'A warm, funny, uplifting writer to celebrate!' KATIE FFORDE If you love Lucy Diamond, Phillipa Ashley, Sue Moorcroft and Holly Martin, you'll LOVE Erin Green's novels of love, life and laughter! 'A lovely, heart-warming story of three very different women trying to change their lives for the better . . . I was hooked! I hope there will be many more books in this lovely series!' CHRISTINA COURTENAY 'A delicious Shetland setting and the exquisite writing of Green, come together for a delightful tale of friendship, family and love' JENNI KEER Readers are enchanted! 'A lovely Christmas read . . . made me feel good. Excellent' 'An essential for anyone's pre-Christmas light and relaxing reading list' 'I couldn't put this book down it was that good. . . 10 stars at least' 'A wonderful festive read that makes you wish you were there' 'This was a beautiful escapist read' 'Great characters, great storyline and a big hug in book form will be found within the pages of this amazing festive book. Loved it' 'A lovely story of friendship, love, and starting over. I wish I lived in this town, could shop at their stores and be friends with these lovely characters' ..................................... Friendship can be the greatest gift you'll ever give . . . Verity is embarking on a better-late-than-never gap year now that her sons have flown the nest, and dreams of turning a lifetime's hobby of knitting and crocheting into a profitable new enterprise at Lerwick Manor's gallery. Nessie has returned to Shetland after two years spent retraining as a blacksmith on the Scottish mainland. She's determined to do whatever it takes to reignite the traditional craft and prove that gender is no obstacle to taking on her family's heritage. Isla is fresh out of catering college, but she is desperate to prove she has what it takes to run Lerwick Manor's artisan cafe. Focused on perfecting her grandmother's traditional recipes, Isla has no time for anything else - especially not her pesky ex. With the island's Yule Day celebration fast approaching, it's the ideal moment for their crafts to shine. But they can't do it alone - and their friendship might turn out to be their greatest creation yet... ..................................... 'A perfect story full of hope, love and friendship' 'An uplifting, engaging and heart warming book. Loved it' 'An amazing book and makes you really think that your dreams of changing your life can really happen' 'The author has the knack of making her characters spring off the pages so real that you'll care about them' Peterborough Telegraph Don't miss any of Erin Green's gloriously uplifting reads in Lerwick - look out for From Shetland, With Love, Sunny Stays at the Shetland Hotel and A Shetland Christmas Carol - perfect for any season! You are invited to a holiday where friendship, home comforts and romance are guaranteed . . . look for New Beginnings at Rose Cottage! If you don't ask you'll never know . . . it's a great time for Taking a Chance on Love!

Put the fun into gardening with this great family guide to growing plants indoors and out, all year round. How do plants work? How can I grow tomatoes? How can I encourage garden wildlife? RHS Get Growing will answer all these questions in a fun and accessible guide. Perfect for parents and children who enjoy engaging with the outdoors and want to do more activities together, or for beginner gardeners just starting out, this book explains how plants work, describes the building blocks of gardening, and shows how to grow everything from cacti to cucumbers. With great facts and practical projects, giving the reader a lot of information, it's an ideal, hands-on introduction for complete beginners, and designed to inspire a life-long love of gardening. In this book, you will learn to: Learn about the plants and animals that make up the ecosystem of any garden Plant seeds together with your children and watch as they grow Carry out experiments - from making a wormery to mapping rain shadows Make delicious recipes from your home-grown produce The projects and experiments are bite-sized and self-contained, ideal for weekends, holidays and even home-schooling. This book is ideal for parents and teachers who want to get kids connected with nature, experiencing the world and relating to the food that they eat. All the guidance is backed by scientific and educational research, drawn together by the team of RHS experts. Get your children growing shoots and seeds, whatever their ages, and watch them fall in love with the natural world with RHS Get Growing, the complete family gardening guide.

Grow your own fruit and veg with trusted advice from the experts at the RHS. This ultimate guide to vegetable and fruit gardening features the cream of each crop, with 100 illustrated profiles and quick reference recommendations to make choosing what to grow easy. From growing tomatoes to caring for your pepper plant, you'll get practical advice on key aspects of cultivation, including sowing and harvesting, and troubleshooting pests and diseases. Clear, easy-to-follow advice on the basic principles of growing fruit and vegetables helps you plan your plot and choose the right seed or plant for your garden space. Now in paperback (previous ISBN 9781405361804), RHS Grow Fruit and Veg is full of essential cultivation advice for grow-your-own beginners and experienced gardeners alike.

Backyards, rooftops, courtyards and balconies are sprouting with herbs, ballooning with fruit and bursting with vegies across our urban landscapes. Slowly, but we certainly believe surely, people are embracing the joy of gardening and the more relaxed lifestyle it brings. There is a change in the air and we are excited to watch it unfold. Enter the completely addictive world of urban growing, where you can pocket a slice of farm life in the city, even if just for a few minutes a day. Growing your own lemongrass for a mojito or rhubarb to make jam isn't just about producing food, rewarding though that is. It's an antidote to the relentless pursuit to 'do it all'. It doesn't matter the size of your space, or your skill, the garden is a place for everyone. Expert horticulturalist Byron Smith has created urban food oases in even the tiniest of plots and in this book he gives you the know-how to grow your favourite ingredients as well as killer recipes to make the most of your harvest. So tuck this book under your arm and grab a beverage with the other - the time to slow down and grow is now. The good life is waiting for you.

This book provides all the skills and techniques you need to grow your own crops. There is advice on designing your garden, selecting the right tools, understanding your soil, crop rotation, propagating, pruning, harvesting and storage. A section on common problems explains how to deal with bad weather, pests and diseases. A plant directory covers a wide range of vegetables, herbs and fruit, with information on cultivation, harvesting, sowing, planting and harvesting times, crop varieties, and photographs of growing and mature plants. With its beautiful images and clear practical advice, this is the perfect reference guide for every kitchen gardener

This book is aimed at the majority of us who live in terraced houses, high rise flats, town houses and semi-detached properties with a small garden and often nowhere to grow but the patio. It shows how to make the most of pots and planters; how to plan for a reasonable yield; and how never to run out of at least something to special eat. You might not have all the space in the world, but you can enjoy all the flavour in the world. With the step-by-step instructions in this book you will be able to grow, nurture and harvest your own fruit, vegetables and herbs in a range of pots and containers, including recycled ones such as plastic milk bottles, and kitchen sinks.

'An experienced horticulturist's monthly guide to gardening, with wise, clear and helpful advice on tackling the essential tasks and dealing with problems.' Gardens Illustrated One of the keys to happy gardening is knowing what to do and when for the best results. In this handy guide, experienced horticulturist Martyn Cox takes you through the gardening year, month by month, offering wise, clear and helpful advice on the essential tasks and how to avoid problems along the way. No matter the size of the plot, nor the expertise of the gardener, The Gardener's Yearbook is the perfect handbook to return to throughout the seasons, with tips including: - How to get your lawn into shape for the summer - When you should plant lilies, roses and sweet peas - How and when to harvest and store your fruit and vegetables - When to prepare containers for winter - How to fit a water butt and start a compost bin - An easy-to-follow crop planner Featuring specially commissioned linocuts by artist Heather Tempest-Elliott.

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

The perfect season-led book to help you grow the best organic vegetables, fruit and herbs in a small urban space Many of us are trying to be more mindful in our approach to eating by choosing seasonal ingredients, and growing our own fruit and vegetables can benefit our health, the environment and even our wallet. Written over a year, City Veg is the candid account of an urban grower from her productive city plot - the size of two classic 1970s VW camper vans - with all the triumphs and minor woes that come with a small, suburban location. From planning and designing the garden in January to harvesting and using home-grown produce throughout the growing season, Cinead McTernan takes you on a personal journey that will entertain experienced growers and share plenty of practical information with newbie gardeners. With helpful growing advice, harvesting guides, tips and inspiration for garden projects, City Veg also includes quick and easy recipe ideas to help make the most of your bountiful yield.

Although urban allotment gardening dates back to the nineteenth century, it has recently undergone a renaissance of interest and popularity. This is the result of greater concern over urban greenspace, food security and quality of life. This book presents a comprehensive, research-based overview of the various features, benefits and values associated with urban allotment gardening in Europe. The book is based on a European COST Action project, which brings together researchers and practitioners from all over Europe for the first detailed exploration of the subject on a continent-wide scale. It assesses the policy, planning and design aspects, as well as the social and ecological benefits of urban allotment gardening. Through an examination of the wide range of different traditions and practices across Europe, it brings together the most recent research to discuss the latest evolutions of urban allotment gardening and to help raise awareness and fill knowledge gaps. The book provides a multidisciplinary perspective, including insights from horticulture and soil science, ecology, sociology, urban geography, landscape, planning and design. The themes are underpinned by case studies from a number of European countries which supply a wide range of examples to illustrate different key issues.

Through telling the story of the White House Kitchen Garden, Obama explores how increased access to healthful, affordable food can improve health for families across America with ideas on how to create community and urban gardens.

RHS Can Anything Stop Slugs assists with all of the most common problems encountered in a garden - as well as some slightly more unusual ones. The RHS's Chief Horticulturist, Guy Barter, provides expert advice, responding to the questions posed by thousands of gardeners every year. This entertaining and informative guide provides a wealth of information. Feature boxes of interesting facts enable you to really get to grips with the issue at hand. As the cause of a problem is not always apparent, the main symptom is used as the starting point in each section, enabling you to troubleshoot all your garden problems. This is not a dull reference book full of lists - it is an easy-to-read and amusing look at how we battle with nature in our gardens, showing you how to either come out top or to surrender with dignity.

Start growing your own food at home! Whether you're an urban gardener, a first-time vegetable grower, or have your own allotment, this illustrated guide takes the uncertainty out of your harvest with clear, reliable gardening advice for every month of the year. This gardening reference guide is filled with gardening tips on growing everything from herbs and kale to strawberries and rhubarb. Inside, you'll find: - Month-by-month chapters that break down what to do through the year, with instructions on what to sow and plant and the gardening tasks to focus on - Visual galleries accompany every chapter that showcases the products that can be harvested during that month - Crop planners that provide a catalogue of more than 60 fruits, vegetables, and herbs that can be grown in an allotment or kitchen garden - "Allotment know-how" chapter that offers detailed, accessible advice on preparing your allotment, choosing the correct tools and equipment, and making the most of your plot with crop rotation - "Troubleshooter" chapter that breaks down the warning signs of pests, diseases, and disorders, with detailed advice on preventing and/or treating these issues Wondering how to grow your own fruits and vegetables or how to make the most out of your existing allotment? Allotment Month by Month has everything you need to know about how to grow your own fruit and vegetables: when to sow, how to cultivate, advice on pesticide use - and step-by-step garden projects like making a compost bin. With more than 60 fruit and vegetable crop planners, this gardening book is your go-to guide to growing fresh, seasonal produce in your kitchen garden, on your plot or in smaller city spaces. Month-by-month alerts help you guard against the season's garden pests and diseases to ensure a top-quality harvest. This new edition has updated recommendations for the best varieties to grow and all the latest expert gardening advice.

Joel Morrow was editor of the journal Biodynamics for over thirty years, in which he published regular 'biographies' of vegetables. The 76 biographies in this book address all aspects of the vegetables, including how to grow them, their climate of origin, their transformation over time, and their nutritional and therapeutic potential. Arranged alphabetically -- from Asian Brassicas to Winter Squash -- this unique book is more than just a gardening guide. Inspired by Rudolf Steiner's spiritual view of nature, it offers a complete understanding of the vegetables, revealing their inner characteristics and helping growers to improve plant health and yields.

Grow your own apples, figs, plums, cherries, pears, apricots, and peaches in even the smallest backyard! Ann Ralph shows you how to cultivate small yet abundant fruit trees using a variety of specialized pruning techniques. With dozens of simple and effective strategies for keeping an ordinary fruit tree from growing too large, you'll keep your gardening duties manageable while at the same time reaping a bountiful harvest. These little fruit trees are easy to maintain and make a lovely addition to any home landscape.

"Small is Bountiful" covers everything you need to start growing your own food, however small the space available to you. Whether you have never grown anything before or are a seasoned gardener looking for new ideas, you'll find both inspiration and practical tips on planting, harvesting and nurturing. Each chapter takes you through the different stages of how to get the very best from your garden: Big Ideas for Small Spaces looks at the space and site you have available for growing crops. Small Bites offers ideas for planting fast-growing crops such as leafy salads, edible flowers, and herbs, and Bigger Servings explains how to increase the yield of fruiting and root crops. Here you'll find favourites such as potatoes for the patio and a crate of cook's herbs. There is advice on choosing the right plants, planting ideas, and detailed care instructions, plus recipes and tips on how to store and preserve your bountiful harvest. The featured planting has been developed around planting 'recipes', based on how you would use the harvest in the kitchen - for example the container "A Taste of Italy" gives you a marvellous tomato and basil combination. With beautiful photography and clear instructional text, the 34 projects look as good as they taste.

Discover how to keep your garden in the best of health. Ideal for first-time gardeners, Grow Pests & Diseases contains everything you need to know to prevent and treat a wide range of plant pests, diseases, disorders, and more. Far more than a simple list of treatments, this book shows you how to keep plants in top condition, recognise the signs of ill-health, and decide whether or not intervention is needed, while the fully illustrated ailment directory is organised by symptom and plant type for quick and easy identification. Packed with practical, jargon-free know-how, this easy-to-use guide has everything you need to know to help your garden Grow.

Discover the joy of growing and using plants indoors and outdoors, no matter how limited your space. This beautifully illustrated book is a modern, fresh take on gardening that shows how anyone can grow their own vegetables, create a mini wildflower meadow or learn how to make the most of their houseplants. And you don't need your own garden to get started. Creating a thriving window box, choosing suitable plant pots for a desktop oasis or joining a local community garden are perfect ways to experience the joys of gardening. Learn which plants will encourage wildlife, discover what works best for your space (no matter how small), find inspiration, experiment with colour, texture and techniques. Whatever you choose to grow, you'll be doing one of the best activities there is to enhance your sense of well-being and improve your physical health - so grab those seeds, pick up the watering can and get growing!

"No Time to Grow?" is an invaluable guide which shows how with good planning, organisation and a little patience, the smallest piece of ground can be worked to make a significant contribution to a healthy diet. The philosophy is always that it is better to give it a go and produce something than not try and to produce nothing. The author sets out to demonstrate ways of working and thinking to enable the production of a relatively large amount of fruit and vegetables with minimal time investment. Using organic principles throughout, the book takes the reader from some general principles of low effort gardening, through clearing the land the easy way, establishing a basic cropping plan, to expanding it and making that plan sustainable. It also includes suggestions on the easiest ways of growing a wide selection of vegetables and fruit. These sections are complemented with a brief review of poultry keeping and a selection of recipes to use some of the garden's produce. "No Time to Grow?" sets out to provide a unique approach to back yard food production viewing the activity as an integrated whole rather than a list of separate crops to produce.

From Minnesota to Moscow - how to grow fresh figs in cold climates Growing Figs in Cold Climates is a complete, full-color, illustrated guide to organic methods for growing delicious figs in cold climates, well outside the traditional hot, arid home of this ancient fruiting tree. Coverage includes: Five methods for growing figs in cold climates including overwintering Cultivar selection for cool and cold climates Pruning techniques for a variety of methods of growing figs in cold climates Pest problems and solutions Harvesting, including ways to speed ripening, identify ripe fruit, and manage an overabundance Small-scale commercial fig production in cold climates. Fresh figs are juicy, full-bodied, and filled with a honey-sweet flavor, and because truly ripe figs are highly perishable, they are only available to those who grow their own. By choosing the right cultivars and techniques, figs can be grown across cool and cold growing zones of North America, Europe, and beyond, putting them within reach of almost every gardener. Easy and delicious - if you can grow a houseplant, you can grow a fig.

A new approach to foraging Roger Phillips is the legendary godfather of foraging. Drawing upon decades of experience, his knowledge of wild food is unrivalled and in this richly illustrated book he shares some of his most recently gathered wisdom, collected from around the world. Roger reveals the edible and therapeutic secrets of our fields, woodlands and flower beds, and suggests tips for sourcing delicious morsels growing throughout the countryside and in our gardens. He also describes the native habitat and history of many fascinating plants and fungi, both common and unusual: from the camas bulbs eaten by the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest, to the Italian and Spanish favourite, Caesar's amanita; from hostas, the familiar garden foliage consumed as a succulent vegetable in Japan, to the newly popular Australian citrus fruits. The Worldwide Forager is divided into four sections: mushrooms and fungi; flowers, leaves and herbs; fruit and nuts; and roots and tubers, and Roger uses each one to provide a wide range of ideas for making your meals more colourful, delicious and sustainable.