Home & Garden

The use of wild plants for food and medicine is advised on by expert herbalists De La Foret and Han, offering guidance on herbal oils, salves, tea and more.

Werner's Nomenclature of Colours is a fascinating book penned by Patrick Syme. Published by The Natural History Museum in 2018, this work is a unique blend of art and science. The book delves into the intricate world of colours, exploring their nomenclature and classification in a way that is both engaging and enlightening. As a genre, it straddles the lines between non-fiction, art, and scientific literature, offering readers a multi-faceted look at the subject. Syme's vivid descriptions and insightful commentary make the book a must-read for anyone with an interest in the intersection of art and science. Published by the prestigious Natural History Museum, this book is a testament to Syme's extensive knowledge and passion for his subject. Don't miss out on this enlightening read!

At Clay Bottom Farm, author Ben Hartman and staff practice kaizen, or continuous improvement, cutting out more waste--of time, labor, space, money, and more--every year and aligning their organic production more tightly with customer demand. Applied alongside other lean principles originally developed by the Japanese auto industry, the end result has been increased profits and less work. In this field-guide companion to his award-winning first book, The Lean Farm, Hartman shows market vegetable growers in even more detail how Clay Bottom Farm implements lean thinking in every area of their work, including using kanbans, or replacement signals, to maximize land use; germination chambers to reduce defect waste; and right-sized machinery to save money and labor and increase efficiency. From finding land and assessing infrastructure needs to selling perfect produce at the farmers market, The Lean Farm Guide to Growing Vegetables digs deeper into specific, tested methods for waste-free farming that not only help farmers become more successful but make the work more enjoyable. These methods include: Using Japanese paper pot transplanters Building your own germinating chambers Leaning up your greenhouse Making and applying simple composts Using lean techniques for pest and weed control Creating Heijunka, or load-leveling calendars for efficient planning Farming is not static, and improvement requires constant change. The Lean Farm Guide to Growing Vegetables offers strategies for farmers to stay flexible and profitable even in the face of changing weather and markets. Much more than a simple exercise in cost-cutting, lean farming is about growing better, not cheaper, food--the food your customers want.

Regenerative practices for the farm, garden, orchard, forest, and landscape Mycorrhizal fungi have been waiting a long time for people to recognize just how important they are to the making of dynamic soils. These microscopic organisms partner with the root systems of approximately 95 percent of the plants on Earth, and they sequester carbon in much more meaningful ways than human "carbon offsets" will ever achieve. Pick up a handful of old-growth forest soil and you are holding 26 miles of threadlike fungal mycelia, if it could be stretched it out in a straight line. Most of these soil fungi are mycorrhizal, supporting plant health in elegant and sophisticated ways. The boost to green immune function in plants and community-wide networking turns out to be the true basis of ecosystem resiliency. A profound intelligence exists in the underground nutrient exchange between fungi and plant roots, which in turn determines the nutrient density of the foods we grow and eat. Exploring the science of symbiotic fungi in layman's terms, holistic farmer Michael Phillips (author of The Holistic Orchard and The Apple Grower) sets the stage for practical applications across the landscape. The real impetus behind no-till farming, gardening with mulches, cover cropping, digging with broadforks, shallow cultivation, forest-edge orcharding, and everything related to permaculture is to help the plants and fungi to prosper . . . which means we prosper as well. Building soil structure and fertility that lasts for ages results only once we comprehend the nondisturbance principle. As the author says, "What a grower understands, a grower will do." Mycorrhizal Planet abounds with insights into "fungal consciousness" and offers practical, regenerative techniques that are pertinent to gardeners, landscapers, orchardists, foresters, and farmers. Michael's fungal acumen will resonate with everyone who is fascinated with the unseen workings of nature and concerned about maintaining and restoring the health of our soils, our climate, and the quality of life on Earth for generations to come.

A comprehensive sourcebook of the best contemporary ideas for garden owners, architects and designers.

This book takes us on an adventure around the temperate world, introducing us to the author's top 80 perennial leafy green vegetables. In this title, we are taken underground gardening in Tokyo, beach gardening in the UK, and traditional roof gardening in the Norwegian mountains.

"A definitive twenty-first century permaculture manual for human flourishing in an age of disconnection, disease, and decline. Drawing from twenty years of experience as a land designer and site developer, in The Resilient Farm and Homestead, Revised and Expanded Edition author Ben Falk describes how he has transformed a degraded hillside in the frigid climate of Vermont into a thriving Garden of Eden that now provides year-around abundance and regeneration for his family and community. First published in 2013, The Resilient Farm and Homestead is a comprehensive how-to guide for building durable and productive land-based systems through the reciprocal interplay of humans and the natural world. In the ten years since he first published this seminal work, Falk has only deepened his wisdom in harnessing nature-based solutions for an increasingly perilous planet. Coming on the heels of the unprecedented upheaval of Covid-19, this new and expanded edition of The Resilient Farm and Homestead couldn't be more timely. More than just a collection of tricks and techniques for regenerative site development, the book covers nearly every strategy Falk and his team have tested at the Whole Systems Research Farm over the past two decades. The book includes detailed information on earthworks, gravity-fed water systems, soil fertility management, growing nutrient-dense food and medicine, fuelwood production and processing, agroforestry, managed grazing, and much more. The book presents a viable home-scale model for an intentional food-producing ecosystem in cold climates and beyond. Inspiring to would-be homesteaders everywhere, Falk is an inspiration for what can be done by working with and guiding natural systems and making the most of what we have by reimagining what's possible. Complete with full-color photography and detailed design drawings, The Resilient Farm and Homestead, Revised and Expanded Edition includes new information on: -Designing greenhouses and microclimates -Zone 4 permaculture -Reinvigorating human health -Raising children on a homestead -Top-performing plants -The power of woodchips -Efficient and resilient energy systems -Beekeeping -And much, much more!"--

With more than 1,000 images and descriptive texts, this is the ultimate celebration of the world's most gorgeous gardens - now with a stunning fuchsia pink cover

Best-selling author Niki Jabbour provides an essential, in-depth guide to creating controlled growing spaces for productive vegetable gardening, using row covers, shade cloth, low tunnels, cold frames, hoop houses, and more.

Gardens of the High Line, by Piet Oudolf and Rick Darke, offers an in-depth view into the planting designs, plant palette, and maintenance of this landmark achievement. It reveals a four-season garden that is filled with native and exotic plants, drought-tol-erant perennials, and grasses that thrive and spread.

A visual troubleshooting guide for your favourite houseplants

It was 11pm when I checked my email for the last time and turned off my phone for what I hoped would be forever.

Peonies have always been a favourite with gardeners and cut-flower fans alike, but in 2016 their popularity went beyond bridal bouquets as the blooms took over social media - their gramming power was so huge this year that by May, Elle UK had already crowned the flowers as `The New Avocado'.

A guide to planning your dream garden. It includes over 8,000 easy-to-find plants and thousands of photographs that give you the guidance you need.

This delightful pocket sized title, coming from one of the UK's foremost experts on roses, will be an indispensable guide to rose-lovers everywhere.

A story of a flower that has made men mad. This book tells how the tulip arrived from Turkey and took the whole of Western Europe by storm. Illustrated from a range of sources, it also features descriptions of eighty wild-species tulips and several hundred garden varieties.

Monty Don made a triumphant return to our screens as presenter of Gardeners' World. A firm favourite with viewers, Monty's infectious enthusiasm for plants, attention to the finer details of gardening technique and easy charm have seen the ratings soar. Here Monty invites us into the garden at Longmeadow, to show us how he created this beautiful garden, and how we can do the same in our own.Following the cycle of the seasons, Gardening at Longmeadow will introduce readers to the garden from the earliest snowdrops of January through the first splashes of colour in the Spring Garden, the electric summer displays of the Jewel Garden, the autumn harvest in the orchard, and on to a Christmas feast sourced from the vegetable gardens. Describing the magic of each area at different times of the year, Monty will explain the basics of what to do when and how to get the most from each plant. He'll talk through the essential techniques and more complex processes, accompanied by easy-to-follow, step-by-step photography.Longmeadow is a gardeners' garden, but this will be a book for gardening enthusiasts of all skill levels who have been inspired by what they've seen, and who would like to achieve something similar for themselves.

A handbook for bringing the natural world into your life

Discover stylish, creative and contemporary ways to use weeds in your garden - in window boxes, borders, walls, containers and more.

This charming, beautifully photographed beginner's guide from a trusted bonsai expert covers all the basics to keep your bonsai alive and happy.Jonas Dupuich, founder of the #1 bonsai blog in the U.S., shares his passion and expert advice with anyone looking to learn more about bonsai in this modern, entry-level guide to an ancient art.Filled with photos of stunning, inspiring trees, The Little Book of Bonsai provides simple, clear, effective guidance on bonsai care, including wiring, watering, pruning, pests, disease, tools, repotting, fertilizing, and more. Dupuich covers indoor and outdoor bonsai care, selecting the right container, displaying your bonsai, and choosing different species with clear, step-by-step photos to help you cultivate your trees with confidence.With its stylish, full-color design and fresh take on a captivating pastime, The Little Book of Bonsai makes a gorgeous gift for oneself or for others.

For years dahlias have been dismissed for being garish, gaudy additions to gardens and arrangements, but when you find the right variety it's hard to think of a better garden plant or more striking cut flower. The next title in Pavilion's series of stylish floral gardening guides celebrates the diversity and return to fashion of the dahlia.

The Girl of Ink & Stars is an enthralling novel penned by the acclaimed author, Kiran Millwood Hargrave. Published in 2016 by Chicken House Ltd, this book has captivated readers across the globe with its unique blend of adventure and mystery. The novel is a testament to Hargrave's prowess in storytelling, weaving a tale that is as enchanting as it is riveting. Set in a world of maps and myth, the story follows the journey of a brave girl who dares to tread where others don't. It's a captivating read that explores themes of bravery, friendship, and the power of stories. The Girl of Ink & Stars is a shining example of young adult fiction, a genre that Hargrave excels in. Published by Chicken House Ltd, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a thrilling literary adventure.

The 'RHS What Plant Where Encyclopedia' is an invaluable resource for any gardening enthusiast. Authored by The Royal Horticultural Society, a name synonymous with horticultural excellence, this book is more than just a guide; it's a journey into the world of gardening. Published in 2013 by Dorling Kindersley Ltd, it has since become a staple in many gardeners' libraries. The book is meticulously categorized by genre, making it easy for readers to find exactly what they're looking for. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this encyclopedia will help you choose the perfect plants for every corner of your garden. Published by Dorling Kindersley Ltd, this book is a testament to their commitment to providing high-quality, informative books.