Even if you have never been a farmer or a gardener, this book covers everything you need to know to get started: buying and saving seeds, starting seedlings, establishing raised beds, soil fertility practices, composting, dealing with pest and disease problems, crop rotation, farm planning, and much more. Because self-suf?ciency is the objective, subjects such as raising backyard chickens and home canning are also covered along with numerous methods for keeping costs down and production high. Materials, tools, and techniques are detailed with photographs, tables, diagrams, and illustrations.

     Annie Spiegelman's down-to-earth wit and wisdom create the perfect primer for anyone with a passion for home-grown veggies or fresh-cut flowers, no matter what their skill level, location, or resources. Includes advice on: •Learning to worship the worm and build a compost pile •Landscape designs-start small in order to create a basic plan for a plot •The secret to healthy soil (the only way to have a healthy garden) •Irrigation systems and strategies to conserve water •Proper pruning-from roses to trees •How to combine vegetables to make them thrive •How to let your garden go native and become drought tolerant •Edible landscaping and gardening in small spaces Talking Dirt is a one-stop handbook that features resources for shopping, learning, and promoting environmentally sound garden practices within local communities.

    Small-scale, self-contained worm bins can be kept indoors, in a basement or even under the kitchen sink in an apartment — making vermicomposting a great option for city dwellers and anyone who doesn’t want or can’t have an outdoor compost pile. The fully revised 35th anniversary edition features the original’s same friendly tone, with up-to-date information on the entire process, from building or purchasing a bin (readily available at garden supply stores), maintaining the worms, and harvesting the finished compost.

    Authors Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird suggest that the most far-reaching revolution of the 20th century — one that could save or destroy the planet — may come from the bottom of your garden."Almost incredible ... bristles with plenty of hard facts and astounding scientific and practical lore." —S. K. Oberbeck, Newsweek“This fascinating book roams ... over that marvelous no man's land of mystical glimmerings into the nature of science and life itself." —Henry Mitchell, Washington Post Book World“If I can't ‘get inside a plant’ or ‘feel emanations’ from a plant and don't know anyone else who can. that doesn't detract one whit from the possibility that some people can and do. . . .According to The Secret Life of Plants, plants and men do inter-relate, with plants exhibiting empathetic and spiritual relationships and showing reactions interpreted as demonstrating physical-force connections with men. As my students say, ‘hey, wow!’"—Richard M. Klein, Professor of Botany, University of Vermont (in Smithsonian)

    This excellent guide is the work of a team of highly qualified botanical and medical experts, including two of my colleagues from the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. It offers reliable, up-to-date, practical information about 72 of the most important medicinal herbs." --Andrew Weil, M.D., from the ForewordThere is a world of health and healing all around you--in your spice rack, your backyard, and on the shelves of health food and grocery stores. This informative guide is a reference you will keep at the ready, connecting 72 of the world's most common and useful medicinal herbs with the body systems they help and heal.Eight chapters focus on body systems: 1. Mental Health & the Nervous System2. Respiratory System3. Heart & Circulation4. Digestive System5. Joints, Muscles & Skin6. Urinary & Male Health7. Female Health8. Wellness & PerceptionEach chapter begins with an overview of how plants can bring health to that part of the body, with stories about traditional herbal remedies from around the world and current scientific findings on herbal remedies for specific illnesses. Then each chapter highlights nine plants, combining botanical and medical information--therapeutic uses, effectiveness, preparations, cautions, and advice, including a round-up of current science about the active ingredients in the plant. Every chapter includes a photo gallery showing how one of its herbs is cultivated and processed commercially--the story behind the contents of that bottle you buy in the store. Special features include "Over the Kitchen Counter"--quick and easy ways to use herbs in your everyday life, and time lines for every herb, showing how today's use of herbal remedies collects wisdom from the centuries and around the world. A functional appendix includes an illustrated index to all the plants in the book, an ailment-by-ailment therapeutic index, a glossary, and an index.

    From an easy edible balcony that can be set up over a weekend, to using recycled and salvage materials, growing exotic fruit and creating a futuristic salad and herb wall, "The Edible Balcony" mixes inspirational ideas with practical advice on how to achieve beautiful, flourishing outdoor areas however many floors up you maybe and however small your space. Packed with detailed planting and growing advice on all the crops featured, including the best varieties for sunny, shady, windy and dry balconies, plus how to make a self-watering container, create a salad cascade using guttering and grow beans and tomatoes on a hatstand, it is the essential guide for both beginner and experienced gardeners alike.

    Now, in this expanded edition, there's even more to learn from and enjoy. This is the first, and still the most thorough, book to detail essential practices of perennial care such as deadheading, pinching, cutting back, thinning, disbudding, and deadleafing, all of which are thoroughly explained and illustrated. More than 200 new color photographs have been added to this revised edition, showing perennials in various border situations and providing images for each of the entries in the A-to-Z encyclopedia of important perennial species. In addition, there is a new 32-page journal section, in which you can enter details, notes, and observations about the requirements and performance of perennials in your own garden. Thousands of readers have commented that The Well-Tended Perennial Garden is one of the most useful and frequently consulted books in their gardening libraries. This new, expanded edition promises to be an even more effective ally in your quest to create a beautiful, healthy, well-maintained perennial garden.

     Book 13 Ice Warrior: Bhric Tarakesh is drowning at the bottom of a scotch-filled barrel. One bad decision after another has led him to alcoholism, bar fights, alienation of his family, and, the cherry topper of his shit sundae, impregnating a female he abhors. As he spirals out of control, a cataclysmic event thrusts him into a human hospital and into the hands of a sexy doctor that sets his icy soul on fire, guaranteeing his world will never be the same. Book 14 Fire Warrior: Breslin Tarakesh isn’t your typical Vampire Princess. She loves designer clothes and bling, but is at home in her fighting leathers with her sais in hand. Court politics are not her thing and she eschews everything to do with the simpering suck-ups that want to use her family to gain favor. She’s meant for more than elaborate crowns and parties. She wasn’t given the power to wield fire simply to light candles. She prefers frying demons instead. As the only female Dark Warrior in the Seattle compound, she is accustomed to dealing with males and their quirks. If only centuries of living with flirtatious males prepared her for meeting her Fated Mate. She has never dreamed of being wooed with hearts and flowers, but she imagined her mate would be loyal and true. Enter her sexy fire demon and her survival hangs by a singed thread. Book 15 Ramiel: Ramiel , a newly-appointed Angel of Retribution, is out for his pound of flesh...demon flesh. When his charge Isobel is kidnapped and taken to the Underworld he is determined to get her back, no matter the cost. Even ally with a Fallen Angel, the antithesis of everything he fights for. Their mission places them in the Inner Circles of Hell and pulls Rami to the razor's edge of passion with Zakara. If the challenges of the Underworld don't destroy him, succumbing to her seductive touch could be his fatal mistake. Book 16 Rivaled Warrior: Identical twins share a special bond, and vampires Cade and Cael are no exception. The two are rarely seen apart, and their closeness is unmistakable. As Dark Warriors, their success on the battlefield is attributed to their ability to anticipate each other's moves, as well as, a telepathic connection. The duo defeats their enemies with their collaborative skill. They are invaluable to the Tehrex Realm, protecting innocent humans and supernaturals from the archdemons plaguing their world. As the demons continue to terrorize supernatural children, Cade and Cael must rely on their strong connection to remain vigilante. That is, until the sexy harpy, Brianne, swoops into their lives, threatening to shred their brotherhood, and hearts, to pieces.

    This special boxed set offers the first three full-length novels in the series. Each book is filled with Barbara Freethy's unique blend of page-turning romance, family and mystery—unforgettable stories that will touch your heart. ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS: The second oldest of the Callaway clan, Aiden Callaway veered from the family tradition of urban firefighting and became a smokejumper, never questioning his choice until the job took the life of his friend, Kyle, and left Aiden with injuries and fractured memories. Everyone blames Aiden for what happened, but he doesn't remember, nor is he sure he wants to remember. The truth may clear Aiden of blame but destroy Kyle's reputation and hurt the people he left behind. 
 Aiden seeks help from an unlikely ally. Sara had always been untouchable, sweet, innocent, his sister's best friend, and the girl next door. But one reckless night in their youth took their relationship to a new level. Sara has never forgiven or forgotten the way Aiden brought it crashing down, but she's no longer that girl with the crazy crush. She's a woman in search of her own truth. The sparks between Aiden and Sara have been smoldering for a very long time. Sara is afraid to take another chance on a man who broke her heart, and Aiden knows better than anyone how dangerous an intense fire can be. As teenagers they weren't ready for each other. Are they ready now? SO THIS IS LOVE: Emma Callaway, a hot fire investigator clashes with Max Harrison, a cool homicide detective in SO THIS IS LOVE, the second book in the Callaway Series. For Max Harrison, love seduces and then destroys. His brother went to prison for love. His father left his family for love. And Max is determined not to follow in their footsteps, until he meets Emma… Emma runs into burning buildings without an ounce of fear and embraces life as if every day is a new adventure. But while she's fearless on the job, Emma is a coward when it comes to love. Betrayed by an ex-boyfriend, Emma has no intention of putting her heart on the line again, until she meets Max… As the fires around the city rage, the heat between them ignites in a blaze of passion that's far more dangerous. Will it destroy them or will they finally get everything they ever wanted… FALLING FOR A STRANGER Ria is as sexy and sultry as a warm tropical night and as beautifully dangerous as the island drinks she serves at the beachside bar on Isla de los Suenos -- The Island of Dreams. But Ria is not as carefree as she appears, and the pretense is wearing her down. One night she risks everything to escape from reality. Drew Callaway is a former Navy pilot looking for his own escape from a life that has seen too much tragedy. Meeting Ria is like embracing the sun, and their single night together is life-changing. But the dream quickly fades when Ria is killed in a tragic accident at sea. Months later, thousands of miles away from where they first met, Drew sees a woman who looks just like Ria. She claims her name is Tory, and that they've never met before, but he can see that she's in trouble, and he can't walk away. He's going to save her whether she wants it or not. Drew isn't afraid of a little danger, but can he risk losing his heart to a beautiful stranger? Also Available in the Callaway Series: Between Now and Forever (#4) Nobody But You (A Callaway Wedding Novella) All A Heart Needs (#5) That Summer Night (#6) W

    But now that the $10 million bounty has been removed from the beautiful but deadly Russian assassin’s head, she not only refuses to come out of hiding, she refuses to have anything to do with him.Shiver has always put MI6 first, even before his family, who, with his father on his deathbed, is insisting he return to England and fulfill his duty as marquess to take over as Duke of Bedfordshire when his father dies.But the woman he loves isn’t in England. He isn’t sure where she is, but he has to find her and convince her to spend her life with him.It isn’t just that Orina Kuznetsov is afraid that United Russia won’t hold up their end of the bargain, there’s another secret Shiver can never find out and that’s what keeps her from giving in to him.

    Stephanie Tourles shows you how to use fruit, flowers, herbs, and minerals to craft healthy products that promote radiant skin, strong nails, shiny hair, and an elevated mood. Pamper yourself from head to toe with products like Strawberry Cleanser, Pineapple Sunflower Scrub, and Almond Rose Body Lotion. Gentle on your skin and free of harsh chemicals found in commercial products, you’ll want to indulge yourself over and over with these luxuriously aromatic bath blends, face masks, and body scrubs.

    It’s written with country lovers in mind—even those who currently live in the city. Whether you live in the city, the suburbs, or even the wilderness, there is plenty you can do to improve your life from a green perspective. Got sunlight? Start container gardening. With a few plants, fresh tomatoes, which then become canned tomato sauce, are a real option. Reduce electricity use by eating dinner by candlelight (using homemade candles, of course). Learn to use rainwater to augment water supplies. Make your own soap and hand lotion. Consider keeping chickens for the eggs. From what to eat to supporting sustainable restaurants to avoiding dry cleaning, this book offers information on anything a homesteader needs—and more.

    35,000 first printing.

    The Mediterranean approach to food is a way of eating that includes balanced, whole foods, and is a way of planning meals and snacks that take into account seasonal products. You can find most foods at your local grocery store and farmers’ markets.

    She shares the failures she experienced when using today's overly prescribed high-carb, low-fat (and also sugar-laden) diets and details how the ketogenic diet helped her lose more than 100 pounds! Kristie hopes that her story will inspire you to take charge of your own life and find your unique path to wellness. With her approachable and sensible philosophy and techniques, you too can use the keto template to overcome challenges, develop a truly healthy mindset, and shed unwanted pounds. Keto Living Day by Day will help you banish your fear of eating fat and embrace a scientifically proven and highly effective nutritional path. Keto Living Day by Day offers a real-world approach to low-carb/keto dieting. Kristie walks you through every step, starting with a simple and easy-to-understand breakdown of the nutritional science behind keto. She provides examples to match many of the scenarios that people encounter when starting a ketogenic diet and offers solutions for each, enabling you to find the most successful path for your needs. Section two of the book features a daily guide to help you make the keto way your way. Starting on day 1, Kristie shows you how to understand the challenges involved in making the transition, navigate around obstacles, and track your progress. She also offers tips for staying on course in social settings and when dining out, as well as foolproof ways to face down temptations. In addition, Keto Living Day by Day features a detailed preparation guide that includes advice on stocking your pantry with keto essentials and a day-by-day guide to implementing a ketogenic lifestyle. For maximum success, Kristie brings you her best tips for meal planning and preparation along with budget-friendly shopping guidelines. Keto Living Day by Day concludes with more than 130 easy-to-love keto recipes that Kristie has used to nourish herself, her family, and her friends. These recipes are easy to follow and are designed for people who enjoy mouthwatering meals but want to minimize time spent in the kitchen. The ingredients used in the recipes are readily available; most can be found at your local grocery store. Sample recipes include: Breakfast Pizza Broccoli Cheddar Ranch Chicken Soup Savory Ribs Lemon Chicken Moo Goo Gai Pan Pepper Steak Swedish Meatballs in Gravy Vanilla Coffee Creamer Mocha Latte Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream Keto Living Day by Day not only details Kristie’s inspiring journey, but also shows you how you can learn from her experience and use the keto template to lose weight and rediscover health.