Originally published in 1936, this book is a detailed guide to the cultivation of the mushroom. Full of detailed information and instruction on growing and harvesting, this book is still of great practical use to today's grower. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Hesperides Press are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. Contents Include : Introduction - The Nature of the Mushroom - Site and Soil - Buildings - Manures - Spawns - Making up Beds - Care of Beds - Diseases and Pests and Their Control - Picking and Packing - Exhibiting - Some Companion Crops - Marketing and Costings - Cooking Recipes

Originally published in 1881, this is a'Practical treatise on the cultivation of the most profitable outdoor crop known'. Wonderfully detailed, it presents a complete system for the growing, cutivating and harvesting of all types of mushrooms.

The Elves of Lily Hill Farm is the true story of Penny Kelly's meeting with a group of elves and the deal she makes with them to produce one-hundred tons of grapes from a mere thirteen acres of vineyards--without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. As a result of their deal, Penny inadvertently enters the private world of plants, insects, animals, devas, and nature spirits where communication among them is common but the rules are all different. As the elves teach her a series of intense and powerful lessons, an amazing drama emerges between people and nature, both struggling to survive in a world where communication between them has been lost.

At long last, you can grow your tomatoes and eat them too with the help of this primer on gardening with fewer chemicals. Gardeners and homeowners alike need simple and safe ways to stop unwanted pests and plant diseases while allowing nature to flourish. A companion to the highly successful DEAD SNAILS LEAVE NO TRAILS, DEAD DAISIES picks up where the first book left off, offering a wide range of new tips and techniques for effective organic gardening, as well as advice on how to attract beneficial wildlife to your natural space.

Fertilize your garden naturally--a guide to growing your plants in healthy, happy soil People want to know where their food comes from, who grows it and how it is grown. Interest in permaculture, backyard composting, and gardening in general, is growing. So how does the budding gardener ensure that his soil is healthy and nutrient-rich enough to support all the produce he intends to grow? Here's a hint--think worms! Vermiculture is the healthiest and most cost-effective way to ensure that your soil receives the nourishment that it needs. A simple vermicompost bin can produce the completely natural , nutrient-rich fertilizer that can be used to boost soil health and, in turn, increase your crop yield. In true Crystal Stevens' fashion, Worms at Work is a practical, easy-to-implement guide to fertilizing your garden naturally. It discusses the vital role worms play in boosting soil health, and the reasons why every gardener should use vermicompost in order to decrease reliance on toxic synthetic fertilizers. Coverage includes: Simple designs to build your own vermicompost bin Caring for your worms Garden applications for your worm castings Lesson plans to incorporate vermicomposting into the school science curriculum Whether you're tending to a small backyard garden or managing a large farm, Worms at Work can show you how to start vermicomposting today in order to grow healthy plants in healthy, happy soil. Crystal Stevens is the author of Grow Create Inspire and has been co-manager of La Vista CSA Farm for the past 7 years. She teaches regular Vermiculture 101 workshops.

In the modern suburban landscape, beautiful, green lawns are perhaps the most ubiquitous feature of all. It s difficult to imagine a friendly neighborhood without broad, clean stretches of neatly shorn grass. More and more in recent years, those lawns are evolving into organic systems as homeowners concerned about the long-term effects of chemicals on their children, their pets, and the environment turn to natural methods to keep their yards healthy and inviting, and, yes, still green and lush, too.
Paul Tukey, a self-confessed mowing addict, answers the growing demand for organic grass with a comprehensive volume of natural lawncare information. Step by step, he takes readers through the many elements that work together to form a healthy, organic lawn. Well-treated soil, fed properly with compost and natural fertilizers, is the foundation of every great lawn. Plant it with a grass cultivar matched properly to the climate and sunlight, nourish the soil and grass with the proper amount of water, and maintain the height with a good mower equipped with a sharp blade. A beautiful, naturally maintained lawn can be as simple as that.
An organic, healthy lawn is the best defense against weeds and pests, but when unwanted visitors creep in, Tukey is ready with Weed and Thug ID Guides and advice on dispatching them naturally or learning to live with the benign offenders. Tukey also provides helpful advice for lawnkeepers making the transition from a synthetic to an organic lawn system. It s all here everything today s homeowner needs to keep his lawn off drugs, and make it an inviting living and play area for the whole family."

Gardener's Planner and Logbook for Every Garden"Anyone wanting to get started with a flower garden will find plenty of expert guidance here." -Publishers Weekly, praise for Growing Flowers by author Niki Irving Companion Logbook for Growing Flowers, a #1 Best Seller in Annual Flowers Gardening, Bulb Flower Gardening, and Perennial Gardening Perfectly suited to gardeners of all levels, this gorgeous gardener's planner gathers the flower gardening essentials in Niki Irving's Growing Flowers into one functional place to plan, organize and log all things gardening. A gardening logbook and tracker is just what every avid planter needs. This flower gardening planner includes places to chart the amount of sun each part of your garden receives to help you choose the ideal plants; to note the date plants are planted, the type of soil used, and the amount of water they need to flourish; and everything else you need to remember along the way. Cultivate your creativity with this helpful gardener's planner. With a variety of tracking and planning pages, you no longer have to worry about keeping all of those small, easy-to-forget flower gardening essentials and details in your head. Instead, you can take advantage of the blank space included for drawing and diagramming your ideal landscape layout-or your snug, sunny balcony. Inside Growing Flowers Gardening Logbook, you'll find helpful gardening tips and tools, such as: Instructions on how to handle and treat for garden pests A Plant-to-Harvest and Seed-to-Bloom plant tracker A Seed Starting Log for those who like to start from scratch If you're looking for a flower gardening gift for mom and dad-or if you liked The Gardener's Logbook, The Family Garden Planner, or Growing Flowers-you'll love the Growing Flowers Gardening Logbook.