Foraging for Edible Wild Plants is a practical and attractive guide to the many edible varieties of wild plant that grow all around us. It will appeal to gardeners, botanists, cooks and foragers, and to anyone who wants to control invasive plants and weeds in eco-friendly ways. Wild plants have many virtues. They are: Valuable for wildlife and beneficial insects. Good for the soil - locking in nutrients Helpful in the accumulation of trace elements in soil Hosts for essential mycorrhizal fungi underground Interesting and unusual ingredients in cooking Foraging for Edible Wild Plants provides full details of over 50 edible species, with: Illustrated notes on appearance and habitat Valuable nutritional information advice on how to cook them numerous recipe suggestions for jams, cordials, pesto, salads and soups fascinating historical facts tips for non-culinary uses such as dyes from nettles and soap from soapwort advice on controlling invasive species such as knotweed (eat them!) identifying wild plants that are harmful if eaten attractive colour photographs throughout. Foraging for Edible Wild Plants covers both common plants, such as nettle, dandelion, chickweed and ground elder, and less common ones, such as brooklime and wintercress. The author is a qualified dietician and horticulturalist, who puts her troublesome weeds to good use. Put Foraging for Edible Wild Plants on the bookshelf to do the same and welcome some new, plentiful edibles into the kitchen.

Originally published in 1896. A well illustrated practical treatise on propagating, growing, and exhibiting from the cutting to the silver cup. Many of the earliest gardening books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing many of these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Social and ecological guidelines for designing and maintaining small parks

Designing Small Parks: A Manual for Addressing Social and Ecological Concerns draws on a wide range of knowledge to provide a one-stop reference to building better parks.

Integrating design criteria with current social and natural science research, Designing Small Parks presents landscape architects, park designers, park departments, planners, scientists, and civic groups with a broad palette of design options. Beginning with an overview of key issues and terms, this accessible manual is arranged around twelve topics that represent key questions, contradictions, and tensions in the design of small parks.

Designing Small Parks features: Concise guidelines providing immediate access to critical information Fundamental material on size, edges, appearance, and naturalness Ecological and human environment coverage of water, plants, wildlife, and air and climate Succinct summaries of issues surrounding clients and other involved parties Over 100 drawings and photographs illustrating design details Up-to-date scientific research Five conceptual design examples that offer hands-on applications of covered material

Driveways, paths and patios are an essential part of most properties and this comprehensive book provides a detailed explanation of exactly how they are designed, planned and constructed. Discusses the design of driveways, paths and patios with reference to their planned use, style, size, gradients and special features such as steps, ramps and terraces. Considers the range of materials available including block paving, flags, slabs, setts, cubes, cobbles, loose aggregates, plain & patterned concrete and tarmac. Analyses how to estimate costs and making the choice between the DIY approach and using a professional contractor. Examines the critical issue of drainage. Lays bare the mathematics associated with accurate setting-out and levelling. Describes the range of tools and equipment needed. Details the correct constructions of kerbs and edging and laying methods for flags, block paving and much more.

Originally published in 1883, this early works on American Grape Vines is extensively illustrated throughout. In this revised edition will also be found a far more exhaustive article on Grafting than was presented in the former. The author has also included a few hint on the subject of Wine Making, with much of the information still being useful and practical today this works is thoroughly recommended for inclusion on the bookshelf of any grower. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900's and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

This little book is addressed to those gardeners who love roses but who perhaps have not had sufficient experience in growing them to produce them at their best. Complete in its unabridged, original form, extensively illustrated and full of instruction that is as useful and practical today as it was when originally published. Contents include - Preface - The Evolution Of The Modern Rose - Planning And Preparing A Rose-Garden - A selection Of Modern Hybrid Tea Roses For The Garden - The Polyanthia Roses - Climbers And Ramblers - The Rose As A Flowering Shrub - Planting - Pruning - Propagate Your Own Plants - Manures And Manuring - Pests And Dieases - Pot-Roses Under Glass - Rose-Shows. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Originally published in 1901. The author was Dean of Rochester and a respected expert on rose growing. The illustrated contents include: Causes of Failure Causes of Success Our Queen of Beauty Position Soils Manures Arrangements Selection Garden Roses Rose Shows Roses for Exhibition How to Show Memoranda for the Months A Select List of Exhibition and Garden Roses etc. Many of the earliest gardening books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing many of these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Indigenous Healing Plants is a fascinating compilation of the uses of more than 140 indigenous plants, from well-known garden favourites such as agapanthus and scented geraniums to lesser known plants like agt-dae-geneesbossie and ashwaganda. Margaret Roberts, in her inimitable style, shares the story of each plant's history and its various uses - medicinal, in cooking, as natural insect repellents and deodorisers - along with tried-and-tested recipes, as well as brief notes on how to grow it in the garden. The plants are illustrated by Sandy's full-colour photographs, alongside Margaret's delicate line drawings. This fully updated and expanded edition of Indigenous Healing Plants, which was first published in 1995, now includes an additional 15 indigenous medicinal plants as well as a new section on naturalised weeds and foraged food plants. This book records traditional wisdom and practical information on the many uses of indigenous South African plants and will appeal to anyone interested in health, gardening, cooking and homecrafting. It also offers a historical perspective and botanical detail that will be of interest to students of Botany, Homeopathy and Medicine.

Lack of space to plant your favorite fruit trees, vegetables, and/or herbs should not prevent you from having a garden that will yield fresh produce for you and your family to enjoy. Most families that live in apartments, condominium units, or places that don't offer a big enough space to create a regular garden turn to container gardening. Although a container garden has many similarities with a regular garden, you may need to exert some extra work in terms of proper care and maintenance. If you can choose the plants that blend well together, then your container garden can provide added aesthetic appeal to the interior of your home while providing fresh and organic produce on your table. Let's face the truth; it is absurd to believe that commercially bought fruits, vegetables, and herbs are not without pesticides even if the store boasts that they only sell organic produce.

Eat homegrown food all year round and save money on your weekly shop by following a simple plan for self-sufficiency.

Huw Richards and Sam Cooper have spent the past two years planning and trialling their very own self-sufficiency garden in a 10x12.5m plot and now they've worked out the perfect formula. Grow six portions of nutritious veg a day per person following their month-by-month growing plan, which is realistic and flexible with cost, space, and time in mind.

• Learn about Huw's self-sufficiency ethos, goals and approaches
• Create your garden and learn how to build all the growing spaces you will need, such as hot beds and polytunnels
• Follow month-by-month planting plans with guidance on key tasks throughout the year
• Discover useful kitchen tips meal prep, storage, and preserving ideas along with base recipes so you can make the most of your crops

This book helps you in choosing the perfect plant for every location in your garden, with 120 photographs. You can understand the properties of different soils, from acid and alkaline to light sand and heavy clay. You can make the most of various different locations within your garden, including moist, shady, dry and sunny. It includes advice on making the best choices and using the right planting and growing techniques - from mulching and feeding to deadheading and pruning - to ensure stunning, healthy plants in every area of the garden. It includes a quick reference chart of the most popular garden plants and their individual requirements. Putting a plant in the right location and soil will ensure that it has the best possible start and chance of long-term health. This book explains how to successfully match plants to the conditions in your garden. It covers the basics of ground preparation, sowing and planting, as well as offering tips on plant maintenance. All the different soil types are described and illustrated, showing how they influence the types of plants that can be grown. A chart of popular plants provides information on preferred soil types, position, planting and flowering times, ensuring that you choose the right varieties for the specific soil and climate conditions in your garden.