The soil in your garden or allotment is the most precious asset you have as a gardener – healthy plants start with healthy soil. Written by two soil science specialists, this book explains the fundamentals of soil science in a horticultural context and provides practical guidance on how to optimize the soil in your garden. The main types of soil and their key characteristics are discussed, including the implications for different plants and how the soil can be improved, with an emphasis on working with nature, not against it. Techniques for assessing soil health are described in step-by-step detail, with recommendations for ways this can be enhanced. A detailed overview of the life in the soil, from bacteria to moles, shows how to harness this ecosystem and increase biodiversity. There is a chapter on container growing media tackles patio gardening and the use of raised beds. Finally, detailed examples from around the UK are provided to illustrate the scientific principles in practice.

"This book provides an informative global perspective on soilless culture systems (SCS) around the world...the book promises to bring together the current best practice in SCS horticulture to create an important industry reference for all participants." ISHS - Chronica Horticulturae Soilless cultivation techniques (including hydroponic systems) have attracted growing attention as a way of growing horticultural crops more efficiently without taking up more land. These controlled environment systems are also less vulnerable to climate change and are particularly suited to urban farming as part of the shift to more localised, circular food systems. Advances in horticultural soilless culture provides a comprehensive assessment of recent research in this important area, paying close attention to the advances in optimising substrates for soilless cultivation, as well as the developments in solid and liquid-medium container systems, fertigation systems, modelling and process control. The collection includes case studies on horticultural crops such as tomatoes, strawberries and ornamentals. With its distinguished editor and international range of expert authors, Advances in horticultural soilless culture will be a standard reference for university and other researchers involved in horticultural science, hydroponics and soilless cultivation. It will also be a valuable resource for government and other agencies supporting vertical and urban farming systems, as well as companies involved in this sector.