An essential guide to to the multifaceted plant, from a passionate gardener.

Lavender for All Seasons covers everything you need to know about the basics of growing lavender. Inspirational crafts and recipes that follow the seasons of the year will empower readers to discover how to integrate lavender beyond the garden and into the apothecary, pantry, and crafting space. For over twenty years, gardening expert Paola Legarre has been implementing sustainable farming practices, nourishing soil life, avoiding herbicides and synthetic fertilizers, rotating plantings with cover crops, and encouraging pollinators and beneficial insects through diversified plant hedgerows, and companion planting. With Legarre as a guide, readers will discover:

   ·The basics of growing lavender in different zones and conditions
   ·Growing requirements for healthy plants, including advice on pruning, pest control, propagation, and more
   ·An array of the best lavender varieties including species and cultivars for cooking, essential oils, crafting, landscaping and more
   ·Incorporating lavender as a key pollinator plant in your garden  
   ·How to harvest and preserve lavender flowers for multiple uses, including techniques for drying and distilling
   ·Enjoying the harvest with delicious recipes incorporating lavender as an essential herb in the kitchen

This volume collects 50 stories of gardening invention, innovation and discovery. Among them is that of Thomas Hyl, who in 1577 devised the first water sprinkler; Nathaniel Ward who began a craze for indoor gardening in 1829 with his terrarium case; and Henry Telende, who in 1720 grew England's first pineapple. From the invention of the trellis, flower pots and the waterscrew in the ancient world; via secateurs, jute string and flame guns in the Victorian age; to the Gro-Bag and Flymo of modern times, the ingenious achievements make an inspiring international collection.

In 'n klein tuin is dit noodsaaklik dat die ruimte deeglik beplan en ook goed versorg word. Omdat 'n mens met 'n beperkte area te doen het, verander die ontwerp beginsels ietwat, en kundige, praktiese gebruik van die beskikbare ruimte is dus essensieel. So kan 'n tuinpaadjie deel uitmaak van die spasie rondom die swembad, en as dit 'n bietjie breer gemaak word, is dit sommer terselfdertyd ook 'n bruikbare patio. Net so kan 'n klein swembad ook 'n water verfraaiing wees. As die woonplek se boustyl geometries en hoekig is, is reguit lyne verkieslik, tensy die beskikbare ruimte voldoende is vir kurwes. 'n Mens kan plante van verskillende hoogtes langs 'n skutmuur plant, en 'n houer met kleurvolle teen 'n kantmuur kan 'n swembad of visdam interessant laat lyk. 'n Sitplek wat natuurlik by die plante in die tuin inskakel, maak te veel meubels op die patio self onnodig. 'n Kussing wat spesiaal vir die sitplek gemaak word is boonop gerieflik en sorg vir 'n spatseltjie bykomende kleur. 'n Klein tuintjie moet te alle tye onberispelik lyk juis omdat dit nie groot is nie. Dan kan 'n mens dit n sy geheel dwarsdeur die jaar geniet. Die geheim is om houers en beddings altyd kleurvol te hou, hetsy met blomme of loof van verskillend kleure. U plaaslike tuinsentrum sal u met raad en daad bystaan sodat u klein tuin die hele jaar lank 'n lushof kan wees. Onthou dat plante, net soos mense, kos en water nodig het, asook nuwe potgrond en kompos en selfs 'n vars laag bogrond. Geniet u tuin en mag die hoofstukke in hierdie titel wat handel oor ontwerp, instandhouding, peste en siektes, houerplante en die reeks plante wat vir klein tuine geskik is, u nie net inspireer om tuin te maak nie, maar u ook jare van vreugde in u tuin verseker.

A host of innovative ideas for creating eye-catching garden features - from a honeysuckle porch to a herblined pathway - that make the most of your available gardening space. In this title you will find 56 illustrated step-by-step projects with easy-to-follow instructions, specially devised by two inspired gardeners, plus a comprehensive reference section with plenty of practical tips and wise advice on basic gardening techniques.

Soft cover (Flexibound); full colour and laminated

Gardening, the most practised hobby in the world, survived through time and became a way of life for dedicated gardeners. Enthusiastic gardeners in South Africa are faced with unique challenges in all of the country's regions.

The way we garden - month by month covers each of the climatic regions in our country. Its contents include monthly gardening activities for each region as discussed in 'Regular tasks for the month', handy hints on various gardening aspects, the 'Ant' shares its wisdom, practical discussions on topics like compost making, pruning, nourishment and control of pests and diseases are some of the 'Topic of the month' content and a 'Plant of the month' closes each monthly chapter. There is also space for the gardener to write down pleasurable memories, notes and reminders.

The way we garden also provides more information on the influence of the moon's position in relation to aspects like soil moisture level, best planting time and consequently best growth of plants. The relation of earth elements to star signs and its influence on gardening is informative and gardeners can enjoy a tongue in cheek zodiac personality description of themselves.