It was at one time the preserve of only a few; now, the potager, or decorative kitchen garden, tradition that originated in France over a thousand years ago has become working practice for gardeners all over the world. This captivating book demonstrates that gardens based on these design and planting techniques boast arrangements of flowers, fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are among the finest ever created.This volume conveys the enduring appeal of these historically based gardens and describes how the integration of structured design with carefully balanced, color, texture and pattern can ... View More...
Perennial gardening can be easy, fun and rewarding, especially when you have this beautifully illustrated guide at your fingertips. With detailed accounts of 92 different perennials, along with information on 569 recommended varieties and cultivars perfect for Illinois gardens, this book takes the guesswork out of perennial gardening. The authors share their commonsense and practical advice to help you transform any patch of ground into a spectacular garden you can enjoy year after year: * Flower and foliage colors * Height and spread ranges * Blooming periods * How and when to start your plan... View More...
Bill Alexander had no idea that his simple dream of having a vegetable garden and small orchard in his backyard would lead him into life-and-death battles with groundhogs, webworms, weeds, and weather; midnight expeditions in the dead of winter to dig up fresh thyme; and skirmishes with neighbors who feed the vermin (i.e., deer). Not to mention the vacations that had to be planned around the harvest, the near electrocution of the tree man, the limitations of his own middle-aged body, and the pity of his wife and kids. When Alexander runs (just for fun ) a costbenefit analysis, adding up everyt... View More...
A renowned garden writer and television personality showcases thirteen of the most stunning private interior landscapes in the country, from a gorgeous desert collection in Scottsdale, Arizona, to a terrarium-filled New York City loft, focusing on the design, history, and family use of each site and View More...
The popularity of native North American plants has soared in recent years, for many good reasons. Whatever draws you to native plants, you'll find no better or more authoritative guide than Allan Armitage. Widely acknowledged as one of the world's foremost horticulturists, Armitage describes more than 630 species and cultivars of perennials, biennials, and annuals that are native to the United States, bringing to each plant a wealth of practical knowledge and the full weight of his experience and expertise. Each entry includes a general description of the plant plus essential data you need to ... View More...
Expert advice, practical shortcuts, inspiration and time-tested tips for house plant lovers everywhere -- Even the recipe for Grandma Putts' Homemade Plant Food Jerry Baker has included everything the house planter needs to know including fool-proof tips on growing seeds and young plantings, 14 drinks plants prefer to tap water, the perfect light to grow by, savvy advice on container, herb, and organic gardening, and sure-fire cures for bugs and blotches. View More...
One of the bestselling garden books ever is fresher than ever Ready to inspire a whole new generation of gardeners. When he created the square foot gardening method, Mel Bartholomew, a retired engineer and efficiency expert, found the solution to the frustrations of most gardeners. His revolutionary system is simple: it's an ingenious planting method based on using square foot blocks of garden space instead of rows. Gardeners build up, not down, so there's no digging and no tilling after the first year. And the method requires less thinning, less weeding, and less watering. I found a better w... View More...
Give your yard an elegant sense of permanence with stylish and functional stonework. Presenting a variety of stonecutting and priming techniques, this guide offers step-by-step instructions for 16 original stonework projects, including flagstone steps, retaining walls, and a garden table. Complete supply lists, safety tips, and clear construction diagrams for each project are accompanied by photographs of the finished product. You'll be amazed at how the durable beauty of stonework can enhance your outdoor landscape. View More...
Perennial combinations are the building blocks of beautiful, successful gardens. Choosing perennials that look great and grow well together is a skill that can take years to develop, but with this book, you're guaranteed to make perfect plant choices right from the start. In Perennial Combinations, expert plantsman, C. Colston Burrell hand-selects 120 of the best perennial combinations for homeowners, then offers his expert advice on how to grow and use the combinations to create great gardens.Each combination is featured in a stunning color photograph accompanied by a numbered photo key and p... View More...
Turn your backyard garden into a lush and colorful wonderland where every plant is presented to its fullest potential. Scott Calhoun provides more than 100 stunning garden designs that are adaptable to a range of climates, budgets, and space considerations. As you learn to use proven groupings and discover ways to make your garden glow throughout all seasons, you're sure to find the right combination of flowers, grasses, and ground coverings to transform your property into a jaw-dropping display of color, texture, and fragrance.
Get ready to journey into the huge world of growing small The next garden trend combines the joy of gardening with the magic of miniatures. Gardening in Miniature is a complete guide to creating lush, living, small-scale gardens. It has everything you need to pick up this new hobby, including scaled down garden designs, techniques for creating tiny hardscapes, miniature garden care and maintenance, tips on choosing containers, how to buy the right plants, and where to find life-like accessories. Inspiring step-by-step projects feature basic skills that can be recreated in any number of designs... View More...
The "how-to" guide for a new generation of farmers from the author of Farm City and a leading urban garden educator. In this indispensable guide, Farm City author Novella Carpenter and Willow Rosenthal share their experience as successful urban farmers and provide practical blueprints-complete with rich visual material-for novice and experienced growers looking to bring the principles of ethical food to the city streets. The Essential Urban Farmer guides readers from day one to market day, advising on how to find the perfect site, design a landscape, and cultivate crops. For anyone who has eve... View More...
