Alan & Gill Bridgewater – författare

Home Gardener''s Water Gardens is the essential guide to enhancing an outdoor space with bubbling, gurgling, flowing water. For centuries, water has been a source of inspiration and delight to people of all cultures, making it a common feature of garden design worldwide. The tranquility of water has the power to soothe the senses, while moving water can add an exciting new dimension to a garden. This lushly illustrated guide gives an overview of water garden styles and explains how to assess which style is suitable for a particular plot. Advice is given on planning, construction, oxygenation, and filtration. Inspirational pictures and step-by-step diagrams showcase a willow pattern water garden, a Japanese water garden, and a castaway island water garden. In addition to information on stocking ponds with plants, fish, and other aquatic life, there''s also full coverage of maintenance, improvements, and troubleshooting.

Patios is the essential guide to enhancing outdoor spaces with attractive patios, divisions, levels, seating areas, walkways, and more. From city backyards to country gardens, nothing adds distinction like a well-constructed patio. Here you''ll find advice, inspiration, and hundreds of achievable designs to develop the patio you''ve always wanted. Build a barbeque area, create a cozy nook, or restore an existing patio to its original elegance. This all-in-one reference is perfect for beginners and DIY enthusiasts alike.

One of the special joys of having outdoor space is the wildlife it attracts—and this Specialist volume helps gardeners turn their little plot of land into an animal-friendly haven. Concise and easy to use, It gives expert advice on planning and planting to create an ideal environment for birds, butterflies, reptiles, and mammals—a place where these wild creatures will find everything they need to survive and thrive. There''s pond-building guidance, instructions for assembling and siting nesting boxes and feeders, ideas for both town and country gardens, and advice on making the area pet- and child-safe.

Packed with practical advice from leading cultivation specialists, this concise, easy-to-use book covers virtually every aspect of garden design and maintenance—from choosing a plot to selecting plants, maximizing space and building raised beds. Plant Combinations for an Abundant Garden shows how to create productive gardens by selecting the perfect plant combinations. A comprehensive plant directory provides handy information on summer-flowering annuals, herbaceous perennials, shrubs, small trees, climbers, water plants, bamboos, culinary herbs, fruits and vegetables. Practical advice and step-by-step instructions are included for building up layers of soil with mushroom compost, covering weeds with mulch, protecting plants with nets and plastic and much more. With more than 300 gorgeous color photographs, illustrations and diagrams, this book is a must for busy gardeners everywhere.