Specialist Guide – serie

Novice gardeners and experts alike will appreciate this practical advice on virtually every aspect of gardening-from choosing a plot to selecting flowers and water features. The instructions and advice encompass plans and proven techniques for planting traditional English, Japanese, herb, and rock gardens, and building structures such as fences and walls, arches, pergolas and trellises, as well as decking and pathways. More than 300 colour photographs, illustrations and diagrams ensure that anyone can create a glorious garden.

Ponds and water features have been popular in gardens for thousands of years. This book is aimed at anyone who is thinking of building a pond, anyone who has bought some of the materials but doesn't know how to start or anyone who has a pond and needs to know how to keep it at its best.The book starts with the basics of assessing the garden, checking the site, planning and preparation, tools and materials and electrical wiring and safety. With the basics established the authors introduce the many different types of pond and how they can be created, maintained and enhanced.From split-level ponds to wildlife ponds, plant and fish and adding sculptures, bird houses, stones and bridges, each subject is presented in a clear way with box features, lists and questions and answers. The final chapter looks at water features - a rock pool or stream for a large garden or a small wall mask or trough for a tiny back garden.

More than 330 color illustrations and diagrams, backed with easily followed text, help gardeners at all skill levels learn to buy, plant, tend, and harvest a rich bounty of herbs. Complete herb identification and growing instructions are provided for annuals, biennials, bulbs, herbaceous perennials, and shrub-like herbs. There's also planting patterns for a compact cartwheel garden, corner and narrow planting beds, and formal herb gardens, and much more-plus information on preparing herbs for culinary use.

Allotment gardening is becoming increasingly popular as people discover that growing their own organic vegetables, fruits and herbs is an attractive and achievable option. Allotment gardening also has additional benefits: it's an excellent way to take exercise and be sociable, and it can be therapeutic. "The Allotment Specialist" is crammed with practical information on every aspect of growing produce on an allotment. Beginning with the basics, it includes tips on choosing a plot, preparing the soil, crop rotation, planting the beds, and weed and pest control. Year-round calendars provide at-a-glance information on key tasks and give pointers on keeping allotments productive all year round. Comprehensive, A-Z directories of vegetables and fruits guide readers through the most popular varieties, their soil and site needs, and the best times and methods for sowing, planting and harvesting. With reliable, practical information and an easy-to-use format, this is the perfect companion for every current or prospective allotment owner.

In our ecologically aware times, composting is one smart way to minimize our carbon footprint and help the earth. This new entry in the highly successful Specialist series gives gardeners all the guidance they need to start making, storing, and using their own compost.It offers Information on different types of compost and their ingredients, advice on constructing a compost bin, and detailed explanations of wormeries, green manuring, and seed and potting composts. There's no better or easier-to-follow guide for the eco-smart gardener!

In order to be a successful gardener you have to know how to prune - whether to improve growth, increase fruiting qualities or to enable the plant to grow in space-restricted areas or cold environments. This practical book provides advice on pruning garden plants, from infancy to maturity.Included is detailed advice on renovating neglected plants, from shrubs and climbers to fruit trees and bushes. There is also a fun element, with instructions for creating topiary in the garden.

No matter what the type of garden or outdoor space, trees and shrubs are usually featured. This is because they are so versatile. Depending on the species chosen, shrubs and trees can form the background to a garden, be a focal point or add height to an overlooked garden.Whatever your garden needs, a tree or shrub can provide it. This book details the basics of choosing, buying, planting establishing and transplanting. A comprehensive plant directory has A-Z lists of species within different categories - seasons, colour, size etc.The final section of the book looks at how to care for shrubs and trees, giving practical advice on how to prune and clip, and the pests, diseases and other problems to watch out for.

The majority of people do not have the luxury of a large outdoor space - whether it be a garden, terrace or courtyard - most have a small area to work with. However, even the smallest of gardens can be made into a stunning outdoor area; the trick is knowing how to achieve this. This book contains all of the information that anyone who is looking to improve their small garden needs to know. Starting from the basics of types of garden, equipment, lighting and plant care, the book offers a wealth of ideas on different garden styles - from a Mediterranean garden to a wildflower garden, a Japanese garden to a wildlife garden - detailed lists of appropriate plants, including herbs, fruits and vegetables and practical step-by-step instructions for making paths, patios and other garden structures.

All gardeners know the disappointment of finding their flowers nibbled, or their prized produce riddled with rust. Armed with this essential guide, which helps you identify, target, and banish the likely culprits, you can stop the destruction.Get acquainted with all the common pests and diseases that afflict ornamentals, vegetables, fruits, and houseplants, and learn the best ways to deal with them. The effective options include both biological controls-increasingly popular in the gardening world-as well as the better-known organic and chemical methods.At-a-glance checklists explain which ailments generally afflict various plant types, from roses and rock-garden plants to soft fruits and vegetables.

For those without the time or stamina to spend hours maintaining a garden, well-known experts Alan and Gill Bridgewater offer an easy-care method with minimal digging and weeding. They show how to make raised beds, build up soil with mushroom compost, cover weeds with mulch, and protect plants with nets and plastic--all using organic methods whenever possible. A must for every gardener.