serious beginning to intermediate gardeners, but even veteran gardeners will be intrigued by what these experts have to say about core gardening skills and common horticultural subjects.   A large-format book boasting 376 pages and 600 photos, Gardening Complete demonstrates how to accomplish the routine activities of gardening and beyond, including: Planning and planting your garden Essential care for Table of ContentsChapter 1 Botany for Gardeners By George Weigel Chapter 2 Understanding Soil By Katie Elzer-Peters Chapter 3 Designing Your Gardens By George Weigel Chapter 4 Planting a Garden By Lynn Steiner Chapter 5 Watering and Fertilizing By Jacqueline Soule Chapter 6 Pruning By Jacqueline Soule Chapter 7 Composting and Mulching By Katie Elzer-Peters Chapter 8 Gardening by Seasons By George Weigel Chapter 9 Managing Weeds By Jessica Walliser Chapter 10 Controlling Pests and Insects By Jessica Walliser Chapter 11 Controlling Diseases By Jessica Walliser Chapter 12 Propagating By Jacqueline Soule Chapter 13 Harvesting Edibles By Charlie Nardozzi Chapter 14 Gardening with Native Plants Lynn Steiner Chapter 15 Water-Wise Gardening By Lynn Steiner Chapter 16 Gardening for the Birds and Bees By Rhonda Fleming Hayes Chapter 17 Container Gardening by Charlie Nardozzi Chapter 18 Vertical Gardening By Jacqueline SouleChapter 19Raised Beds By Tara Nolan

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Book SynopsisThis gorgeous guide features the history, cultivation, and imaginative use of more than 300 succulent and cacti plants in comprehensive, easy-to-follow illustrated stages. The Complete Book of Cacti & Succulents is a feast of in-depth information and over 600 eye-catching photographs. This book has everything you need to make your plant arrangements healthy and spectacular no matter what kinds of succulents you use. Using this guide, you will quickly discover just how bold and creative you can be with these arrangements, and understand why so many decorators can recommend succulents for almost every occasion. Whether you're just thinking about decorating with these beautiful, easy-to-care-for plants, or you've been a sucker for succulents for a good long while, this book contains ideas and inspiration for beginners and masters alike. Through step-by-step full-color sequences and expert guidance, this book gives in-depth information on the history, cultivation,

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Book SynopsisEverything you need to know about bonsai care, maintenance, design, and arrangement. With clear explanations of bonsai and what it is, these 101 easy-to-grasp tips have everything you need to get the results you want.Build knowledge and confidence with this must-have pocket guide, filled with the essentials you're looking for including pointers and advice on cultivating bonsai plants. Create a sense of balance and serenity in your home with these beautiful miniature trees and bring the ancient practice into the 21st century. Using a step-by-step approach, 101 Essential Tips: Bonsai explains design and style principles, which containers to use, how to cultivate a bonsai plant and more. Learn about the different suitable species, from Japanese red maple to Scots pine, find out how to prune, reshape with wiring, implement Saikei and rock planting, and develop a watering routine to keep your living art healthy.Whether you want to build on your basic skills or become

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Book SynopsisSince 1973, Storey''s Country Wisdom Bulletins have offered practical, hands-on instructions designed to help readers master dozens of country living skills quickly and easily. There are now more than 170 titles in this series, and their remarkable popularity reflects the common desire of country and city dwellers alike to cultivate personal independence in everyday life.

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

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Book SynopsisIn this lively and inspiring book, veteran horticulturalist Robert Kourik (aka Bob) unfolds his manifesto of Inspired Laziness using efficiency and forethought to create gardens and landscapes with a lot less work and a lot more enjoyment.Trade Review“A survey a few years ago by the Garden Writers Association of America uncovered that gardeners in our country want to spend less time working in the yard. On average, a homeowner want to spend no more than an hour per week tending to their outdoor spaces. How to accomplish that? Eliminate, elevate, automate. Those are garden words to live by. Get rid of troublesome plants, and perhaps add a permanent patio and pathways. Large lawns are a major outdoor labor time suck. Raised beds solve a lot of garden problems, such as slow-draining soil. Drip irrigation systems, combined with a “smart” irrigation control system, goes a long way to freeing up your day for other pursuits. Those, and other time-and-labor saving strategies are emphasized and explained in Robert Kourik’s latest book, Lazy-Ass Gardening. In this book, Kourik emphasizes how you can save yourself a lot of time and grief by employing some common sense strategies. One of my favorites: walk through your neighborhood and note which plants are successful. Nothing wrong with copying a good idea! There’s nothing “lazy” about planning out a functional, easy to maintain garden. That’s smart landscaping! Robert Kourik’s Lazy-Ass Gardening will show you how.”–Fred Hoffman, producer/host, KFBK Garden Show“What gardener wouldn’t prefer more for less? And that’s exactly what Robert Kourik is offering in Lazy-Ass Gardening. Drawing on his forty-plus years of hands-on experience at growing plants, and countless hours of scholarly research, Kourik offers a host of ways in which anyone can have more beauty, bigger harvests and a healthier environment for a far smaller investment of sweat and resources. This book is sure to become your favorite gardening tool.”–Tom Christopher, author of Garden Revolution“The Lazy Ass Gardening book is packed with so many clever, economical, and ecological resources and ideas that are guaranteed to raise the horticultural IQ of both novice and experienced gardeners alike! Graphics are clear and understandable aids helping readers de-mystify planning, planting, pruning, irrigation, soil building, and plant root growth. It’s a pleasure to find a book so chock-full with nuggets of practical and fascinating tips and techniques presented with a feeling that you’re conversing with your smartest, most laid back longtime gardening friend and guru. Highly recommended!”–Chip Tynan, Missouri Botanical Garden“In this book, Robert Kourik shares some garden wit, sound advice, and innovative tips for gardeners who prefer gazing at a garden to grubbing in it.”–Pam Peirce, author of Golden Gate Gardening“Robert Kourik has combined a lifetime of hands in the dirt gardening with careful scientific study of the complex web of life that is a garden. He’s made decades of mistakes and learned from most of them. Let Bob, who is at once amusing, insightful and incite full, converse with you and help you plan thoughtful labor saving ways to enjoy the wonder and beauty of gardening and also get more food with less work. The “lazy-ass” part says Bob, is that this book’s labor saving ideas will afford you more time for leisure activities like hammock laying and drinking cocktails. However he is wrong, because you will use a lot of the time you save in the garden enjoying this profound and entertaining book and the journeys of understanding it will send you on. Keep it as a reference. For sure use it each winter before you plan your garden and consult it to save time and gain insight before you do each of many specific gardening tasks.”–Sam Benowitz, founder of Raintree Nursery“You gotta love an author who calls deer 'The ubiquitous ungulates' and whose sage advice for gardeners on the Left Coast is: 'If you have gophers, move.' He is also a devoted fan of Monty Python. Reason enough to have this book on your shelf, right there. But wait; there’s more! Bob has filled the book with lots of easy-to-follow advice for beginners and an astounding amount of “I did not know that” info for grizzled veterans of the garden wars. (I’ll never look at Nitrogen fixing legumes the same way again!) It’s a great resource, a fun read; and yes, could save you quite a bit of work.”–Mike McGrath, host of Public Broadcasting’s "You Bet Your Garden” and former Editor-in-Chief of Organic Gardening magazine"Robert cuts through all of today’s garden-media hype, offering up tried- and-true wisdom based on his 25 years of gardening and landscaping. I love his voice – clever, humorous and thoroughly honest – This book will save you money and years of trial and error! I’ll be giving it to all my nursery employees for all its easy-to- grasp, trustworthy information and tips! A must-read."–Annie Hayes, Annie's Annuals & Perennials, Richmond, CA

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Beautiful color photographs and step-by-step instructions distinguish this guide to growing vegetables, fruit, and herbs in small spaces." — Library Journal

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Millions of people are waking up to the reality of our industrial food system and are thirsty for an alternative. What many don’t realize yet is the alternative can be growing right in their own yards. Hu[w]’s book, Grow Food For Free, is the resource that these millions need. Not only does it make gardening accessible for beginner’s but it also makes it extremely affordable. This is THE guide for anyone who doesn’t know where to start and is on a tight budget." – Rob Greenfield, environmental activist

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"[S]ubtitled 'Everything You Need to Know to Create and Care for Your Garden' is just that — answers for everything, on an encyclopedic scale." – Martha's Vineyard Times

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