Two expert horticulturists show how to create container gardens of vegetables, herbs, fruits, and edible flowers. Two-color line art and halftones throughout.
With few exceptions-such as corn and pumpkins-everything edible that's grown in a traditional garden can be raised in a container. And with only one exception-watering-container gardening is a whole lot easier. Beginning with the down-to-earth basics of soil, sun and water, fertilizer, seeds and propagation, The Bountiful Container is an extraordinarily complete, plant-by-plant guide. Written by two seasoned container gardeners and writers, The Bountiful Container covers Vegetables-not just tomatoes (17 varieties) and peppers (19 varieties), butharicots verts, fava beans, Thumbelina carrots, Chioggia beets, and sugarsnap peas. Herbs, from basil to thyme, and including bay leaves, fennel, and saffron crocus. Edible Flowers, such as begonias, calendula, pansies, violets, and roses. And perhaps most surprising, Fruits, including apples, peaches, Meyer lemons, blueberries, currants, and figs-yes, even in the colder parts of the country. (Another benefit of container gardening: You can bring the less hardy perennials in over the winter.) There are theme gardens (an Italian cook's garden, a Four Seasons garden), lists of sources, and dozens of sidebars on everything from how to be a human honeybee to seeds that are All America Selections.
Learn to: Choose, plant, and care for flowers, fruits, trees, and shrubs Grow vegetables and herbs just steps away from your kitchen Cultivate charming gardens in any climate Prevent insects and diseases from invading containers the eco-friendly way The easy way to get a green thumb in container gardening! Want to spruce up your indoor or outdoor space with annuals, perennials, vegetables, and succulents? This updated edition of Container Gardening For Dummies gives you clear, concise step-by-step instructions for cultivating delightful gardens in everything from a redwood window box to a hanging basket to an old watering can. It also includes color photos to inspire your designs. Getting the dirt on container gardening discover the advantages of growing plants in containers and learn how to maximize your garden conditions to help plants thrive Picking a pot to plant in take a look around your living space and determine the best location and type of container for your garden Enjoying a summer fling get the lowdown on the best single-season flowers, vegetables, and bulbs for container growing Putting down roots find out which perennials, trees, shrubs, fruits, and berries give year-round impact Designing and decorating take advantage of ideas and inspiration for creating eye-catching container gardening displays Open the book and find: Things you need to know before planting A quick primer on climate What to look for in a soil mix How to work with perennials and annuals Information you need to help you choose plants Why and when containers need water and fertilizer Guidance on replanting, repotting, and pruning Tips for preventing insect pests and diseases Ways to liven up your space with trees, shrubs, and vines
Anyone, anywhere can grow fresh, healthy produce, foster biodiversity, and reconnect with nature by using the permaculture approach—no matter your space or experience. Permaculture—rooted in centuries-old techniques for growing food with care for the Earth—is the key to producing a bigger harvest than you ever thought possible on your balcony, patio, driveway, deck, and anywhere in between! With sustainability as her guiding principle, Valéry Tsimba enthusiastically instructs home gardeners of all skill levels and backgrounds in her proven container gardening methods, from start to finish. Use the principles of permaculture to increase your garden’s productivity, biodiversity, and beauty by starting small and going slow. Get set up: Pick the best planters and tools for your space and learn how to adapt to natural conditions like wind and sun exposure. Increase your harvest naturally with companion planting, small-space composting, chemical-free fertilizers, and staggered harvests. Learn which plants are best suited to container gardens, from leafy greens and pollinator-friendly flowers to strawberries and even melons! Containers make gardening more accessible for everyone. Whether you live in an apartment, have a disability or chronic illness, have never gardened before, or are an experienced gardener new to permaculture, Container Gardening—The Permaculture Way brings sustainable gardening within reach.
A Garden for Your Space & Your Style You can grow delicious, healthy vegetables and beautiful flowers in your urban setting. No yard? No problem, you have more options available than you think—from containers and window boxes to raised beds and community plots. No time? No worries, there are plants and containers that accommodate even the busiest schedule. Inside you'll find: • Ideas for growing plants in any available space—no matter how small or soil deficient • Step-by-step instructions on growing plants from seed • Suggestions for plants and containers that fit various styles and schedules, including: no-fuss hardy producers; stunning plantscapes; and plants that attract birds and butterflies • Advice on composting, pest control, watering and fertilizing • Strategies for maintaining your garden while you are away • More than 20 recipes featuring fresh ingredients you can grow • Resources to help you build a gardening community in your neighborhood or on the Internet Reggie Solomon and Michael Nolan of the popular website UrbanGardenCasual.com show you everything you need to know to grow a garden that fits your tight urban space and busy schedule. Shed your work clothes, grab your iPod and start enjoying your urban garden today. The Urban Garden Casual Philosophy is about reclaiming the peace, relaxation and satisfaction that comes from growing something yourself.
Whether you live in a city high-rise, a condo in the suburbs, or a small farm, the DIY projects is this illustrated guide will appeal to your green side. From the editors of Urban Farm magazine, Urban Farm Projects expands the boundaries of city and suburban self-sustainability. Over forty innovative do-it-yourself projects are stylishly presented and compiled in this entertaining and easy-to-follow user’s manual. With projects ranging from the simple (candle making and canning) to the more ambitious (raising bees to pollinate your own crops), this crafty book will appeal to the thrifty and eco-conscious alike. Whether working with a pot or a plot, a backyard or a balcony, Urban Farm Projects is the consummate guide to self-sufficiency and a must-have for every urban dweller looking to make the most of his or her limited money, space, time and stuff!
“For vegetable gardening in the Bay Area, Golden Gate Gardening is indispensable—if you buy one gardening book, this is the one.” --Michael Pollan This fully revised 30th Anniversary edition of the ultimate food gardening bible for Central and Northern Californians includes updates that address changes in climate, crop availability and sources, and pest management strategies, and includes expanded help for inland, hot summer gardeners. The gardening guide is beloved by both new and experienced gardeners for its friendly, practical advice on how to grow fresh produce all year long. Expert author Pam Peirce shows how to use the unique local conditions of climate, soil, and rainfall to grow both common and unusual vegetables, herbs, edible flowers, cut flowers, and fruit from trees and shrubs including berries, citrus and avocados for your kitchen garden. This encyclopedic guide covers all the bases, including what to plant in every season, how to select varieties, assess a microclimate, organize a garden, manage pests and weeds safely and effectively, attract beneficial creatures, conserve water, improve soil, make compost, harvest wisely, and garden in containers. It includes delicious, seasonal garden-to-table recipes and an essay on learning to eat from a garden. Charts, sidebars, illustrations, maps, resource lists, and cross references make it easy for readers to find the information they need. This vegetable gardening book will especially help readers in the San Francisco Bay Area and in California coastal areas from Humboldt County south to San Luis Obispo, as well as those in nearby mild-winter inland climates (including Alameda, San Mateo, Marin, Santa Clara, Monterey, and Santa Cruz counties).
Take your love of plants to the next level and start growing some food with this modern, easy-to-follow guidebook that shows you everything you need to know to grow edible plants all year round! Did you know you could grow vegetables, fruits, and herbs in containers? Well, now you can take your houseplants to the next level by growing home-grown produce and seasoning that will taste delicious in all of your favorite dishes. How to Grow Your Own Food identifies 50 common, easy-to-grow edible plants from herbs to vegetables, along with detailed care instructions and beautiful illustrations of each plant. You’ll find everything you need to know about building your container garden including: -How to choose the right size container for each plant -How to water (and feed!) your plants for optimal growth -When to harvest your crops for the best flavor -And much more! It’s time to turn your decorative plants into ones that will keep you happy and healthy! No matter how much or how little space you have in your apartment, you can enjoy everything—from basil to onions to strawberries—with this practical guide to container gardening.