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.

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.

"A genius little book! This is a fascinating guide to herbs and what to do with them - love it!" Jamie Oliver From rosemary to wild garlic, and hyssop to sea kale, our food would be poorer without the herbs we grow. Jekka McVicar is the expert on herbs and how to get the best from them, and this new pocket book is the go-to guide for chefs and gardeners across the country. In a compact and handy A-Z format, this guide will ensure you get the best out of your herb garden, providing details such as when and where to plant, how hardy each plant is, how to nurture and care for your herbs and what each herb is best used for in the kitchen. Jekka's own photography of the herbs complements the text, providing a quick and colourful reference.

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.

Forage is a beautifully illustrated celebration of edible plants that can be found throughout the world. Anybody can enjoy the increasingly popular back-to-nature activity of foraging. In some countries these plants are now forgotten as food, but in others they are still celebrated for their value as nutritious, delicious ingredients and cooking with wild plants is increasingly being adopted by mainstream restaurants. Journeying through 50 globally populated edible plants, Forage explores the culture and history of our wild food. Stunning botanical illustrations by artist Rachel Pedder-Smith accompany each plant, alongside recipes inspired by the regions of the world where they are most celebrated.

Gardeners from Key West to Lake Okeechobee and on up the coasts know that gardening advice for the rest of the country just doesn't apply here. South Florida is unique, and The Art of South Florida Gardening is uniquely intended for South Florida gardeners, who have depended on the solid advice in this book since the first edition came out more than a decade ago. Now it has been updated with more helpful facts, tips, and advice for the conservation-conscious gardener of the 21st century, while maintaining the practical, easygoing attitude South Florida gardeners have found so comforting over the years. This book still makes gardening in South Florida inviting and fun, whether you are an old hand or have just moved hereand even if you have never before considered getting your hands dirty. Harold's warm, wise voice is always encouraging and enthusiastic, and Coralee's lively engaging prose will have you reading as much for pleasure as for its valuable information.

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.

Since it's grand opening in June 2007, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay has become one of Maine's most popular attractions and one the most distinguished botanical destinations in the country. "Wow!" is the word most often heard from visitors who explore the exquisite gardens, stunning stonework, exceptional natural landscapes, waterfalls, and sculptures. The goal of the Gardens is to preserve the botanical heritage and natural landscapes of coastal Maine. Comprising nearly 250 acres, with numerous themed gardens-including the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses, The Giles Rhododendron and Perennial Garden, and the Burpee Kitchen Garden-miles of trails, and a rich variety of events year-round, the Gardens has something for everyone. Celebrating the Fifth Anniversary of the Maine Botanical Gardens, and honoring the sixteen years of planning and construction that went into them, this book is an inspiring tribute to thisparadise on the Maine coast. Bursting with vivid color photographs, information about the Gardens, and a pinch of practical advice for gardeners, it makes a wonderful keepsake or a great gift to inspire others to visit the Gardens.

Leading floral designers Putnam & Putnam are back - now with the ultimate flower-arrangement reference book

The follow-up to Darroch and Michael Putnam's acclaimed bestselling debut, Flower Color Theory is the only guide that uses color theory as inspiration for flower arrangements. The book features 175 arrangements that show myriad ways to combine flowers of different hues, all built around color schemes including analogous, complementary, monochromatic, triadic, transitional, and accent colors. Flower Color Theory is both inspirational and a guide to creating lush, romantic, and effortlessly elegant creations of your own.

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