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Books > Health, Home & Family > Gardening > General
In The Cabaret of Plants, Mabey explores the plant species which have challenged our imaginations, awoken our wonder, and upturned our ideas about history, science, beauty and belief. Picked from every walk of life, they encompass crops, weeds, medicines, religious gathering-places and a water lily named after a queen. Beginning with pagan cults and creation myths, the cultural significance of plants has burst upwards, sprouting into forms as diverse as the panacea (the cure-all plant ginseng, a single root of which can cost up to $10,000), Newton's apple, the African 'vegetable elephant' or boabab - and the mystical, night-flowering Amazonian cactus, the moonflower. Ranging widely across science, art and cultural history, poetry and personal experience, Mabey puts plants centre stage, and reveals a true botanical cabaret, a world of tricksters, shape-shifters and inspired problem-solvers, as well as an enthralled audience of romantics, eccentric amateur scientists and transgressive artists. The Cabaret of Plants celebrates the idea that plants are not simply 'the furniture of the planet', but vital, inventive, individual beings worthy of respect - and that to understand this may be the best way of preserving life together on Earth.
Challenged to prove her claim that an 18th-century diet was better than today's, for a full year Fiona J Houston recreated the lifestyle of her 1790s rural Scottish ancestors in a basic one-roomed cottage, cooking from her garden and the wild, often entertaining family and friends, and surviving on her own resources. She learned lost crafts and skills, making nettle string, quill pens and ink as well as cheese and ale, lighting her fire from flints, and dressing in hand-sewn period clothing, with nothing but an old range stove and candles for warmth and light. This beautiful, quirky, illustrated title tells her extraordinary story and is packed with historical anecdotes, folklore, practical gardening info, seasonal menus, recipes, wildlife notes and more. Includes linocuts, photos and historic engravings.
Only one thing is standing between you and a fabulous lawn: It's called Lawn Care For Dummies. If you want a spiffy and well-coifed lawn (and not the overgrown, unruly one that people comment on when they pass by your house), you'll find everything you need to know to help you make your lawn the most dazzling spectacle on the block. Let authors Lance Walheim and the gardening experts at the National Gardening Association treat you and your yard to a megadose of lawn care information. In Lawn Care For Dummies, Walheim and the NGA give you the dirt on all the essentials, including how to
An insider's guide to the world's greatest 'secret' gardens, green spaces, and pocket parks tucked away in cities around the globe Cities everywhere are graced with charming but little-known, off-the-beaten-track gardens and green spaces, offering urbanites in the know a chance to immerse themselves in nature. These often small, well-kept secrets are not as grand as those on the tourist trail but are equally delightful and rewarding to visit, if you know where to find them. Green Escapes is the revelatory insider's guide to these secret gems. Each of them open to the public, the gardens range from pocket parks, courtyards, and rooftop terraces, to community gardens and more.
The Little Book of Little Gardens is an artistic demonstration and playful collection of the internationally acclaimed 'Pot Hole Gardener'. The UK's Sun newspaper described the popular and creative East London figure as the "Banksy of guerilla gardening." This collection of his best work is brought to life using the backdrop of a world mega-city urban environment transformed into this inspirational and photographic book titled The Little Book of Little Gardens. The Pot Hole Gardeners' journey from pot hole to pot hole provides unexpected scene's that brightens the lives of passers-by. As you take the journey with him, your imagination will wander in these themed yet informal gardens that use wonderful props and colourful seasonal flowers. The use of empty miniature benches and chairs inspires and questions the reader to ask - who uses them and why? What are the hidden messages or issues portrayed behind these small yet brilliant pop-up gardens? This must-have gift edition will take readers on a photographic journey down some of London's most iconic locations turning dirty into beautiful, crappy into happy; and doom into bloom.
More and more Florida residents are deciding to replace highly fertilized, over-watered, pesticide-dependent lawns with native plants. They want to reduce their carbon footprints; save time, water, and money; and attract birds and butterflies. But where to begin? This illustrated guide helps readers get started creating new outdoor spaces that are both sustainable and beautiful. Taking the common 1/3-acre lot as an example, Ginny Stibolt and Marjorie Shropshire provide a sample layout for a basic native plant landscape. They use a grid system that allows gardeners to work on their yards in small sections instead of trying to revamp the entire landscape at once. And they break down the process into individual steps, making it manageable even for beginners. The first step is assessing your property and choosing which plants to keep and which to remove. Next, the book discusses how to handle rainwater, introduce trees, install a butterfly garden, use native plants as screening, make an outdoor ""room"" for entertaining, build wild areas into the landscape, and plan a smart maintenance program that relies on certain plants to keep boundaries neat and incorporates natural weed control. By following these methods, anyone can convert all or part of their yard into a more natural area without using pesticides or artificial fertilizers, which will save money and help support wildlife. Complete with detailed diagrams and lists of suggested plants for each step, this guide will help readers set up an environmentally-friendly habitat and give them the time and peace of mind to enjoy it.
Self Sufficiency begins in the home. It doesn't mean jumping ship and moving to a remote island, living off grid on a diet of pulses. Carl and Kal argue that it's about becoming less reliant on the weekly trip to the supermarket and more about making do. The A-Z of Practical Self Sufficiency is a guide to help you take those first daunting steps to a more rewarding and fulfilling lifestyle. It covers a wide range of topics, from A-Z; from helping you make your money go further (B= Budge Plans, bartering), to learning basic DIY skills (D) and looking at ways to produce a wide selection of crops whatever the size of your garden to but a few topics covered. With money saving tips on gardening, cooking, energy saving and even night schooling, this book strives to empower you with tried and tested methods and practices to help you along the way.
Spring, summer, autumn, and winter: wherever you are, the seasons come and go, bringing changes both welcome and unexpected. Japanese by birth, but transplanted to Europe in adulthood, Miki Sakamoto has spent a lifetime tending her garden and reflecting on its mysteries. Why do primulas bloom in snow? Do the trees really 'talk' to one another? What are the blackbirds saying today? And is there a mindful way to deal with an aphid infestation? From rising early to walk barefoot on the grass each morning, to afternoons and evenings spent sipping tea in her gazebo or watching fireflies as she recalls her childhood in Japan, in Zen in the Garden Sakamoto shares observations from a life spent in contemplation - and cultivation - of nature. She shows us that you can create Zen in your life, wherever you live and whatever form your outdoor space takes.
This is a concise calendar of practical tasks, covering all aspects of flower, kitchen and greenhouse gardening throughout all four seasons of the year. You can master a range of new gardening skills, with simple, illustrated step-by-step instructions. It includes suggestions for creative projects, as well as essential tasks to keep your garden looking good. It features a useful glossary of terms, and quick reference charts indicating what to do when in the garden. This practical handbook takes the guesswork out of knowing what to do when in the garden, right through the year. It gives advice on preparing the ground, sowing, planting and caring for plants, and harvesting fruit and vegetables, from early spring to late summer and into winter. Basic maintenance tasks are included, together with brilliant ideas for creative projects such as planting up a pretty hanging basket, making the most of summer bulbs in a mixed border, and which plants will extend the season. Illustrated with step-by-step techniques and packed with expert gardening tips, this book is an essential companion for every garden enthusiast.
There was a time when garden designer Cleve West questioned the importance of his role as a garden designer. Two things changed his mind: designing a garden for a hospital and adopting a vegan lifestyle. Cleve's transition to veganism was a profound and varied learning experience. He learned more about nutrition than when he studied it as part of a sports science degree. He learned a great deal about propaganda in the food industry and how, contrary to what he'd been led to believe, the cows and chickens in the dairy industry are far from 'happy'. He learned that animal agriculture is a leading cause of climate change and a whole range of environmental catastrophes. He found that many illnesses have their origins in the consumption of animal products. He learned that a plant-based diet can alleviate some of these illnesses and sometimes even reverse them. He learned that a drive towards a plant-based diet could offset many of the environmental aspects of animal agriculture and make a positive transition to a more sustainable future. Everything started falling into place. It was all about plants. Suddenly, his role as a garden designer didn't seem so trivial after all. The Garden of Vegan charts Cleve's journey from its tentative beginnings to an understanding of the restorative power of gardens and a realization that some of the most destructive aspects of the Anthropocene can be mitigated or even fixed by plants.
No-till - a method of growing crops and providing pasture without disturbing the soil - has become an important alternative to standard farming practices. In this comprehensive guide to successful no-till vegetable farming for aspiring and beginning farmers, author Daniel Mays, owner and manager of an organic no-till farm in Maine, outlines the environmental, social, and economic benefits of this system. The methods described are designed for implementation at the human scale, relying primarily on human power, with minimal use of machinery. The book presents streamlined planning and record-keeping tools as well as marketing strategies, and outlines community engagement programs like CSA, food justice initiatives, and on-farm education.
'A wonderfully uplifting holistic book with many practical tips' - Mark Lane, BBC Gardener's World presenter and landscape gardener 'A delightful introduction for those wanting to learn ... how to reap the benefits that plants and gardens can have on our own health and wellbeing' - Sally Petitt, Head of Horticulture, Cambridge University Botanic Garden --- Getting outside, our hands in the earth, watching plants bud then burst into bloom: the slow pleasures of gardening are an age-old tonic for the soul. From sowing seeds to deadheading flowers, growing your own potatoes to welcoming feathered friends into your own garden, discover the joy to be found in every moment of gardening by slowing down, observing nature and planning ahead for the seasons. Happiest when surrounded by plants, Ellen Mary is passionate advocate for the benefits of nature for wellbeing, spreading the word through The Plant Based Podcast and her regular talks. The Joy of Gardening includes: * Understanding your soil * How to sow seeds and care for young plants * Tips for recycling and reducing waste in your garden * How to encourage wildlife into your garden * Harvesting and cooking with fresh produce * Choosing and planting trees for both small and larger gardens * And much, much more!
There has been a resurgence of community gardening over the past decade with a wide range of actors seeking to get involved, from health agencies aiming to increase fruit and vegetable consumption to radical social movements searching for symbols of non-capitalist ways of relating and occupying space. Community gardens have become a focal point for local activism in which people are working to contribute to food security, question the erosion of public space, conserve and improve urban environments, develop technologies of sustainable food production, foster community engagement and create neighbourhood solidarity. Drawing on in-depth case studies and social movement theory, Claire Nettle provides a new empirical and theoretical understanding of community gardening as a site of collective social action. This provides not only a more nuanced and complete understanding of community gardening, but also highlights its potential challenges to notions of activism, community, democracy and culture.
In "Native American Medicinal Plants," anthropologist Daniel E.
Moerman describes the medicinal use of more than 2700 plants by 218
Native American tribes. Information -- adapted from the same
research used to create the monumental "Native American
Ethnobotany" -- includes 82 categories of medicinal uses, ranging
from analgesics, contraceptives, gastrointestinal aids, hypotensive
medicines, sedatives, and toothache remedies.
Andy McIndoe is one of the world's foremost woody plant experts. In Shrubs, he gives home gardeners the information and advice they need to pick the right shrub for every and condition. Shrubs are the perfect plant - they are low-maintenance, there is a variety for nearly every need, and they are widely available at garden centers and nurseries. And with this handy guide, McIndoe makes it easier than ever for gardeners to decide which shrubs to add to their space. The book includes shrubs challenging growing conditions, shrubs for restricted planting spaces, and shrubs chosen for their desirable characteristics, including hardiness in shade, difficult soil, and harsh conditions. Plant profiles include complete growing information, color photographs, and recommended companion plants.
CBD and other cannabis-based products are widely available and popular, with the number of dispensaries increasing exponentially every month. But not all products are equal in terms of quality. The best rule of thumb to know the grower or, even better, grow a small quantity of the plant in the home garden and make your own medicines. This beginner-friendly guide, written by a herbalist who specializes in every aspect of making and using cannabis medicine, teaches how to grow healthy cannabis plants outdoors for personal use, and make your own customized remedies for addressing a range of common ailments and chronic conditions. With step-by-step photography taken in her own garden, author Tammi Sweet, shows the growing phases of the plant and details techniques for planting, caring for, harvesting, drying, and curing the plant. A complete how-to guide to medicine-making shows the reader how easy it is to make potent, safe, and affordable whole-plant tinctures, salves, edibles, and oils.
Medicinal plants and plant-derived medicine are widely used in traditional cultures all over the world and they are becoming increasingly popular in modern society as natural alternatives to synthetic chemicals. As more and more natural remedies are being commercialised, there is a need for a user-friendly reference guide to the plants and their products. The book gives the reader a bird's eye view of more than 350 of the best known medicinal plants of the world and their uses, in a compact, colourful and scientifically accurate reference text. It provides quick answers to the most obvious questions: Where does this plant originate? What does it look like? In which culture is it traditionally used? What is it used for? Which chemical compounds does it contain? How safe is it? What is known about its pharmacological activity? What evidence is there that it is effective? The authors also provide short overviews of the various health conditions for which medicinal plants are used and the active compounds (secondary metabolites) found in the plants and their modes of actions. This new edition has an additional 30 plant species, many new and improved photographs and the text has been fully updated to reflect the latest regulatory status of each plant.
Every garden presents problems of one kind or another. It is inevitably windy, lacking in privacy too shady, badly drained, too large, too small or hopelessly overgrown. "Garden Rescue" is written to help gardeners to develop, reclaim or maintain their gardens more successfully, not only be surmounting problems, but often by turning them to advantage. Originally published as "Your Problem Garden" and revised and updated, this classic book seeks to explain not just the 'how' of the gardening, but the 'why' as well. Rather than trotting out cliched solutions, Richard Bisgrove helps the reader to understand the unique challenges posed by their gardens in order to come up with a tailor-made rescue package. Climate, soil character, planning and maintenance are all discussed, and there is a useful chapter devoted to recovering a garden that is in a poor state of repair.
This is a practical gardener's guide for animal lovers, including planting advice, designs and 90 step-by-step projects, with 1700 photographs. Turn your garden into a wildlife haven by growing the right plants to encourage beneficial insects, aquatic life, birds and animals. It includes illustrated directories of over 200 plant species, from annuals to climbers, with practical advice on cultivation and uses, plus 80 of the most common garden bird species, with identification illustrations and natural history information on distribution, size, distinguishing characteristics, behaviour, nesting, eggs and feeding habits. It includes practical step-by-step projects that show you how to make all kinds of birdhouses, bird tables, birdbaths, wildlife stacks and more. It features all the basic gardening techniques such as plant propagation, soil preparation, composting and general maintenance. Itis illustrated throughout with over 1700 practical colour artworks and photographs. One of the most enjoyable aspects of creating and maintaining a garden lies in the feeling of closeness to nature. Now, with this new book box set, you can encourage hidden birds, animal and insects to proliferate in your very own back garden. These two books, written by award-winning gardening experts, give clear advice on how to create a range of wildlife gardens, showing how adopting a few simple methods will produce a dazzling display of colour while helping native animal species. There are suggestions for the best flowers, shrubs, hedges and trees to attract birds, including a design for a garden border that will provide food throughout the seasons. Comprehensive directories explore over 200 beautiful garden plants, plus over 80 of the most common birds, insects and animals, from woodland and countryside locations to town and city environments. With its helpful practical advice and over 1700 photographs and illustrations, this is the ideal source book for gardeners, bird lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
This text provides readers with everything they need to know about cultivating and maintaining an indoor garden. It includes information on hydroponics, high intensity lighting, plant nutrient problems, insects, spider mites and diseases.
As the line between indoor and outdoor living spaces continues
to blur, creating greater fluidity and a feeling of openness,
homeowners are eager to tap into the projects that will enrich
their lives and beautify their homes. With over 300 fresh ideas
covering a range of patio and walkway styles and sizes, plus
top-notch design advice, "Patio & Walkway Ideas that Work "is
the most complete and up-to-date patio and walkway design
sourcebook. From pergolas to grilling islands, poolside patios to
front paths that make a grand statement, readers will delight in
having instant access to all the essentials of designing and
installing a new patio or walk, as well as accessorizing an
existing patio. "Patio & Walkway Ideas that Work "creates a
path to affordable, smart home improvement whether undertaking a
project yourself or hiring a contractor. "Patio & Walkway Ideas that Work "is the latest book in the
popular IDEAS THAT WORK series, which includes "Outdoor Kitchen
Ideas that Work, Bathroom Ideas that Work, Deck Ideas that Work,
Kitchen Ideas that Work," and others. |
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