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Books > Health, Home & Family > Gardening > Specialized gardening methods
Creative gardening with indigenous plants, now in its second
edition, is an invaluable handbook for South African gardeners. In
this comprehensive guide the authors set out to popularise the use
of indigenous South African plants in gardens, parks, on roadsides
and anywhere where previously exotic plants were preferred. This
book covers more than 300 plants, all illustrated by stunning
photographs in full colour showing the whole plant as well as
selected features such as flowers, fruit, leaves and bark. The text
comprises a description of each plant, its usages - including
medicinal uses and snippets of folklore - and advice on
cultivation. Introductory chapters cover topics such as propagating
plants from seeds and cuttings, gardening in the different climate
regions, and using indigenous plants to attract birds and insects
to the garden. Taking a very practical approach, using symbols,
distribution maps, plant size and flower colour, the authors lead
the reader to the correct plant to choose for the application,
whether this be tree, shrub, annual, perennial, climber or
water-loving plant. This all-inclusive book is a must for
gardeners, horticulturists, landscape designers and anyone involved
in the South African nursery industry.
As the earth's neighbour, the moon affects not only ocean tides but
also the growth and development of plants. In this finely
illustrated, full-colour book - packed with practical tips for the
novice as well as the advanced gardener - Peter Berg offers a clear
summary of the basics of lunar and biodynamic gardening, together
with in-depth sections on: activating and enlivening the soil;
biodynamic preparations; making good compost; crop rotation and
green manuring; cultivation work and care of the garden; practical
plant protection; rich harvesting; saving your own seed. Building
on the the intensive research of his mentor Maria Thun and the
teachings of Rudolf Steiner, Berg explains how the subtle
influences from the cosmos work on the plant world, distinguishing
between 'root', 'leaf', 'blossom' and 'fruit' days in the working
calendar. An understanding of such natural processes, in
conjunction with the practical knowledge described in this book,
can lead to productive, chemical-free gardening, with healthy
plants and abundant harvests.
Everything you need to know about bonsai care, maintenance, design,
and arrangement. With clear explanations of bonsai and what it is,
these 101 easy-to-grasp tips have everything you need to get the
results you want. Build knowledge and confidence with this
must-have pocket guide, filled with the essentials you're looking
for including pointers and advice on cultivating bonsai plants.
Create a sense of balance and serenity in your home with these
beautiful miniature trees and bring the ancient practice into the
21st century. Using a step-by-step approach, 101 Essential Tips:
Bonsai explains design and style principles, which containers to
use, how to cultivate a bonsai plant and more. Learn about the
different suitable species, from Japanese red maple to Scots pine,
find out how to prune, reshape with wiring, implement Saikei and
rock planting, and develop a watering routine to keep your living
art healthy. Whether you want to build on your basic skills or
become an expert, 101 Essential Tips: Bonsai is right for you. This
pocket guide is chock-full of information to guide you, inspire
you, and give you the knowledge and confidence you're looking for.
Homeowners looking to revitalize their yards will absolutely love
the more than 350 innovative design suggestions presented in New
Landscaping Ideas that Work. In it, practical design advice is
paired with the author's 30+ years of expertise to create a
complete do-it-yourself guide and primer for homeowners looking to
transform all aspects of their yard into inviting outdoor spaces.
design strategies for combining elements and creating spaces that
work for them and their home tips for working effectively with
landscaping professionals innovative ideas for transforming all
aspects of their yard into inviting outdoor spaces strategies for
designing more sustainable landscapes and gardens Practical design
advice as well as over 350 innovative ideas combine to give
homeowners the only sourcebook they'll need to make smart design,
buying, and installation decisions.
One tree, in one garden. Can it really make a difference? In RHS
The Tree in My Garden, award-winning wildlife author Kate Bradbury
reveals the amazing effect planting a single tree in your garden
can have - and dares to imagine what would happen if every gardener
up and down the country did the same. Combining practical gardening
advice, eye-opening scientific research, reflections on the
cultural importance of different species, and evocative accounts of
how vital trees are for countless different forms of wildlife, this
book will leave you in no doubt that every garden needs a tree!
This terrific tree book features a directory of 50 key species,
each one beautifully illustrated by Lucille Clerc and packed with
information about each tree's appearance, care needs, and the
wildlife it supports - to help you choose the best tree for your
own garden, or learn more about the trees you may already have.
Dive into the pages of this tree identification book to discover: -
50 illustrated profiles of a wide range of trees suitable for
different gardens and preferences - Eye-opening accounts of the
importance of trees for our planet, our wildlife, and ourselves -
Essential practical information to help readers choose, plant,
prune, and care for their tree - Ideas for making your own leaf
mould and ways to get involved in community planting projects -
Stunning illustrations by Lucille Clerc that convey the beauty and
the mystery of trees This book is perfect for anyone wanting to
attract more wildlife to their garden! So whether you're an
environmentalist intent on reducing your carbon footprint, a
budding gardener looking to choose the best tree for your outdoor
space or you're simply seeking a guide about the natural history of
the trees in your garden, RHS The Tree In My Garden is something
the whole family can explore, discover and love. No garden should
be without a tree. Plant one, watch it grow - and become part of
something bigger!
2020 independent Press Award Winner--Green Book Category Rainwater
Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Volume 2 is a how-to guide
enabling you to "plant the rain" by creating water-harvesting
"earthworks" or "rain gardens." Earthworks are simple, inexpensive
strategies and landforms that passively harvest multiple sources of
free on-site water including rainfall, stormwater runoff, air
conditioning condensate, and greywater within "living tanks" of
soil and vegetation. The plants then pump the water back out in the
form of beauty, food, shelter, wildlife habitat, timber and forage,
while controlling erosion, reducing down-stream flooding, dropping
utility costs, increasing soil fertility, and improving water and
air quality. This revised and expanded full-color second edition
builds on the information in Volume 1 by showing you how to turn
your yard, school, business, park, and neighborhood into lively,
regenerative producers of resources. Conditions at home will
improve as you simultaneously enrich the ecosystem and inspire the
surrounding community. Learn to select, place, size, construct, and
plant your chosen earthworks. All is made easier and more effective
by the illustrations of natural patterns of water and sediment flow
with which you can collaborate or mimic. Detailed step-by-step
instructions with over 550 images show you how to do it, and
plentiful stories of success motivate you so you will do it!
The Gardener's Guide to Succulents is a stunning visual reference
identifying over 125 plants from 40 different genera of succulents
and cacti. Fleshy, spiny, hairy, flowering--and coming in every
imaginable shape, color and size--this plant family has captured
the affection of plant enthusiasts all over the world. This book
provides a beautiful overview of the diversity that succulents have
to offer, presenting a wide variety of popular plants to help you
create striking, aesthetically pleasing compositions. This
succulent guide includes information about: What each variety needs
and where it thrives Plant characteristics, with ratings on ease of
growth and maintenance requirements Ideas for group plantings and
illustrated tips on indoor planting Striking identification photos,
rich in color and contrast This succulent encyclopedia is a useful
resource for everyone--from cacti beginners looking to decorate
their living space to serious gardeners hoping to expand their
succulent plantings.
Bonsai are ornate, exquisitely formed trees; they are not merely
plants, but elaborate works of art. In this practical and
handy-sized guide, the intricate process of bonsai is demystified
and made accessible to everyone. The book is packed with projects
on how to grow and care for these miniature trees. Practical advice
on how to start a bonsai from seed or from cuttings is given, as
well as detailed steps on how to prune and shape different tree
types. Guidance is offered on how to care for your trees through
the seasons, and what tools and materials to work with. There are
also useful tips on what pots and containers should be used to
create the best effects. With its accessible step-by-step format,
this book provides all the information gardeners will need to
master this intriguing, stimulating and spiritually creative art.
The first edition of Gaia's Garden sparked the imagination of
America's home gardeners, introducing permaculture's central
message: Working with Nature, not against her, results in more
beautiful, abundant, and forgiving gardens. This extensively
revised and expanded second edition broadens the reach and depth of
the permaculture approach for urban and suburban growers.
Many people mistakenly think that ecological gardening--which
involves growing a wide range of edible and other useful
plants--can take place only on a large, multiacre scale. As
Hemenway demonstrates, it's fun and easy to create a "backyard
ecosystem" by assembling communities of plants that can work
cooperatively and perform a variety of functions, including:
Building and maintaining soil fertility and structure
Catching and conserving water in the landscape
Providing habitat for beneficial insects, birds, and animals
Growing an edible "forest" that yields seasonal fruits, nuts,
and other foods
This revised and updated edition also features a new chapter on
urban permaculture, designed especially for people in cities and
suburbs who have very limited growing space. Whatever size yard or
garden you have to work with, you can apply basic permaculture
principles to make it more diverse, more natural, more productive,
and more beautiful. Best of all, once it's established, an
ecological garden will reduce or eliminate most of the backbreaking
work that's needed to maintain the typical lawn and garden.
The right kind of stone and how you incorporate it in your
landscape and garden can make all the difference. Stone, a broad
term that includes pavers, fieldstones, bricks, rocks and boulders,
and stone veneer, can be used to create a distinct yet practical
component to any yard. And with the variety of natural and
manufactured stone products widely available today, incorporating
stone in the landscape is no longer out of reach.
"Stonescaping Idea Book" showcases a wide range of inspiring and
practical ideas for using stone in all types of landscape settings
and for all budgets and regions of the country. Along with
tried-and-true designs for inviting walkways and beautiful walls,
new ways of using stone in gardens and patio spaces are also
presented. You'll discover ideas for creating graceful streams,
waterfalls, or even simple fountains that will help transform your
backyard into a private retreat. And you'll find a wide range of
outdoor living spaces that family and friends can enjoy for years
to come. As the examples in the book demonstrate, there is a world
of stone to explore; this book will help get you started on the
right path.
Topics covered include:
Patios & Terraces
Paths, Walks & Steps
Walls
Pools & Ponds
Seating & Sculpture
The follow up to the Sunday Times bestselling Clean and Green and
Green Living Made Easy, former Great British Bake Off winner Nancy
Birtwhistle's third book is a guide to gardening and growing at
home, all with a sustainable, eco-friendly outlook and suffused
with the author's customary passion, knowledge, and warmth. Whether
you have a sprawling garden, a modest patch of grass or just a
spare windowsill, The Green Gardening Handbook will help you make
the most of your space, and what it can grow. The book is split
into the four seasons and provides information on everything from
when to plant potatoes, what sort of fertiliser to use and the
plethora of foods that can be grown from tiny pots in your kitchen.
It features seasonal recipes and guides to storing and preserving,
tips for getting kids involved and excited about where food comes
from and provides a blueprint for embracing the joy of growing and
eating from your own garden - and reducing your carbon footprint in
the process. Packed with advice on composting, clothing and basic
equipment, and demonstrating the mental and physical benefits of
gardening, The Green Gardening Handbook is underlined by Nancy's
belief that once we understand the seasons we can live a healthier
lifestyle that in turn will ensure our planet stays healthy too.
Grow up! If you have limited outdoor space and would like to grow
your food, this practical illustrated guide will help you transform
previously plant-free zones into thriving, beneficial and utterly
beautiful food-growing areas. Using special containers, either
bought or home-made, as well as conventional methods such as
containers on a roof or growing plants up walls, you can grow a
wide range of edible crops - and grab a salad for lunch without
getting your feet wet. This book includes: * Creating edible roof
gardens * Planning and growing crops on green roofs, including on
sheds * Using a wide variety of containers, e.g. ladder allotments
and growing frames, with details of how to make them * Making the
most of wall boxes and hanging baskets * A directory of plants
suitable for vertical growing - fruit, flowers and herbs as well as
vegetables - with advice on how to cultivate them. Whether you have
an apartment with just a wall, windowsill, balcony or small flat
roof; a school with nothing but a tarmac playground; or just a
paved courtyard in your community centre, this book will get you
started on a new way of growing.
This lavishly illustrated book celebrates water gardening in all
its forms. How to create a wealth of water features, with advice on
incorporating them stylishly into the garden. Over 300 glorious
photographs show ideas, examples and how to achieve the practical
results you want.
*** 'So you know you want to start gardening but you have no idea
where to begin? ... Simon Akeroyd gives step-by-step guidance on
everything from creating a cactus collection to growing fruit in
hanging baskets. The book turns what is often a daunting task into
bite-size steps that can often be done in an afternoon.' George
Hudson, Evening Standard, favourite garden publications of the year
Aimed at first-time gardeners, those in rented accommodation or
anyone with limited outdoor space, this book teaches how to take
stock of an environment and start a garden. With ideas for gardens,
patio spaces, courtyards, balconies and interiors, these 50
easy-to-adopt ideas provide the steps to success for even the most
inexperienced gardeners. Contents include: - Create a floral
display with bulbs that last all year - Grow pet-friendly plants -
Create a vegetable harvest in pots - Add height in flat spaces -
Make a mow-free lawn - Hang plants around your home
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