Complete Home Gardening : Growing Secrets and Techniques for Gardeners

by Smith, Miranda

• ISBN13: 9781580113267
• ISBN10: 1580113265
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-12-01
• Publisher: Creative Homeowner Pr

Summary

Geared toward both the novice and experienced gardener, Complete Home Gardening is an essential resource for those looking to learn new ways to grow a beautiful garden. Beginners will learn the essentials through beautifully illustrated, step-by-step techniques, while experienced gardeners benefit from cutting-edge, twenty-first century growing tips. Author Miranda Smith offers professional advice for growing and enjoying a beautiful home garden, explaining how to grow flowers, herbs, vegetables, and fruit with less effort and more yields.

Author Biography

Miranda Smith is an expert grower, who has been gardening and teaching gardening for 30 years. She is the author of five top-selling garden books, including Your Backyard Herb Garden, Backyard Fruits and Berries, and Greenhouse Gardening. She edited and was the primary writer of The Real Dirt, Farmers Tell about Organic and Low Input Practices in the Northeast. Miranda lives in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 8
Tools, Materials, and Plants	p. 8
About the Plant Directories	p. 9
Preparing to Garden	p. 10
Designing for Easy Care	p. 12
Laying Out the Garden	p. 14
Soil	p. 18
Composting	p. 21
Testing Your Soil	p. 24
Soil Amendments and Fertilizers	p. 28
Cover Crops and Green Manures	p. 31
Climate	p. 33
Gardening Basics	p. 40
Plant Basics	p. 42
Buying Plants	p. 44
Propagation	p. 46
Seeds	p. 50
Planting	p. 53
Watering	p. 56
Flowers, Flowers, and More Flowers	p. 58
Planning Flower Beds	p. 60
Bulbs	p. 63
Plant-by-Plant Directory of Bulbs	p. 67
Perennials	p. 70
Plant-by-Plant Directory of Perennials	p. 74
Annuals	p. 88
Plant-by-Plant Directory of Annuals	p. 92
Biennials	p. 108
Plant-by-Plant Directory of Biennials	p. 110
Specialty Flower Gardens	p. 114
Rose Gardens	p. 116
Gardens for Bees, Birds & Butterflies	p. 122
Rock Gardens	p. 125
Gardens for Dried Arrangements	p. 127
Water Gardens	p. 134
Considering Your Lifestyle	p. 135
Siting Your Water Feature	p. 136
Size and Styles	p. 146
Liners	p. 157
Edging Options	p. 163
Designing the Pond Configuration	p. 166
Making a Site Plan	p. 168
Selecting Your Plants	p. 171
Beware of Invasive Plants	p. 174
Submerged Plants or Oxygenators	p. 176
Plant-by-Plant Directory of Water Garden
Related Plants	p. 177
Vines	p. 214
How Vines Climb	p. 216
Training and Pruning Vines	p. 222
Watering and Routine Care	p. 224
Plant-by-Plant Directory of Vines	p. 226
Vegetable Gardens	p. 230
Planning Your Vegetable Garden	p. 232
Planting Your Vegetable Garden	p. 241
Extending the Seasons	p. 246
Keeping Soil and Plants Healthy	p. 247
Saving Your Own Seed	p. 248
Plant-by-Plant Directory of Vegetables	p. 252
Herb Gardens	p. 274
Designing Herb Gardens	p. 276
Containers	p. 279
A Garden of Treasures	p. 280
Herbs for Beauty	p. 284
Plant-by-Plant Directory of Herbs	p. 285
Fruits	p. 298
Fruit Trees	p. 300
Planting Fruit Trees	p. 304
Pruning Fruit Trees	p. 306
Espaliered Fruit Trees	p. 311
Care of Your Fruit Trees	p. 312
Directory of Fruit Trees	p. 315
Choosing Fruiting Shrubs	p. 322
Pruning Fruiting Shrubs	p. 325
Directory of Fruiting Shrubs	p. 328
Choosing Fruiting Vines	p. 330
Pruning and Training Fruiting Vines	p. 332
Caring for Your Fruit Vines	p. 335
Directory of Fruiting Vines	p. 336
Choosing Bramble Fruit	p. 338
Planting, Pruning, & Training Brambles	p. 340
Directory of Bramble Fruits	p. 342
Strawberries	p. 343
Preventing Weeds, Pests, and Diseases	p. 346
Weeds	p. 348
Directory of Weeds	p. 351
Animal Pests	p. 352
Insect and Mite Pests	p. 356
Directory of Pests, Including Controls	p. 360
Diseases	p. 372
Directory of Diseases	p. 377
Glossary	p. 384
Index	p. 388
Credits	p. 397
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