Once again we have a selection of gardening books that cover a spectrum of topics. From personal cultivation odyssys, histories of landmark horticultural events, plant breeding, foraging, and practical advice on how to get your garden thriving. There could be something in this selection to interest anyone who loves plants.
Gardening in a changing climate : inspirational and practical ideas for creating sustainable, waterwise and dry gardens with projects, garden plans and more than 400 photographs / Ambra Edwards ; with special photography by Lynn Keddie. “The approach of this new book is the garden styles of nine regions which have always dealt superbly with heat, drought, and water shortage: the Italian Garden, the Islamic Garden, the Patio Garden, the Mediterranean Garden, the Gravel Garden, the Desert Garden, the Bush Garden, the Flowering Desert and the Jungle Garden. This is a critical read for any gardener, offering a practical and inspirational insight into the classic gardens defined by sunshine, humidity and lack of water that will inform the gardens of tomorrow.” (Adapted Syndetics Summary)
This organic life : confessions of a suburban homesteader / Joan Dye Gussow.
“Joan Dye Gussow lives in a home not unlike the average home in a neighborhood that is, more or less, typically suburban. What sets her apart from the rest of us is that she thinks more deeply, and in more eloquent detail, about food. At the heart of This Organic Life is the premise that locally grown food eaten in season makes sense economically, ecologically, and gastronomically. You won’t find an electric can opener in this woman’s house. In fact, you probably won’t find many cans, as Joan has discovered ways to nourish herself, literally and spiritually, from her own backyard. If you are looking for a tale of courage and independence in a setting that is entirely familiar, read her story.”(Adapted Syndetics summary)
Backyard foraging : 65 familiar plants you didn’t know you could eat / Ellen Zachos. “Ideal for first-time foragers, this book features 70 edible weeds, flowers, mushrooms, and ornamental plants typically found in urban or suburban neighborhoods. Full-colour photographs make identification easy, and tips on where certain plants are likely to be found, how to avoid pollution and pesticides, and how to recognize the plants you should never harvest make foraging as safe and simple as stepping into your own backyard.” (Adapted Syndetics Summary)
Plant breeding for the home gardener : how to create unique vegetables & flowers / Joseph Tychonievich.
“Gardeners have been creating unique vegetables for centuries, simply by saving seed of the varieties that tasted or performed best. By following the advice in Plant Breeding for the Home Gardener you’ll learn how to set achievable goals in your breeding program; the ins and outs of genetics (in non-technical language!); how to pick the best parent plants; how to cross-pollinate; the best techniques to use for popular vegetables and flowers; and how to harvest and store seed. In no time at all, you’ll be producing a tastier tomato, a perkier pepper, or a more ravishing rose!” (Adapted Syndetics Summary)
Teaming with nutrients : the organic gardener’s guide to optimizing plant nutrition / Jeff Lowenfels.
“In easy-to-understand language, Jeff Lowenfels illuminates the science behind plant nutrition and offers 100 percent organic recommendations on what to feed plants, including fertilizer recipes tailored to specific kinds of plants. Teaming with Nutrients is sure to open your eyes to the importance of understanding the role of nutrients in healthy, productive organic gardens.” (Adapted Syndetics Summary)
Gardening for geeks : DIY tests, gadgets, & techniques that utilize microbiology, mathematics, and ecology to exponentially maximize the yield of your garden / Christy Wilhelmi. “With Gardening for Geeks, you’ll examine your ecosystem and discover how you can create the right environment for your plants. From analyzing meteorological patterns in order to plant productive beds to experimenting with the carbon and nitrogen levels in your soil, this book will teach you all about the developments and chemical reactions that occur at each phase of growth and how you can alter your planting techniques to construct the most thriving, productive garden possible.” (Adapted Syndetics Summary)
My garden and other animals / Mike Dilger ; illustrations by Christina Holvey. “,Mike has long had a desire to own and manage his own personal garden nature reserve. Mike and Christina saw the potential in their new rural town ‘house-and-garden-to-be’ with its long, uncared-for lawn which ran down to a tree-covered bank revealing at its base a small, tinkling stream. So begins their year-long journey to create their very own wildlife sanctuary. This light-hearted, amusing narrative will appeal to anyone interested in quirky nature tales with a twist, and wildlife enthusiasts generally.” (Adapted Syndetics Summary)
RHS Chelsea Flower Show : a centenary celebration / Brent Elliott. “For one hundred years, RHS Chelsea Flower Show has been the annual event in the world of horticulture. This is the essential centenary souvenir, and an enduring look at what makes Chelsea special. Royal Horticultural Society insider Brent Elliott explains how the show has grown and changed, how it is has formed part of the social calendar and how the nation’s taste in garden design and planting has been reflected and shaped by Chelsea over the years.” (Adapted Syndetics Summary)
The man who plants trees / Jim Robbins. “This is an extraordinary book about trees. Trees and forests are far more than just plants: they have myriad functions that help maintain the atmosphere and biosphere. The global forest is also in crisis, and when the oldest trees in the world suddenly start dying – across North America, Europe, the Amazon – it’s time to pay attention. At the heart of this remarkable exploration of the power of trees is the amazing story of one man, a shade tree farmer named David Milarch, and his quest to clone the oldest and largest trees – from the California redwoods to the oaks of Ireland – to protect the ancient genetics and use them to reforest the planet.” (Adapted Syndetics Summary)
A gardener’s guide to bulbs / Christine Skelmersdale ; [foreword by Alan Titchmarsh]. “Bulbs are always a delight for gardeners, whether used to burst freely in drifts or caught to add color and exuberance within a border or container. This book captures that sense of joy by celebrating the potential of bulbs throughout the year. It gives practical advice on choosing and growing bulbs, including how and where to grow, and planting for succession. It provides a detailed listing of the most common and interesting bulbs, ideas for the ordinary gardener, and includes detailed reference for the more experienced.” (Adapted Syndetics Summary)
Succulents simplified : growing, designing, and crafting with 100 easy-care varieties / Debra Lee Baldwin. “A complete primer on choosing, growing and designing with succulents. Along with gorgeous photos packed with design ideas, Debra offers her top 100 plant picks and explains how to grow and care for succulents no matter where you live. Step-by-step projects, including a cake-stand centerpiece, special-occasion bouquets, a vertical garden, and a succulent topiary sphere, will inspire you to express your individual style.” (Adapted Syndetics Summary)
