Book picks similar to
Best Native Plants for Southern Gardens: A Handbook for Gardeners, Homeowners, and Professionals by Gil Nelson
gardening
horticulture
landscape-design
plants
Orchard House: How a Neglected Garden Taught One Family to Grow
Tara Austen Weaver - 2015
Any sane person would have seen the abandoned property for what it was: a ramshackle half-acre filled with dead grass, blackberry vines, and trouble. But Tara sees potential and promise—not only for the edible bounty the garden could yield for her family, but for the personal renewal she and her mother might reap along the way. So begins Orchard House, a story of rehabilitation and cultivation—of land and soul. Through bleak winters, springs that sputter with rain and cold, golden days of summer, and autumns full of apples, pears, and pumpkins, this evocative memoir recounts the Weavers’ trials and triumphs, detailing what grew and what didn’t, the obstacles overcome and the lessons learned. Inexorably, as mother and daughter tend this wild patch and the fruits of their labor begin to flourish, green shoots of hope emerge from the darkness of their past. For everyone who has ever planted something that they wished would survive—or tried to mend something that seemed forever broken—Orchard House is a tale of healing and growth set in a most unlikely place.Praise for Orchard House “This touching memoir chronicles how the act of transforming a garden together—of ‘planting hope’—helps a mother and daughter reconnect and revive the sense of groundedness that had been lost within their relationship and themselves. . . . [Orchard House] deftly [captures] the love, laughter, trials and tears that make motherhood the joy and job it truly is.”—American Way “Honest and moving . . . [the story of] one woman’s initiation into intensive gardening with her mother, which changed a neglected space into something beautiful and bountiful and shifted their relationship as well.”—Kirkus Reviews “Fascinating, tender, often heartbreaking . . . The perfect gift for a mother or a daughter with an appreciation for the transformative power of gardening.”—HGTV Gardens “A wise exploration of family roots . . . Nurturing a garden is a lovely metaphor for healing a family. . . . [Orchard House] could serve as a handbook for both.”—Shelf Awareness “With buoyant grace and empathic insights, Weaver offers an ardent tribute to both the science of perseverance and the art of letting go.”—Booklist“This is a glorious book—lyrical, honest, compassionate, and wise. It reminds us that gardens and families are messy businesses, but from them we can harvest hope and food and moments of grace.”—Erica Bauermeister, author of The School of Essential Ingredients “Filled with sensuous descriptions, this beguiling story enchants. Gardeners and non-gardeners alike will delight in this lyrical tale of how a garden grows a family.”—Diana Abu-Jaber, author of The Language of Baklava and Birds of Paradise“Orchard House is a glorious and deeply moving story of one family’s redemption. If Anne Lamott and Wendell Berry ever had a literary love child, Tara Austen Weaver might well be her.”—Elissa Altman, author of Poor Man’s Feast
The Perennial Gardener's Design Primer
Stéphanie Cohen - 2005
Encouraging experimentation, Stephanie Cohen and Nancy J. Ondra show you how to plan a garden that incorporates unique combinations of plants to achieve stunning effects. With an overview of garden design fundamentals and 20 sample garden plans, Cohen and Ondra will inspire you to play with creative juxtapositions of vibrant hues and subtle textures. Let your imagination run wild as you create your own unique and original garden designs.
Unwanted Visitors
Neicy P - 2018
After five years, the nightmares that she had every night reminded her repeatedly of the things she went through as a child, and the murder she witnessed when she was a teenager. When the opportunity presented itself, Lisa moved away from her family and created a life that didn’t involve them. Lisa had great friends and strived for the normal life that she craved. Everything was going as planned, until her routine life was interrupted by a phone call from the brother that she feared. Lisa was brought back to the place that she vowed to never return to. It was her childhood home that held secrets and lies of a life that she no longer wanted. Her therapist, Dr. Mage, encouraged her to spend time with her siblings in their time of need, but a trip to the cabin, made Lisa realize how angry she was. Not only at her mother, but at a woman that took her brother under her wing and created the monster that he was. They called her Aunt Janet, a name in the household that no one was able to say without looking behind them. She was ruthless and evil in the cruelest way. Lisa didn’t like it and couldn’t wait to go back home when she heard that her brother and sister had been keeping in touch with her. But, a long-lost friend helped her cope with her reality and promised her that he would stay by her side, no matter what. In turn, it made Lisa think twice about leaving. She wanted to give him a chance, but knew that it was going to be difficult to let him in. Especially with a serial killer for a brother and an Aunt. Will Lisa be able to save her family from the woman that caused them so much pain, or will Aunt Janet have the last laugh?
Maybe I Should Just Shut Up and Go Away!: The Last No-Holds-Barred Literary Gasp--Part Memoir and Part Commentary--Of a 42-Year Veteran Talk Radio (A)Right-Wing Nut Job or (B)Libertarian Icon
Neal Boortz - 2012
In his memoir, Maybe I Should Just Shut Up And Go Away, he looks back across the decades and shares the often-hilarious reality of what happens behind the scenes when you re a talk radio icon. Longtime friend with national radio greats Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, he tells how those relationships began in the hot seat of competition. Tributes are included from Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Home Depot Founder Bernie Marcus and 2012 presidential nominee Herman Cain. Though early predictions by those who knew him in his youth cast Boortz as a sure prospect to become a preacher, he took a different route to educating the masses. Longtime listeners are certain to become enthusiastic readers as Boortz finally tips his hat to more than four decades of teeing up controversy, political education and general entertainment for audiences across the country to enjoy and tells all they ve been wanting to know but couldn t get anyone to share until now."
The Vegetable Gardener's Bible: Discover Ed's High-Yield W-O-R-D System for All North American Gardening Regions
Edward C. Smith - 2000
in vegetable gardening with Ed Smith's amazing gardening system. By integrating four principles -- Wide beds, Organic methods, Raised beds, and Deep beds -- Smith reinvents vegetable gardening, making it possible for everyone to have the best, most successful garden ever. By following this complete system you cultivate deep, powerful soil that nourishes plants and discourages pests and disease. The result is fewer weeds, healthier plants, and lots of great-tasting vegetables. Plus, you'll enjoy gardening as you never have before. The Vegetable Gardener's Bible -- the last W.O.R.D. in vegetable gardening.Praise for the book:"this book will answer all your questions as well as put you on the path to an abundant harvest. As a bonus, anecdotes and stories make this informative book fun to read." - New York Newsday
Vertical Gardening:The Beginner's Guide To Organic & Sustainable Produce Production Without A Backyard (vertical gardening, urban gardening, urban homestead, Container Gardening Book 1)
Olivia Abby - 2016
You’ll learn how vertical gardening works, how to prepare for sowing your garden, and how to care for your beloved plants!
Read this book for FREE on Kindle Unlimited – Download Now!
With the right tools, tips, and techniques, you can grow delicious and nutritious vegetables, the natural way. You’ll learn why compost is the only fertilizer you’ll ever need, how to identity and control garden pests, and which plants keep the bugs away!
You’ll even find out how to make your own organic pesticide!
Remember – You don’t need a Kindle device to read this book – Just download a FREE Kindle Reader for your computer, smartphone, or tablet! Don’t wait another minute – Download Vertical Gardening: The Beginner's Guide To Organic & Sustainable Produce Production Without A Backyardright away and enjoy this lifestyle today! You’ll be so glad you did!
Composting for Dummies
Cathy Cromell - 2010
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 for anyone!Digging into compost basics -- get a handle on the benefits of composting and the tools you'll need to get startedChoosing the best method and location -- find the best composting method and location that's right for you, whether it's above ground, in a hole, in a container or bin, or even right in your kitchenBuilding your pile -- learn which ingredients can go into your compost pile, what stays out, and how to mix it all up in the right proportionsStepping beyond traditional composting -- get the lowdown on vermicomposting (letting worms eat your garbage), growing green manures to compost later, and sheet composting in the same spot you plan to plantOpen the book and find:A step-by-step guide to compostingThe right gear and tools for the jobTips on constructing your own composting containers and binsMaterials you can safely compost (and those to avoid)Cover crops to improve your soil now and compost laterRecommendations for using your finished compostWhat worms contribute to your compostTroubleshooting advice if your compost pile isn't cooperatingLearn to:Turn household food waste, yard clippings, and more into nutrient-rich compostBuild and maintain your own compost binUse worms to aid in composting, both indoors and outGive your vegetable and flower gardens a boost of energy
RHS Botany for Gardeners: The Art and Science of Gardening Explained & Explored
Geoff Hodge - 2013
For easy navigation, the book is divided into thematic changes - covering everything from Plant Parts to Plant Pests - and further subdivided into useful headings, such as 'Seed Sowing' and 'Pruning'. In addition, feature spreads profile the remarkable individuals who have collected, studied and illustrated the plants that we grow today, and 'Botany in Action' boxes provide instantly accessible practical tips and advice.Aided by this book, every gardener - and every garden - will benefit from unlocking the wealth of information that lies within the intriguing world of botanical science.
Lives of the Trees: An Uncommon History
Diana Wells - 2010
As she investigates the names and meanings of trees, telling their legends and lore, she reminds us of just how innately bound we are to these protectors of our planet. Since the human race began, we have depended on them for food, shade, shelter and fuel, not to mention furniture, musical instruments, medicine utensils and more. Wells has a remarkable ability to dig up the curious and the captivating: At one time, a worm found in a hazelnut prognosticated ill fortune. Rowan trees were planted in churchyards to prevent the dead from rising from their graves. Greek arrows were soaked in deadly yew, and Shakespeare’s witches in Macbeth used “Gall of goat and slips of Yew” to make their lethal brew. One bristlecone pine, at about 4,700 years old, is thought to be the oldest living plant on earth. All this and more can be found in the beautifully illustrated pages (themselves born of birch bark!) of 100 Trees.
I Just Wanna Be Yours
Lucinda John - 2016
With a promising future ahead of her, she has her life figured out, well everything except her love life. Jerecho is the father of Tyreema's child and boyfriend of seven years. He constantly struggles with being faithful and keeping his hands to himself, but still Tyreema choose to stand firmly by his side. Tyreema thinks what she has with Jetecho is as good love gets until she meets Saire. After losing his parents and girlfriend of three years to drugs Saire vows to never deal with them. Being the only kin to his baby brother Sage, Saire is forced to join forces with a Russian mob running a weapon trafficking business. Saire has it all except love, a feeling he's immune to due to the heartbreak he experienced when the love of his life chose drugs over him and the life of their unborn child. Saire is content with getting money and messing with plenty chicks until he meets Tyreema, a woman in a situation. Naria, Tyreema's best friend is sassy, beautiful, successful and heartless. Experiencing her first life changing heartbreak, she decides to treat men how they treat women. When she meets a younger man, she decides to play with his emotions until her plans backfires leaving her wanting more. This drama filled urban love story will take you on an emotional roller coaster. You'll meet broken people in need of restoration and lost souls searching to be found. Lies will be told, secrets will arise, and hearts will crumble; when love, a powerful emotion comes into play.
Seeing Trees: Discover the Extraordinary Secrets of Everyday Trees
Nancy Ross Hugo - 2011
Seeing Trees celebrates seldom seen but easily observable tree traits and invites you to watch trees with the same care and sensitivity that birdwatchers watch birds. Many people, for example, are surprised to learn that oaks and maples have flowers, much less flowers that are astonishingly beautiful when viewed up close. Focusing on widely grown trees, this captivating book describes the rewards of careful and regular tree viewing, outlines strategies for improving your observations, and describes some of the most visually interesting tree structures, including leaves, flowers, buds, leaf scars, twigs, and bark. In-depth profiles of ten familiar species—including such beloved trees as white oak, southern magnolia, white pine, and tulip poplar—show you how to recognize and understand many of their most compelling (but usually overlooked) physical features.
Mrs. Greenthumbs: How I Turned a Boring Yard Into a Glorious Garden and How You Can, Too
Cassandra Danz - 1993
A witty and informative guide for amateur gardeners shares economical, time-saving advice on how to create a beautiful backyard garden, covering everything from garden design to planting bulbs and pruning trees.
Mike McGrath's Book of Compost
Mike McGrath - 2006
And he’s never stopped studying, because he wants to give the best, most up-to-date information to the listeners of his nationally-syndicated Public Radio show, “You Bet Your Garden.” He offers the fruits of his labors in this illustrated guide that reveals why compost is the answer to virtually every garden question. McGrath explains why compost improves soil structure; why it provides the perfect amount of food for every plant; how it fights plant diseases more safely and effectively than any chemical fungicide; and how to make your own. This is a must-have on every gardener’s bookshelf!
Mycophilia: Revelations from the Weird World of Mushrooms
Eugenia Bone - 2011
Yet when it comes to fungi, culinary uses are only the tip of the iceberg. Throughout history fungus has been prized for its diverse properties—medicinal, ecological, even recreational—and hasspawned its own quirky subculture dedicated to exploring the weird biology and celebrating the unique role it plays on earth. In Mycophilia, accomplished food writer and cookbook author Eugenia Bone examines the role of fungi as exotic delicacy, curative, poison, and hallucinogen, and ultimately discovers that a greater understanding of fungi is key to facing many challenges of the 21st century.Engrossing, surprising, and packed with up-to-date science and cultural exploration, Mycophilia is part narrative and part primer for foodies, science buffs, environmental advocates, and anyone interested in learning a lot about one of the least understood and most curious organisms in nature.