The First-Time Gardener; Everything the Beginner Needs to Know to Create, Maintain and Enjoy a Garden

by Unknown

• ISBN13: 9781903258309
• ISBN10: 1903258308
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2003-04-01
• Publisher: Carroll & Brown Pub Ltd

Summary

InThe First-Time Gardener,expert Jonathan Edwards offers plenty of helpful, well-organized tips and instruction for the beginner. Included are guidelines for planning a garden from scratch; sections devoted to each of the five major features of any gardenlawns, flower borders, climbers, shrubs, and trees; advice on planting watering, feeding, and pruning; essential information on buying plants and equipment; answers to frequently asked questions; a month-by-month guide to year-round maintenance; hundreds of step-by-step color photos and illustrations to clarify any task; and hundreds of inspiring ideas for making your garden into a little piece of paradise.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 8
Jargon buster	p. 10
Making plans
Designing your garden	p. 14
Designing with plants	p. 16
Growing your own food	p. 18
Where and how to buy plants	p. 20
Choosing healthy plants	p. 22
Essential tools and equipment	p. 24
Other useful equipment	p. 26
Instant improvements	p. 28
Using colourful paints and stains	p. 30
Changing shapes and perspectives	p. 32
Creating mystery and drama	p. 34
New approaches to garden design	p. 36
Essential features
Ground cover	p. 40
Plants or paving?	p. 42
Creating a new lawn	p. 44
Maintaining a perfect lawn	p. 46
Improving your lawn	p. 48
Case study--easy-care garden surfaces	p. 50
Case study--a sun deck for all seasons	p. 52
Feature--leading you down the garden path	p. 54
Paved patios	p. 56
Flower borders	p. 58
Spring flowers	p. 60
Colourful summer flowers	p. 62
Autumn and winter blooms for gardens	p. 64
Bigger and better displays	p. 66
Case study--a shady perennial paradise	p. 68
Case study--revitalising old flower borders	p. 70
Feature--tough customers for difficult situations	p. 72
Climbing plants	p. 74
Adding interest using climbers	p. 76
Planting and supporting	p. 78
Spring climbers	p. 80
Summer scent and colour	p. 82
Autumn and winter climbers	p. 84
Case study--vertical gardening with climbers	p. 86
Case study--reviving old climbers	p. 88
Feature--adding interest to borders with climbers	p. 90
Constructing arches and pergolas	p. 92
Shrubs and trees	p. 94
Spring selection	p. 96
Best summer choices	p. 98
Colour into winter	p. 100
Planting trees and shrubs	p. 102
Case study--planning a year-round border	p. 104
Case study--controlling overgrown shrubs	p. 106
Feature--good boundaries for a modern garden	p. 108
Potted plants	p. 110
Choosing pots and plants	p. 112
Planting containers	p. 114
Planting hanging baskets	p. 116
Caring for container plants	p. 118
Getting better displays	p. 120
Case study--creating a private terrace	p. 122
Case study--using containers in the garden	p. 124
Feature--a kitchen garden in and around the patio	p. 126
Growing herbs in containers	p. 128
Water features	p. 130
Small water features	p. 132
Feature--wonderful ways with water	p. 134
Building a new pond	p. 136
Adding plants and fish	p. 138
Wildlife ponds	p. 140
Case study--a garden with natural balance	p. 142
Case study--a watery retreat in the country	p. 144
Keeping it looking good
Spring	p. 148
Early summer	p. 150
Late summer	p. 152
Autumn	p. 154
Winter	p. 156
Gardening basics
Know your garden climate	p. 160
Planning a garden redesign	p. 162
Understanding your soil	p. 166
Improving your soil	p. 168
Feeding your garden	p. 170
Weed control	p. 172
Pest and disease prevention	p. 174
Problem solving	p. 176
Growing plants from seed	p. 178
New plants from cuttings	p. 180
Pruning made easy	p. 182
Pruning popular plants	p. 184
What's in a name?	p. 186
Index	p. 188
Acknowledgements	p. 192
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