THE BOOK IN 19 WORDS: A CANCER PATIENT DISCOVERS THAT GARDENING IS GOOD MEDICINE - AND FINDS A POWERFUL HEALING PARTNER IN HER OWN BACKYARD. Jenny Peterson is a breast cancer survivor. Her long road through cancer treatment was hard, emotional and often deeply depressing. The one thing that pulled her out of the darkness was her desire to be able to garden again. Peterson credits her garden with clearing her mental fog and overcoming her depression, physical limitations and pain. The Cancer Survivor's Garden Companion explores the therapeutic benefits of this vital "earth connection." With gentle empathy, beautiful photographs and easy how-to steps, she shows others how to create their own backyard haven for healing - a personal restorative garden - with a bonus of well-grounded guidance about diet, exercise, mental focus and spiritual renewal.

'A remarkable book from one of our greatest plant experts' DAILY TELEGRAPH With a new introduction by Monty Don In revealing what worked in her own garden, Beth Chatto passes on a wealth of advice gleaned from her personal experience. She provides detailed - and accessible - ideas on garden management, plans for every type of soil and situation, nearly twenty specially tailored lists to help with planting in various conditions, and descriptions of over a thousand suitable plants for making the most of damp ground.

'The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies.'

Gertrude Jekyll

Whether you are in need of some blossoming inspiration or your fingers are the colour of freshly mown grass, this compendium is overflowing with snippets of fascinating folklore and tips for making your garden grow. Follow the garden path to horticultural heaven and learn about:

- Growing your own herbs to make therapeutic delights

- Banning bugs and slugs and attracting beneficial creatures

- Recycling old household items for gardening solutions

- Keeping bees and chickens

- Cooking up your produce, even the weeds

- Why you should always keep a leek in your attic and never kill a ladybird

Overcome the problems every gardener faces with helpful solutions to the problem of shady spots, and handy tips on how to make the most of these notoriously difficult areas. Includes: * creative design ideas for brightening up dark spaces, including north-facing walls * directory of shade-loving plants * care advice for shady lawns and how to deal with moss and algae * ways to achieve year-round colour and interest Alan Titchmarsh imparts a lifetime of expertise in these definitive guides for beginners and experienced gardeners. Step-by-step illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions guide you through the basic gardening skills and on to the advanced techniques, providing everything you need to create and maintain your dream garden.