As the earth's neighbour, the moon affects not only ocean tides but also the growth and development of plants. In this finely illustrated, full-colour book - packed with practical tips for the novice as well as the advanced gardener - Peter Berg offers a clear summary of the basics of lunar and biodynamic gardening, together with in-depth sections on: activating and enlivening the soil; biodynamic preparations; making good compost; crop rotation and green manuring; cultivation work and care of the garden; practical plant protection; rich harvesting; saving your own seed. Building on the the intensive research of his mentor Maria Thun and the teachings of Rudolf Steiner, Berg explains how the subtle influences from the cosmos work on the plant world, distinguishing between 'root', 'leaf', 'blossom' and 'fruit' days in the working calendar. An understanding of such natural processes, in conjunction with the practical knowledge described in this book, can lead to productive, chemical-free gardening, with healthy plants and abundant harvests.

Want to get into gardening? Wondering how to get started? Anxious that you won't know what to do? Have given up before, want to get started again? Want to improve your growing, yields and practices? This is the book for you. It takes you through all the most commonly grown vegetables and fruits in the context of Irish conditions. Learn from a gardener who has worked a garden since the 1940s as a child on his father's market garden, then as an adult home gardener and horticulturist, currently as an allotment advisor. This book combines the old and most recent knowledge in one easy-to-follow text. It's a book you'll consult over and over, through the wayward Irish seasons. Gardening for all situations

Winner of the Garden Media Guild Awards Reference Book of the Year 2016, the Guild of Food Writers Food Book of the year 2016, and the BBC Food & Farming Awards 2016 for Outstanding Achievement. Accompanied by a beautiful and comprehensive website of the same name, this wonderfully unique book is an indispensable and one-of-a-kind guide. It tells the story of the pear from its delightful taste and wonderful appearance to breeding and cultivation, following the fruit's journey through history and around the world. Beautifully illustrated with 40 botanical watercolour paintings by Elisabeth Dowle, The Book of Pears is the most up-to-date and comprehensive guide to the pear. Moving through continents and cultures, Joan Morgan celebrates the pear's long history as both a fresh and cooking fruit. Revealing the secrets of the pear as a status symbol, some of the most celebrated fruit growers in history, and how the pear came to be so important as an international commodity. The pear directory, which makes up the second half of the book, covers the world's ancient and modern varieties, each with full tasting notes and historical, geographical and horticultural detail. A fully illustrated version of this directory is shown on the author's website www.thebookofpears.fruitforum.net

This extraordinary book contains in one unique volume, the most wide-ranging history of apples ever written and a detailed survey of over 2,000 of the world's apple varieties. Beautifully illustrated with 32 exquisite colour paintings, the last edition of this book received many accolades and was quickly recognised as a classic. Complete with a fully revised directory covering all the varieties of apple to be found in the world's largest apple collection, The New Book of Apples includes full historical, geographical and botanical details as well as tasting notes on each type of apple. Exploring the role of apples in cooking, cider making, gardening, myth and medicine, this is an indispensable reference guide.

There's no denying that growing your own food is good for the pocket, good for the environment and hugely rewarding for the soul. In The Edible Garden, Gardeners' World's Alys Fowler will take you one step closer to self-sufficiency by showing how to grow edible crops and flowers in any garden - even a small suburban back garden! 'Quirky is the word that springs to mind when leafing through this book ... it is for anyone who has dreamt of the Good Life but despaired at their lack of land' -- Countryfile Magazine 'A handsome book' -- The Times 'An indispensable go-to gardening book' -- ***** Reader review 'I absolutely love this book and it's just my sort of gardening' -- ***** Reader review 'Beautiful and inspiring' -- ***** Reader review 'The best gardening book I have ever read - so useful for a beginner!' -- ***** Reader review 'Inspirational' -- ***** Reader review ********************************************************************** In this timely book, Gardeners' World's thrifty and resourceful Alys Fowler shows that there is a way to take the good life and re-fashion it to fit in with modern day living. Abandoning the limitations of traditional gardening methods, she has created a beautifully productive garden where tomatoes sit happily next to roses, carrots are woven between the lavenders and potatoes grow in pots on the patio. And all of this is produced in a way that mimics natural systems, producing delicious homegrown food for her table. And she shares her favourite recipes for the hearty dishes, pickles and jams she makes to use up her bountiful harvest, proving that no-one need go hungry on her grow-your-own regime. With beautiful, specially commissioned full colour photography, step-by-step recipes, directories of crops and flowers to grow and accessible, practical advice, The Edible Garden will encourage everyone to chuck out the old gardening rules and create their own haven that's as good to look at as it is to eat!

You don't need a garden to grow your own food! This book is the perfect beginner's guide to micro-gardening, featuring tips on how to start, what to choose and how to grow over 20 types of plant for your kitchen. Have you ever been curious about growing your own food? Do you lack a garden? Have you got limited space in your home? Then this book is for you! Whether you want to produce fresh herbs for your cooking, save money on your food bill, reduce your carbon footprint or enjoy the simple pleasure of watching something grow, My Tiny Kitchen Garden is bursting with tips and ideas to help you get started, including: The basics of micro-gardening Troubleshooting tips Plant profiles to help you choose what to grow Craft ideas to help you style your plants Advice on growing food from scraps How to save and store seeds Whether you're a budding gardener or a seasoned expert looking for seeds of inspiration, dive into this book to hone your green fingers and cultivate your very own tiny kitchen garden.