The National Gardener

In this eloquent plea for compassion and respect for all species, journalist and gardener Nancy Lawson describes why and how to welcome wildlife to our backyards. Through engaging anecdotes and inspired advice, profiles of home gardeners throughout the country, and interviews with scientists and horticulturalists, Lawson applies the broader lessons of ecology to our own outdoor spaces. Detailed chapters address planting for wildlife by choosing native species; providing habitats that shelter baby animals, as well as birds, bees, and butterflies; creating safe zones in the garden; cohabiting with creatures often regarded as pests; letting nature be your garden designer; and encouraging natural processes and evolution in the garden. The Humane Gardener fills a unique niche in describing simple principles for both attracting wildlife and peacefully resolving conflicts with all the creatures that share our world.

The Gardener's Problem Solver tackles a wide range of gardening topics, from planting seedlings to how to kill slugs and other pests. Each of these 500 most-commonly asked questions is answered by a panel of experts from the National Gardening Association, and featured boxes provide additional information. For ease of reference, the questions are split among four main chapters-The Basics, Landscape Gardening, Flower Gardening, and Vegetable Gardening-and then further subdivided into subsections such as Climate and Weather, Composting, Lawns and Ground Covers, Roses, Bulbs, Fruits, and Herbs. Find the answers to such questions like: What are heirloom vegetables? What kind of creatures should be found in the compost bin? And do they help the compost process? What are the best vegetables to grow in containers? How do I prune my roses? How do roses respond to light and heavy pruning? Produced in partnership with the National Gardening Association, this book also contains climatic-zone maps showing rainfall and temperature worldwide, a detailed glossary, and an extensive index. This detailed and extensive problem-solving volume is an asset to any gardening home library.