Gardening

Since the 1890s, providing places for people to garden has been an inventive strategy to improve American urban conditions. There have been vacant-lot gardens, school gardens, Depression-era relief gardens, victory gardens, and community gardens - each representing a consistent impulse to return to gardening during times of social and economic change. In this critical history of community gardening in America, the most comprehensive review of the greening of urban communities to date, Laura J. Lawson documents the evolution of urban garden programs in the United States. Her vibrant narrative focuses on the values associated with gardening, the ebb and flow of campaigns during times of social and economic crisis, organizational strategies of these primarily volunteer campaigns, and the sustainability of current programs. more...

Price: $15.95

Enjoy and benefit from the garden all year long. Whether it's onions in the summer, lettuce in the winter, or orchids any time, The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to Year-Round Gardening covers every step of the process of both outdoor and indoor gardening. From seeds, soil, compost, equipment, and fertilizers to all types of covers and greenhouses, and even gardening and harvesting in root cellars during winter, this guide is a must-have for any dedicated gardener. *Over 7 million households nationwide plan to grow their own fruits, vegetables, herbs, and berries. *Trend has received a boost from Michelle Obama's White House garden- as well as from the desire to save money on food. *The only book that covers both outdoor covered gardening and green­house gardening, as well as root-cellar gardening and harvesting. *Author is an expert in the field of greenhouse gardens. more...

Price: $19.95

Discover how easy it is to master composting. Whether you're an avid gardener or simply want to reduce the amount of materials you send to the landfill, Composting For Dummies shows you how to turn household food waste, yard clippings, and more into free, nutrient-rich compost and mulch. From building and working with traditional compost bins to starting an indoor worm-composting operation, Composting For Dummies makes these often intimidating projects easy, fun, and accessible. If you've ever said to yourself, "I should start composting," this book will help you get the job done. You'll get expert tips and helpful advice on which materials to compost (and materials to avoid), whether to turn or not to turn your pile, how to achieve the right balance of materials in your pile, and more!: Building plans for a variety of compost bins; How to make and maintain a compost pile; Up-to-date container trends. With the helpful guidance of Composting For Dummies, you'll discover a back-to-basics skill that will benefit the earth and your wallet! more...

Price: $12.99

The ultimate guide to cultivating charming gardens in any container. Want to spruce up your outdoor space with fresh flowers, plants, vegetables, and other succulents? Container Gardening For Dummies, Second Edition gives you clear, concise, and step-by-step instructions for cultivating charming gardens in everything from a redwood window box to a hanging basket to an old pair of cowboy boots. Featuring eight pages of full-color photos, this helpful guide fills you in on every step of the process, from working with different soil mixes to preventing insects, pests, and diseases to expressing style with color, form, texture, and other design elements.: This edition includes 25% new and updated material; Choosing, planting, and caring for flowers, herbs, fruits, and vegetables; Up-to-date container trends, including edible gardening. Container Gardening For Dummies, Second Edition is a fun, informative guide for inexperienced city slickers and savvy country cousins alike. more...

Price: $19.99

Culinary Herbs for Short-Season Gardeners is a comprehensive, reader friendly guide to cultivating over 50 culinary herbs – including over 100 cultivars – under the less-than-ideal climatic conditions experienced by northern gardeners. Includes descriptions of the herbs, cultivation and harvesting notes, culinary uses, and herbal trivia, plus gardening tips and techniques for cold-climate herb gardeners. more...

Price: $24.95