A kitchen garden, or potager, is a celebration of the seasons: brimming with vegetables, herbs, flowers, and even fruit trees, it's our link with nature and a source for fresh produce. The kitchen garden has always been an important part of life in the rural south, at times meaning the difference between being well-fed or going to bed hungry. In recent times, the kitchen garden has become fashionable, and now more and more homeowners (in cities, suburbs, as well as the country) are reaping the delicious rewards of growing their own food. A kitchen garden needs little more than a small raised bed, so an aspiring gardener with only a modest backyard will have plenty of room to get started. Have a sprawling yard and an appetitie for an agricultural adventure? The kitchen gardener can try his hand at some produce requiring a little more space: fruit trees, corn, or pumpkins. Starting with location and soil preparation (where most gardens thrive or fail), authors William D. Adams and Thomas R. LeRoy will take you ste-by-step into the world of the southern kitchen garden. Planting guides for each fruit and vegetable, useful information on propogation and pest-control, recipes scattered throughout, and Adams' own beautiful photography make The Southern Kitchen Garden truly essential reading for all gardeners ready to bring along their produce from seed to the supper table.

The aim of this book is to describe some aspects of the chemistry and chemical ecology which are found in the garden. In the garden there are numerous interactions between plants, the soil and with other organisms in which chemistry plays a central mediating role. The discussion concerns several of the chemically and ecologically interesting compounds that are produced by common ornamental garden plants and vegetables and by the predators that attack them. Many chemists are amateur gardeners and this book is directed at them as well as those with a general interest in the scientific processes involved in the garden.

The glaciers that advanced and then receded through the Great Lakes region shaped Michigan's terrain and soil in ways that challenge and sometimes confound modern-day gardeners. Michigan today has 450 varieties of soil Before they can garden successfully, Michigan gardeners need to know what soil they have and how to address its shortcomings--and do that within the limitations of the state's climate and northern growing season. This book explains how Michigan gardeners can lengthen their growing seasons through careful plant selection, exploiting microclimates, and using season-extending products. Chapters focus on lawns, vegetables, flowers, and trees, plant diseases, and invasive plants.
Author Rita C. Henehan lives in White Pigeon, Michigan. She is a Master Gardener and frequent contributor to garden publications coast to coast, and often appears on the radio program Green Thumbs Up.

Embrace the unique and sustainable beauty of dried flowers with this bright, fun, and modern flower book from Carla Wingett, popular flower designer and founder of Idlewild Floral.

Move over dusty, neutral bouquets! Dried flowers get a much-needed makeover in Flora Nouveaux, a contemporary color-forward take on dried floral arrangements. Combining hundreds of gorgeous images with easy-to-follow how-to guidance on drying and arranging stunning blooms, expert florist Carla Wingett puts the power in your hands to easily create spectacular, sustainable, showstopping dried arrangements for any occasion. Turn the pages of this one-of-a-kind guide to find:

Gardening organically outdoors is prevalent in most horticultural circles these days, but what about gardening indoors? Many gardeners still use harsh synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides when growing plants in their homes. How can we choose to eat organic foods, buy natural personal-care products, clean our indoor air, and yet still blast our poor houseplants with toxic chemicals? It is time to put down that spray bottle. Going organic with houseplants is not only possible-the results are amazing Author Julie Bawden Davis brings us Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, a definitive guide to growing houseplants organically. From the dirt on mulch to eco-friendly ways to handle plant pests, Davis has provided this essential resource for novice and experienced gardeners alike. When you learn the specialized rules of gardening organically indoors, you'll soon reap the benefits of robust houseplants that will impress visitors and make your indoor environment a healthier place to be.

This all inclusive book explains the history behind our nation's selection of its flowers and trees. The stories are rich with political intrigues, legends, deception, botanical history, war and conquest, and humor, which makes each state's adoption a unique tale. For over a century, each state has adopted a flower and tree as symbols for its state and its people; in fact, some states have chosen several representatives. All state trees, except Hawaii's, are native to the state they represent. However, that is not the case with the state flowers as many of them are from other parts of the world. Whether legislators adopted them for the importance to their state's history, economy, or natives rare or common within the state, these symbols are highly honored by Americans. But, if the legislator's choices were simple, there would not be a need for this book, as their selections were extremely colorful as the flowers and grand as the trees.

The ultimate reference to growing plants from seed. Seeds are magical. Every little one has the potential to become a new plant and give you more seeds - connecting us to the circle of life and nature's endless ability to surprise and delight. The act of planting seeds and watching them grow into seedlings and then on into productive plants is enormously therapeutic. Even when things don't go to plan, the gardener is constantly learning, growing and deepening their connection to nature. It's an incredibly grounding and humbling experience that feeds the soul of the gardener. This beautifully illustrated guide will show readers how and when to harvest the seeds of 100 different garden plants and flowers, with advice on when and how to sow them, and where and when to plant them out. Alongside this hands-on guidance, the reader will be engaged with snippets of folklore and traditions that further enhance their appreciation of nature and help them discover the inherent magic of seeds. Whether the reader is a practising green witch, or simply an amateur gardener with a spiritual affinity with nature, this book will give them everything they need to successfully make a garden from seed and unlock the wonders of nature.

The original biodynamic sowing and planting calendar, now in its 61st year. The easy-to-view layout features detailed planting, tending and harvesting information to help growers maximise the yield and vitality of crops and plants. Trusted by generations of farmers and gardeners, the ultimate biodynamic calendar features: -- A clear layout making it simpler to plan what to do and when -- Space dedicated to detailed explanations of the recommended activities -- Information panels make it easy to use -- Clear headings and sections for fast look-ups -- Detailed planting, tending and harvesting information to maximise the yield and vitality of crops and plants -- Suitable for both seasoned biodynamic farmers and beginner gardeners -- Solar and lunar events, plus information on planetary aspects, are given dedicated space The calendar includes a pull-out wallchart that can be pinned up in a barn, shed or greenhouse as a handy quick reference.

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.

A compact guide to everything bonsai in the internationally best-selling bible format. The Japanese and Chinese have been creating bonsai trees for centuries and it is now an internationally popular pastime. This compact and stylish guide will provide everything you need to know to grow bonsai successfully, including shaping with wires, watering, seasonal maintenance, tackling common ailments, choosing the right container, feeding and repotting. A directory of over 90 of the most popular species, illustrated with beautiful photographs, will enable you to find the tree that is right for you.

Originally published in the late 1800s, this is a delightful book on gardening that still contains much information of relevance to today's gardeners. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork Contents Include - The General Management of the Garden - Lawns, Paths, Beds, and Border On the Duty of Making Experiments - Some Neglected but Handsome Plants - The Conservatory and Greenhouse - The Tool Shed and Summer House - Roses and Aateurs - Enimies of the Garden - The Rockery - Trees, and How to Treat them - Shrubs- The Inns and outs of Gardening - The Profitable Portion - Annuels and Biennials - Window-Boxes - Table Decoration - The Propagation of Plants - The Management of Room Plants - Various Hints

A handbook of greenhouse culture, excluding the fully heated greenhouse, but including frames and greenhouses with some heating apparatus. A book of modern technique and illustrating plants which can now be grown without heat or with moderate heat. A chapter is included on cheap greenhouse construction, with costs. Contents Include: Greenhouses Old and New Hard-Wooded Plants Climbing Plants Miscellaneous Plants for the Cold House Greenhouse Plants from Shed The Diseases of Plants under Glass Bulb Plants and Ferns On the Cost of the Various Types of Greenhouse Mentioned in Chapter 1 Keywords: Greenhouse Plants Climbing Plants Greenhouse Culture Greenhouse Construction Greenhouses Miscellaneous Moderate Heat Glass Bulb Heating Apparatus Ferns Shed Diseases