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Books > Gardening > Specialized gardening methods
Hydroponics offers many advantages to traditional soil-based
horticulture. These include greater control over many of the
limiting factors, such as light, temperature, and pests, as well as
the ability to grow plants in all seasons. With instruction from
one of the top recognized authorities worldwide, Hydroponics for
the Home Grower gives you step-by-step guidance on how to grow
tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, lettuce, arugula, bok choy,
and various herbs year-round within your home or in a backyard
greenhouse. Read an Interview with Dr. Resh here With Dr. Howard
Resh's help, you'll learn: Background information on how
hydroponics evolved The nutritional and environmental demands of
plants and how to control these factors How to provide formulations
of nutrients optimal to the plants you wish to grow The many
different hydroponic systems you can purchase or build for yourself
Designs for different types of greenhouses with components to fit
your personal taste and budget Crop selection and step-by-step
procedures, including seeding, transplanting, training, pest and
disease control, and harvesting-along with when to plant and when
to change crops How you can grow microgreens on your kitchen
counter The book includes an appendix with sources of seeds and
other supplies, along with helpful websites and lists of books,
articles, and conferences on growing hydroponically and caring for
your crops. By following the guidelines in this book, you'll
understand everything you need to know to get your home-growing
operation up and running in no time.
Advice involves immediate 'rapid-response' actions to initiate
containment along with preventative strategies, measures for
control and monitoring requirements post-control. The manual
responds to the GB Non-Native Species Strategy and deals with over
40 species which have been selected from plants listed in Schedule
9 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) for the
UK; invasive alien species of EU concern (as per EU IAS Regulation
1143/2014); and other noteworthy species of the urban environment,
for example butterfly-bush (buddleia). Each species account
includes: a brief description on ecology and identification with
corresponding photographs; a distribution map for the British and
Irish Isles; immediate actions that can be taken once identified;
pathways of spread; lifespan; seed-production age; seed longevity;
growth rate; a 'schematic' of the life-cycle aimed at assisting the
determination of schedules for survey and treatment; prevention and
rapid-response measures; tables of control, management and
herbicide treatment linked to decision-making flow diagrams;
waste-disposal requirements; revegetation post-management; and
continued monitoring. Key references to published data and links to
appropriate websites are also included.
Revitalise your recipes with the joys and satisfaction of foraged
ingredients from your garden and beyond. In high-end restaurants
and in the home, more and more cooks have unearthed the pleasures
of using natural, foraged ingredients. But, what few realise is
that you don't necessarily have to go rootling in hedgerows or
woodlands to find them. Many of our own gardens contain an
abundance of edible and medicinal plants, grown mainly for their
ornamental appearance. Most gardeners are completely unaware that
what they have actually planted is a rather exotic kitchen garden.
The Garden Forager explores over 40 of the most popular garden
plants that have edible, medicinal or even cosmetic potential,
accompanied by recipes, remedies, and interesting facts, and
illustrated throughout in exquisite watercolours by Lizzie Harper.
This beautifully illustrated book redefines how we look at our
gardens and unleashes the unknown potential of everyday plants -
making it a must-have for anyone interested in gardening, cooking,
or foraging. 'jammed full of fascinating garden lore, culinary
history and clever recipes' Susan Low, Delicious
A little plant science grows a long way Plant Science for Gardeners
empowers growers to analyze common problems, find solutions, and
make better decisions in the garden for optimal plant health and
productivity. Most gardeners learn by accumulating rules - water
once a week, never dry out snowdrop bulbs, prune lilacs after
flowering, plant garlic in October-the list is endless. Rules take
years to learn and yet leave you floundering when the unexpected
strikes and plants look unhealthy, produce poorly, or die. There is
a better way. By understanding the basic biology of how plants
grow, you can become a thinking gardener with the confidence to
problem solve for optimized plant health and productivity. Learn
the science and ditch the rules! Coverage includes: The biology of
roots, stems, leaves, and flowers Understanding how plants function
as whole organisms The role of nutrients and inputs Vegetables,
flowers, grasses, and trees and shrubs Propagation and genetics
Sidebars that explode common gardening myths Tips for evaluating
plant problems and finding solutions. Whether you're a home
gardener, micro-farmer, market gardener, or homesteader, this
entertaining and accessible guide shortens the learning curve and
gives you the knowledge to succeed no matter where you live.
Plan Your Landscape or Garden to Help Beloved Backyard Visitors The
presence of birds, bees, and butterflies suggests a healthy,
earth-friendly place. These most welcome guests also bring joy to
those who appreciate watching them. Now, you can turn your yard
into a perfect habitat that attracts them and, more importantly,
helps them thrive. Acclaimed author and expert entomologist Jaret
C. Daniels provides all the information you need in this must-have
guide for northern Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Learn how
to landscape and create pollinator gardens with native plants. The
book begins with an in-depth introduction to native pollinators and
to birds. It's followed by a "field guide" section to more than 100
native plants that are widely available to utilize, are easy to
care for, and provide great benefit to birds, bees, and
butterflies. The species are organized by level of sunlight needed
and then by plant types. Each species includes full-color
photographs and information about hardiness zones, what they are
most likely to attract, soil requirements, light levels, and
Jaret's notes. As an added bonus, you'll make use of blooming
charts, tips on attracting specific species, and more! Plus, the
invaluable garden plans and projects show you just what to do and
can be customized to suit your own specific interests. Plan, plant,
and grow your beautiful garden, with native plants that benefit
your favorite creatures to watch and enjoy.
Inspired by the idea of doing something positive for their local
environment, Yvette Verner and her husband Mike bought a small
field close to their home in the south of England. With the
bountiful assistance of nature they created a flower meadow which
attracts a rich variety of wildlife, including badgers, deer and a
multitude of birds and butterflies. In this book Yvette tells the
story of their meadow: how they designed the layout, selected and
planted wild flowers, trees and hedges and spent many absorbing
hours wildlife-watching. Meadows such as theirs support large
populations of plants, insects, birds and other animals, and are
extremely important in maintaining the ecological diversity of our
countryside. Many meadow species that farmers and gardeners
consider to be weeds are host to other forms of wildlife: the
modest oxeye daisy alone supports over twenty species of insect!
"The meadow is still flourishing and each year is delightful and
different. It is particularly wonderful to see our four
grandchildren enjoying it so much." - Mike Verner, Yvette's husband
Do you wish to creatively engage with the wickedly complex problems
of today, while not adding to the mess? Do you want to consciously
act with clarity and grace whilst living on a thriving planet? Do
you want a fair society, where people care for each other, their
children and grandchildren?Stefan Geyer shows how permaculture,
infused by insights from the Zen tradition, can be a modern method
of liberation from our society's present woes. Permaculture is a
new regenerative culture, and permaculture design is the method to
get there. It offers emancipation and emboldens us to think in
joyfully expansive, daringly experimental and creatively caring new
ways. Zen in the Art of Permaculture is full of inspiration that
you can carry with you anywhere. Each page explores a permaculture
idea or theme. These are not the last word on the subject but
catalysts for new thought. They articulate a process of awakening
that can help us become intimately aware of how nature works. As we
become more sensitive to our place within the natural world, we see
our own nature within it.
John Harris, head gardener at Tresillian Estate in Cornwall,
imparts his abundance of horticulture knowledge, specifically
focusing on how to garden using the moon's cycles. Humans and the
world around us have been governed by the waxing and waning of the
moon since the planet came into being. Over the centuries different
civilizations have embraced these natural cycles, and so lunar
gardening has been around for as long as man has pulled food from
the soil; once practiced by the Incas and Native Americans, this
tried and trusted method has been largely forgotten. John Harris,
head gardener at Tresillian Estate in Cornwall, has been using Moon
Gardening for over forty years. The methods he uses can be
implemented anywhere. You do not need fancy tools, expensive seeds,
or substantial acreage; instead, you simply need time, patience,
and care to create breath-taking results. This is gardening at its
most natural and organic. The Natural Gardener charts John's story
from a rudderless young lad in a Cornish village to being charged
with the salvation of the long-neglected gardens at Tresillian. As
he shares how to follow the simple principles of moon gardening, he
imparts his abundance of horticultural knowledge from years spent
working in harmony with the soil, providing a timely link back to
nature and the reassuring regularity of the seasons.
Richmond Park is the largest Royal Park in London, covering an area
of 2,500 acres. From its heights there is an uninterrupted view of
St Paul's Cathedral, 12 miles away. The royal connections to this
park probably go back further than any of the others, beginning
with Edward I in the thirteenth century, when the area was known as
the Manor of Sheen. The name was changed to Richmond during Henry
VII's reign. In 1625 Charles I brought his court to Richmond Palace
to escape the plague in London and turned it into a park for red
and fallow deer. His decision, in 1637, to enclose the land was not
popular with the local residents, but he did allow pedestrians the
right of way. To this day the walls remain. In 1847 Pembroke Lodge
became the home of the then Prime Minister, Lord John Russell, and
was later the childhood home of his grandson, Bertrand Russell.
However, Richmond Park emerges from its historical record as a
place that has seen many changes in fabric and detail and yet
remains the embodiment of a medieval deer park. It is a palimpsest,
retaining subtle clues to each period in its history.
A practical, accessible, and lushly photographed guide to making
your garden a place of beauty and inspiration during the winter
months as well as throughout the year. Why put all of our gardening
effort into planting only for the magnificent but short months of
summer? The dramatic stillness of the garden in winter provides its
own opportunities to deepen our connection with nature. In
Winterland, accomplished landscape designer Cathy Rees guides
readers through the basics of creating rich and compelling
all-season environments-exploring shape, scale, texture, layering,
contrast, plant choices, lighting, garden structures and
sculptures, and more. Design strategies are reinforced by practical
advice on garden care, pruning, maintenance, and coexisting with
animals and birds. Winterland gives beginning and experienced
gardeners alike the tools to develop outdoor havens that will
evolve over seasons and years to become true garden sanctuaries.
For decades fruit growers have sprayed their trees with toxic
chemicals in an attempt to control a range of insect and fungal
pests. Yet it is possible to grow apples responsibly, by applying
the intuitive knowledge of our great-grandparents with the fruits
of modern scientific research and innovation. Since The Apple
Grower first appeared in 1998, orchardist Michael Phillips has
continued his research with apples, which have been called
"organic's final frontier." In this new edition of his widely
acclaimed work, Phillips delves even deeper into the mysteries of
growing good fruit with minimal inputs. Some of the cuttingedge
topics he explores include: The use of kaolin clay as an effective
strategy against curculio and borers, as well as its limitations
Creating a diverse, healthy orchard ecosystem through understory
management of plants, nutrients, and beneficial microorganisms How
to make a small apple business viable by focusing on heritage and
regional varieties, value-added products, and the "community
orchard" model The author's personal voice and clear-eyed advice
have already made The Apple Grower a classic among small-scale
growers and home orchardists. In fact, anyone serious about
succeeding with apples needs to have this updated edition on their
bookshelf.
Create your own small garden with expert gardener Joe Swift. Green
spaces are the perfect antidote to fast city living. Learn how to
create your own small garden with expert gardener Joe Swift's
practical, easy-to-follow advice. From courtyards to rooftops,
transform awkward and unexciting spaces with inspirational ideas
and solutions. Whatever you want your green space to look like and
be used for, Joe's no-nonsense approach guides you through issues
such as privacy, boundaries and shade, to growing plants in areas
with little to no soil. The wider environmental benefits are
significant - helping to reduce pollution and minimise the heat
island effect (a result of the hardscape in towns and cities). The
plants will increase biodiversity, and many will be an important
year-round resource for wildlife. In this book, Joe covers a vast
range of exciting, impactful and innovative ways to stamp your
personality on your outdoor space. He demonstrates how to use
paving, boundaries, containers, furniture, water and sculpture to
help structure and define, and how to give the starring role to the
plants you choose to draw the seasons into our towns and cities.
Joe Swift is an author, TV presenter and garden designer. He makes
regular appearances on BBC's Gardener's World and the RHS Flower
Shows
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