Excerpt from Making a Garden to Bloom This Year The design to be employed for a garden planned for only one season is not so vital as the design which permanent planting de mands; nevertheless, it should be as good as it can be, under the limitations which the character Of the soil may impose, or which are imposed by unalterable condi tions. I speak of the soil conditions sep arately, for ordinary soil is alterable, up to a certain point, even within the limits of a single summer; but there are condi tions which may not be changed within so short a space of time - conditions of shade sometimes, or moisture, or dryness - and there are some imposed by absolutely unalterable physical peculiarities. The garden design, as well as the selection of the plants, must, therefore, conform to these, for even annuals have their prefer ences, which are worth considering and conceding. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

“Big ideas for your small garden.” —Garden Design When it comes to gardens, bigger isn’t always better, and The Less Is More Garden shows you how to take advantage of every square foot of space. Designer Susan Morrison offers savvy tips to match your landscape to your lifestyle, draws on years of experience to recommend smart plants with seasonal interest, and suggests hardscape materials to personalize your space. Inspiring photographs highlight a variety of inspiring small-space designs from around the country. With The Less Is More Garden, you’ll see how limited space can mean unlimited opportunities for gorgeous garden design.

“A Way to Garden prods us toward that ineffable place where we feel we belong; it’s a guide to living both in and out of the garden.” —The New York Times Book Review For Margaret Roach, gardening is more than a hobby, it’s a calling. Her unique approach, which she calls “horticultural how-to and woo-woo,” is a blend of vital information you need to memorize and intuitive steps you must simply feel and surrender to. In A Way to Garden, Roach imparts decades of garden wisdom on seasonal gardening, ornamental plants, vegetable gardening, design, gardening for wildlife, organic practices, and much more. She also challenges gardeners to think beyond their garden borders and to consider the ways gardening can enrich the world. Brimming with beautiful photographs of Roach’s own garden, A Way to Garden is practical, inspiring, and a must-have for every passionate gardener.

In a time of climate change and mass extinction, how we garden matters more than ever: “An outstanding and deeply passionate book.” —Marc Bekoff, author of The Emotional Lives of Animals Plenty of books tell home gardeners and professional landscape designers how to garden sustainably, what plants to use, and what resources to explore. Yet few examine why our urban wildlife gardens matter so much—not just for ourselves, but for the larger human and animal communities. Our landscapes push aside wildlife and in turn diminish our genetically programmed love for wildness. How can we get ourselves back into balance through gardens, to speak life's language and learn from other species? Benjamin Vogt addresses why we need a new garden ethic, and why we urgently need wildness in our daily lives—lives sequestered in buildings surrounded by monocultures of lawn and concrete that significantly harm our physical and mental health. He examines the psychological issues around climate change and mass extinction as a way to understand how we are short-circuiting our response to global crises, especially by not growing native plants in our gardens. Simply put, environmentalism is not political; it's social justice for all species marginalized today and for those facing extinction tomorrow. By thinking deeply and honestly about our built landscapes, we can create a compassionate activism that connects us more profoundly to nature and to one another.

Breathe new life into your garden! Maybe your garden isn't what it once was. Or maybe it's stunning during the full bloom of summer, but falls apart the rest of the year. Maybe it's crowded, sparse, boring, disjointed...or it just doesn't resonate with you, and you have no idea why or what to do about it. Don't retreat indoors! In this friendly guide, acclaimed landscape designer and best-selling author Rebecca Sweet offers simple strategies for transforming established plots and empty spaces into the garden of your dreams--a place that soothes your soul and revives your spirits year-round. Start by identifying problems with your current plantings (such as clashing colors, lack of flow and "one-of-each-itis"), then learn how to inject new life using artful combinations of color, texture and form. At the back of the book, you'll find a thoughtfully curated selection of 78 plants perfect for creating key elements of harmony in your garden. You don't need to be a professional landscaper to put these concepts into play. With this book as your guide, turning blah spaces into breathtaking places becomes fun, easy and perennially rewarding! Overflowing with creative examples of how to... Wake up boring beds. Make a cramped garden feel bigger, or bring a sense of intimacy to an expansive area. Downplay eyesores. Create moods ranging from serene to stimulating. Add four-seasons interest. Decide which plants to keep, and which to pull. Thoughtfully integrate hardscaping, structures and accessories. Transform an ordinary garden into one that's memorable and meaningful!

If you're fed up with buying flowers to display and arrange at home, then look now further than this easy-to-follow, practical guide to growing your own cut flowers from gardening expert Sarah Raven (Gardener's World, The Daily Telegraph). With over 250 specially commissioned photos, top tips and step-by-step instructions, this book is the first step to having a house full of sophisticated and stylish home-grown arrangements! 'She makes it so simple. Once Sarah has had her way with you, you will never need to buy another bunch of out-of-season Kenyan roses again.' -- The Guardian 'Absolutely fantastic!' -- ***** Reader review 'A must for all flower lovers' -- ***** Reader review 'Inspirational' -- ***** Reader review 'Sarah Raven is the best!' -- ***** Reader review 'Beautifully illustrated and full of imaginative ideas' -- ***** Reader review ******************************************************************************************************* Demystifying the world of floristry, Grow Your Own Cut Flowers by Sarah Raven (Gardener's World, The Daily Telegraph) is perfect for beginner gardeners, flower arrangers wanting to grow their own flowers and experienced gardeners wanting ideas to fill a house with their harvest. With insider tips on sowing seed, conditioning flowers and putting together stylish arrangements for any occasion, step-by-step instructions, flower directories and over 250 specially commissioned photographs, this is an invaluable, practical and accessible guide to bringing a little bit of the outside into your house in a rewarding, stylish and sustainable way.

Grow a few square feet of green no matter where you live. “A colorful (and meticulous) how-to guide for creating gorgeous indoor and outdoor window boxes.”—Real Simple Meet the window box: by far the most accessible garden for any skill level, space, or quality of light. Whether your window faces south where the sun floods in or north with nothing but shade, these indoor and outdoor projects show you how to easily grow succulents, herbs, cacti, monstera, and more. Bright photography and instructions take you from understanding soil and watering needs to personalizing your own box, making this a great primer for anyone who’s green to gardening.