This book on fundamentals of vegetable production includes the on prospects and scope of vegetable farming, constraints in vegetable production, importance of vegetables in human nutrition, classification of vegetables, types of vegetable gardening, climatic impact on vegetable production, seed treatment, nursery management, sowing and transplanting, manures, fertilizers, biofertilizers, water management, mulching and weed management in vegetable crops since the information on the previously mentioned aspects is scattered at diverse sources. This book is self-contained document aimed at imparting elementary knowledge to the undergraduate and postgraduate students, Horticulture Development Officers of the State Horticulture Department and others who have interest in gaining basic knowledge in the field of vegetable crop production. Adoption of scientific knowledge will definitely be rewarding to the vegetable growers and the nation, which ultimately achieves the goal of obtaining higher production. This book is aimed at providing systematic information on all modern principles of vegetable production at a single source. The book contains latest information on fundamentals of vegetable production. The book has been written in a very simple language, which is easy to understand. It is believed that this book will find wide acceptability and undoubtedly assist the students in developing knowledge, skills and expertise regarding principle aspects of vegetable production. This book will prove to be a milestone for the undergraduate students of Agriculture and postgraduate students of Vegetable Science, teachers, Horticulture Extension Specialists, Horticulture Development Officers of the State Horticulture Department and it can also be of great use to the progressive farmers who are intended to take up vegetable cultivation either on a small or commercial scale.

Forest Gardening (or agroforestry) is a way of growing edible crops with nature doing most of the work. A forest garden imitates young natural woodland, with a wide range of crops grown in vertical layers. Species are chosen for their beneficial effects on each other, creating a healthy system that maintains its own fertility, with little need for digging, weeding or pest control. The result of this largely perennial planting is a tranquil, beautiful and productive space. This book is a bible for permaculture and forest gardening, with practical advice on how to create a forest garden, from planning and design to planting and maintenance. It explains how a forest garden is designed from the top down: the canopy layer first, then the shrub layer, the perennial ground-cover layer, the annuals & biennials next, the climbers and nitrogen fixers and finally the clearings, living spaces and paths. Whether in a small back garden or in a larger plot, the environmental benefits of growing this way are great. Forest Gardens are a viable solution to the challenge of a changing climate: we can grow food sustainably in them without compromising soil health, food quality or biodiversity. Forest gardens: store carbon dioxide in the soil and in the woody biomass of the trees and shrubs. enable the soil to store more water after heavy rains, minimizing flooding and erosion. boost the health of the ecosystem, ensuring a balance of predators and beneficial insects because mixed planting is crucial to the scheme. allows the soil to thrive because it is covered with plants all year round. Creating a Forest Garden includes a detailed directory of over 500 trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials, annuals, root crops and climbers. As well as more familiar plants such as fig and apple trees, blackcurrants and rosemary shrubs, you can grow your own chokeberries, goji berries, yams, heartnuts, bamboo shoots and buffalo currants. Forest gardens produce fruits, nuts, vegetables, seeds, salads, herbs, spices, firewood, mushrooms, medicinal herbs, dye plants, soap plants, and honey from bees. This book tells you everything you need to create your own forest garden with beautiful illustrations and helpful tips throughout.

Known as the guru of no-dig, Charles Dowding has updated his definitive book on salad-growing in this beautifully illustrated new edition: how to have tasty salad leaves all year round in a garden, balcony or windowsill; how to grow micro leaves and how to serve them in delicious recipes, all using organic or permaculture principles. Great for food lovers keen to eat tasty food with a low carbon footprint. This compendium of practical methods for growing a wide variety of salads throughout the year, will inspire you to grow your own, whether on a windowsill, in your garden or on the allotment. Here is all the information you need for productive, healthy and tasty salads. Learn the subtleties of salad seasons and virtues of different leaves throughout the year. And when your table is groaning with the abundance of your harvests, there are delicious and imaginative recipes by Stephanie Hafferty, exploiting the fantastic flavours, colour and vitality of home grown salad leaves.