'Giggles, gardens and good grub - I love these girls and I love this book' Davina McCall Rhubarb Rhubarb collects the witty, wide-ranging correspondence between Leiths-trained cook Mary Jane Paterson and award-winning gardener Jo Thompson. Two good friends who found themselves in a perfect world of cupcakes and centrepieces, they decided to demystify their own skills for one another: the results are sometimes self-deprecating, often funny, and always enlightening. Jo would find herself one day panicking about what to cook for Easter lunch: a couple of emails with Mary Jane and the fear subsided, and sure enough, a delicious meal appeared on the table. Meanwhile, Jo helped Mary Jane combat her irrational fear of planting bulbs by showing how straightforward the process can be. The book is full of sane, practical advice for the general reader: it provides uncomplicated, seasonal recipes that people can make in the midst of their busy lives, just as the gardening tips are interesting, quick and helpful for beginners. Mary Jane shares secrets and knowledge gathered over a lifetime of providing fabulous food for friends and family, while Jo's expertise in beautiful planting enables the reader to have a go at simple schemes with delightful results.

Building Commons and Community documents 45 years of the late Karl Linn's legacy creating neighborhood spaces for communities and by communities. In this richly-ilustrated landscape-format hardcover book, Linn presents his philosophies and practical wisdom. Linn created some of America's first community design centers, and his work inspired Eunice Shriver to initiate Americorps. In this richly-illustrated book, Linn presents his philosophies and practical wisdom to help people use the resources they find in their own surroundings to create welcoming shared spaces. In addition to an extensive addendum of resources for creating community commons, this work contains colorful photo-essay case studies of projects that cross boundaries between professional design and neighborhood activism provide inspiration and guidance for citizens and professionals who wish to collaborate to strengthen communities. Projects include community gardens, playgrounds, parks and other gathering places built on derelict or unused property by the people who use them. Landscape architect and child psychologist Karl Linn (1923-2005) was a beloved, down-to-earth, visionary leader of grassroots community building, who brought life to economically disenfranchised neighborhoods in cities from Boston to Berkeley. His book documents the creativity and ingenuity of working-class citizens, students and volunteer professionals who transformed derelict vacant lots and drab institutional settings into colorful and lively community commons in Boston, New York, Newark, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Louisville KY, Pittsburgh, Columbus OH, Chicago, St. Louis, San Francisco and Berkeley.

As the number of visitors to historic gardens has increased dramatically in recent years, demand has grown for information about the history both of individual gardens and of garden styles. This alphabetical glossary of over five hundred entries explains and illustrates such terms so that readers of garden literature and visitors to gardens may appreciate more fully what they are reading about or seeing. A final chapter outlines the work of leading British garden designers from John Evelyn to Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe.

Bring a Sensory Garden to life in a structured therapeutic horticulture program! Intergenerational gardening programs bring the generations together. This book presents a tested, hands-on, easy-to-use activity plan that benefits the development of relationships between adults over 70 and school-age children. It shows how to limit frustration for both groups, how to plan activities that are functional and non-contrived, and how to assure that the interaction between elders and children is rewarding and pleasant for both. The activities rely on inexpensive, readily available tools and resources available throughout the growing season. While other books have discussed designing a Sensory Garden for people with disabilities, Generations Gardening Together applies the Sensory Garden design to a specific population, with a focus on the human senses that are stimulated by the garden. This unique sourcebook shows you, step-by-step, how a Sensory Garden can come alive in a structured therapeutic horticulture program. Generations Gardening Together shows how to create a Sensory Garden that will stimulate young and old gardeners alike. It outlines a six-week program curriculum that has been used and developed over ten years to use gardening as a program to bring generations together. You'll learn therapeutic techniques that benefit elders by promoting self-esteem, creating feelings of pride, competence, and satisfactionboth from creating a garden and through passing on their knowledge and wisdom to the younger generation, inspiring them to use both their long-term and short-term memory skills, increasing physical stimulation, and providing the comfort of familiar plants and their aromas, which can trigger memories of people, places, and vocations. The activities in the book also benefit children through the establishment of a safe environment where people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can come togetheran ideal social situation in which youth can seek the wisdom of elders. Children learn important lessons about accountability, nurturing, and responsibility, for working in a garden teaches youth about life, death, hope, patience, and beauty. Each activity session described in Generations Gardening Together includes the following information: titledescribes the content of the program general statement of purposeidentifies the intent of the program goal(s)outlines the expected outcome(s) of the activity program proceduresprovides a detailed description of each step and the order of the program's activities evaluationincludes what and how therapeutic program goals are to be measured and recorded materials and equipmentidentifies all the necessary equipment and supplies needed to facilitate the program activity This important resource shows how to provide appropriate (separate) orientation to seniors and children, what to emphasize and what to avoid in creating a program in your community, how to create garden themes that reflect the interests of the participants (ethnic foods, bird and butterfly gardens, planting to attract wildlife, etc.), how to decide what activities are appropriate for the developmental level of the participants, and much more. Generations Gardening Together is an essential resource for therapeutic recreation specialists, occupational therapists, therapeutic horticulture professionals, activity coordinators, master gardeners, and anyone working in an environment where elders and children come together.

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.

Over 400 plants are listed along with their traditional uses; an explanation of the spiritual relationship of the Cherokee people with their environment; material drawn from conversations with North Carolina Cherokee elders.

The face of British gardening Monty Don and his wife Sarah tell the magical story of the garden they have built over the last decade THE JEWEL GARDEN is the story of the garden that over the past decade has bloomed from the muddy fields around the Dons' Tudor farmhouse, a perfect metaphor for the Monty and Sarah's own rise from the ashes of a spectacular commercial failure. At the same time THE JEWEL GARDEN is the story of a creative partnership that has weathered the greatest storm, and a testament to the healing powers of the soil. In his weekly column for the Observer, Monty Don has always been candid about the garden's role in helping him to pull back from the abyss of depression; THE JEWEL GARDEN elaborates on this much further. Written in an optimistic, autobiographical vein, Monty and Sarah's story is truly an exploration of what it means to be a gardener.

This critically acclaimed and definitive permaculture design book was the inspiration that BBC2's Brigit Strawbridge (of Its Not Easy Being Green) needed to attend her first permaculture design course with Patrick Whitefield, setting her and her family off on a voyage of discovery which is helping to introduce and inspire others. Already hailed in the UK, Europe and America as definitive, and reprinted by popular demand, The Earth Care Manual offers an inspirational yet practical vision of a sustainable future invaluable to those new to the subject as well as to the experienced practitioner. The permaculture movement started in the 1970s as a sustainable alternative to modern industrial agriculture, taking its inspiration from natural ecosystems. It initially placed an emphasis on gardening, with proponents of permaculture since expanding on its principles; addressing all subjects vital to sustainability, from building and community design to food, energy, water, microclimate and shelter. All of these topics and more are addressed in The Earth Care Manual, demonstrating that permaculture is an interconnecting framework linking a diversity of green ideas.Its aims are a low input, high output efficient use of resources, and genuine sustainability. The Earth Care Manual gives a vision of a sustainable future and the practical steps we can take towards it, both large and small, urban and rural. Written by Patrick Whitefield, one of Europes foremost teachers and practitioners of temperate permaculture, it explains in depth how to apply permaculture to any situation, from the smallest of buildings or apartments, to houses, gardens, orchards, farms and woodlands.

Cancer is a leading cause of death among adults. Research has shown that the chances of developing cancer can be reduced by lifestyle changes. Increasing numbers of people are turning to the use of dietary vegetables, medicinal herbs, and plant extracts to prevent or treat cancer. Their ready availability as over the counter supplements has contributed to an explosion in the use of herbal extracts and related compounds for health enhancement. The spectacular growth of the multi-billion dollar functional food and nutraceutical business, touting health claims sometimes based upon limited research data, underscores the need for this up-to-date reference. This book brings together a leading group of experts on the different aspects of nutrient supplementation, foods, and plant extracts in cancer prevention and treatment. Their conclusions and recommendations present the most current knowledge from which to springboard future research and create a scientific database for accurate health claims.

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.

The complete home reference for everything you need to know about gardening--from soil and fertilizers to planting and landscaping--is now available in a convenient, compact size. Charmingly illustrated with 1,000 illustrations and photographs, Garden Wisdom & Know-How is packed with must-have information including techniques for maintaining a garden year-round; harvesting herbs; designing by bloom season; turning garden refuse into garden rewards; building teepees, trellises, and other plant supports; and much more. Chapters are organized into topics such as garden techniques and tricks; the flower garden; the edible garden; container gardening; garden design and landscaping; and attracting wildlife. With nearly 1,000 pages of indispensable information from the editors of Rodale Gardening Books, Garden Wisdom & Know-How is a comprehensive guide for both the novice and experienced gardener.

Orchids of South Africa is the first field guide to local orchids to be published in over 30 years, and presents the more than 450 orchid species found in the region, including Lesotho and Swaziland.

A comprehensive roundup of orchids in their natural habitat, the book features:

- multiple photos for each species

- distribution maps

- flowering time-bars

- succinct text, enabling sure identification of these fascinating plants.

An illustrated introduction discusses orchid structure, ecology and conservation status.

Informative, colourful and easy-to-use, Orchids of South Africa is the authoritative update enthusiasts have been waiting for.

Frisches Obst und Gemuse aus dem eigenen Garten Mal eben in den Garten gehen und ein paar Beeren naschen, die selbst angebauten Bohnen ernten oder Zwetschgenkuchen mit Fruchten vom eigenen Baum backen gefallt Ihnen die Vorstellung? Dieses praktische Handbuch gibt Ihnen zahlreiche Tipps und Tricks, wie Sie das ganze Jahr lang leckeres, ernte - frisches Obst und Gemuse aus dem eigenen Garten geniessen konnen: von der Wahl des Werkzeugs uber die Auswahl der Pflanzen und Tipps zum biologischen Anbau bis zur ersten Ernte. Geoff Stebbings gibt Ihnen nutzliche Ratschlage an die Hand, damit Sie sofort mit der eigenen Gartenarbeit beginnen konnen und in kurzer Zeit ein erfolgreicher Hobbygartner werden.

Do you know every gardening technique and rule of thumb off pat? Or do you occasionally straighten up from your digging to try and remember exactly what you're meant to be doing? How deep should you plant these bulbs? Was it now you were supposed to prune this rose, or in February? Can you compost this weed? Is it OK to plant out these seedlings now? It's such a pain having to go indoors, kick off your boots, shed your outdoor clothes and start looking up the answer to your question in some great gardening tome. And that's where The Gardener's Pocket Bible comes in. Now, you can stay in the garden and look up all those essential facts and figures in an instant. At your fingertips you'll have all the answers to your on-the-spot questions such as: Which plants do you need to protect from frost? When should you cut the hedge? What plants need staking, and when? How can you get rid of greenfly without using pesticides? This indispensible little guide will tell you what you need to know, when you need to know it - and will save you thumbing through gardening encyclopedias when what you actually want to do is get on with the gardening. This beautiful hardback edition has both dust-cover and gold embossing on the spine making it the perfect gift. Every Pocket Bible is lovingly crafted to give you a unique mix of useful references, handy tips and fascinating trivia that will enlighten and entertain you at every page. There is a Pocket Bible for everyone... Other titles in the series: The Outdoor Pocket Bible, The Camping Pocket Bible, The London Pocket Bible, The Camping Pocket Bible and The Railway Pocket Bible.

Did you know that plants and plant products can be used to improve people's cognitive, physical, psychological, and social functioning? Well, they can, and Horticulture as Therapy is the book to show you how If you are already familiar with the healing potential of horticultural therapy, or even practice horticultural therapy, this book will help you enrich your knowledge and skills and revitalize your practice. You will learn how horticultural therapy can be used with different populations in a variety of settings, what resources are available, effective treatment strategies, and the concepts behind horticultural treatment.The first comprehensive text on the practice of horticulture as therapy, this one-of-a-kind book will enable the profession to educate future horticultural therapists with fundamental knowledge and skills as they embark on careers as practitioners, researchers, and educators. You come to understand the relationship between people and plants more deeply as you learn about: vocational, social, and therapeutic programs in horticulture special populations including children, older adults, those who exhibit criminal behavior, and those with developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health disorders, or traumatic brain injury use of horticultural therapy in botanical gardening and community settings adaptive gardening techniques applied research documentation and assessment in horticultural practiceHorticulture as Therapy establishes, integrates, and communicates a foundation of knowledge for horticultural therapists, other therapists, horticulturists, students, research scientists, gardeners, and others interested in this special and unique kind of therapy. By reading Horticulture as Therapy, you will see how you can make a difference in the health and well-being of so many people, today and tomorrow.

The most comprehensive, entertaining, down-to-earth one-volume gardening reference ever, and highly praised:
"Barbara Damrosch delivers the goods."--"Chicago Tribune"
"Best of the crop."--"House Beautiful"
"Barbara Damrosch's writing has the snap of a good snowpea and the spice of an old rose."--"The Seattle Times/Post Intelligencer"
"Covers just about everything you could think of and then some." -- "The Atlanta Journal-Constitution"
"An extraordinarily comprehensive guide." -- "The San Francisco Examiner-Chronicle"
"Takes your soaring visions of garden splendor and plants them firmly in the ground."--"The Toronto Star"
Now the beloved classic is revised front-to-back. The new edition has gone 100% organic, which in Barbara Damrosch's hands also means completely accessible. It reflects the latest research on plants, soils, tools, and techniques. There is updated and expanded information on planning a garden, recommended plants, and best tools. Ecological issues are addressed much more extensively, covering lawn alternatives, the benefits of native species, wildlife-friendly gardens, and how to avoid harmful invasive species. More attention is paid to plants appropriate to the South, Southwest, and West Coast, while cold-climate gardeners are given detailed advice on how to extend the growing season. Simply put, the book is a richer and fuller compendium than ever before, with more text, more illustrations and garden plans, expanded plant lists, and gardener's resources. But Barbara Damrosch's core of practical, creative ideas and friendly style remain--she is still an "old-fashioned dirt gardener" at heart.

Cultivate your passion to grow In a 1625 essay, Francis Bacon called gardens "the purest of human pleasures," and what was true then is even more so today--gardening can give you a serene refuge from the short-lived (and noisy!) distractions of modern life and a fertile basis for satisfaction that will bear fruit long into the future. To help you get started on your own leafy paradise, the new edition of Gardening Basics For Dummies grounds you thoroughly in the fundamentals of soil, flowers, trees, and lawns--and helps you get to know the names of what you're planting along the way! In a friendly, straightforward style, professional horticulturist Steven A. Frowine distills 50 years of gardening experience to show you how to start growing your expertise--from planning out your own mini-Eden and planting your first annuals, bulbs, and perennials through to laying the perfect lawn, raising tasty crops, and even introducing fish to your landscape! He also digs into the grubbier side of horticultural life, making sure you're as prepared as any seasoned farmer to deal with pests, weeds, and other challenges the earth will throw up at you. Create your ideal garden plan Become an expert on common flora with definitions and descriptions Know how to look after your soil Get creative with butterfly and children's gardens Whether you're beginning with a tiny garden in a box, or beautifying your property with tree-lined groves and flowery bowers, this is the ideal introduction to the intense pleasure of gardening and will make you happy to reap what you've sown!

Nature on the Doorstep reveals the simple pleasures of paying attention to the natural world in one's own backyard over the course of a year. In weekly letters, Angela Douglas shares the joys and curiosities of a decidedly ordinary patch of green in upstate New York cultivated through the art of "strategic neglect"-sometimes taking a hand to manage wildlife, more often letting nature go its own way. From the first flowers of spring to cardinals singing in the winter, Douglas shows us the magic of welcoming unexpected plant and animal life into one's backyard. A paean to the richness we find when we stop to look and let be, Nature on the Doorstep celebrates the role humble backyards play both in conservation efforts and in an expanded appreciation of the living world.

Piet Oudolf is renowned for his exceptional use of perennials and grasses. His deep knowledge of plants and skill in choosing and grouping them is brilliantly displayed at Hauser & Wirth Somerset in an immersive, botanically rich garden which enthralls visitors in every season. The garden piqued the interest of plantsman and garden designer Rory Dusoir who undertook regular visits over the course of a year. In this book he describes the beautiful, dependable plants used to striking effect, scrutinizes the classic Oudolf planting techniques and marvels at the sporobolus meadow which Piet has described as "wilder than wildness itself". Oudolf fans will delight in this book which gives full access to the plant lists, planting combinations and horticultural know-how. More than 300 exceptional quality photographs capture the very special quality of the gardens and, combined with the text, offer a unique insight into planting the Oudolf way.