The City Gardener S Handbook

Explains how would-be gardeners can make the most of available space, offering helpful tips on coping with the special problems of small urban gardens.

In Field Guide to Urban Gardening, author Kevin Espiritu of Epic Gardening shares the basics of growing plants, offers tips on how to choose the right urban gardening method, and troubleshoots the most common problems you’ll encounter. If you think it’s impossible to grow your own food because you don’t have a large yard or you live in the city…think again. There is a plethora of urban gardening options to create beautiful, productive edible gardens no matter where you live. The key to succeeding as an urban gardener is to choose the method(s) that make sense for your unique living situation and then give your plants what they need to thrive. Kevin helps you do just that. But he doesn’t stop there. He also provides in-depth garden plans, from upcycled DIY projects and intensive hydroponic systems to beautiful and functional raised beds. Urban gardening is a real, growing, and important movement in today’s world. This fact-packed book is your roadmap to get growing today. Urban gardening techniques featured include: Container Gardening Raised Beds Indoor Edibles Balconies and Rooftops Hydroponics

Explains how would-be gardeners can make the most of available space, offering helpful tips on coping with the special problems of small urban gardens

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener determined to increase crop yields or starting your very first vegetable garden, the Week-by-Week Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook will help you manage your schedule and prioritize what’s important. Detailed weekly to-do lists break gardening down into simple and manageable tasks so that you always know what needs to be done and when to do it, from starting seeds and planting strawberries to checking for tomato hornworms and harvesting carrots. Enjoy a bountiful harvest with this organized and stress-free approach to gardening.

Dive into the flourishing world of urban greenery with "The Urban Gardener's Handbook" – your comprehensive guide to transforming any small space into a thriving, sustainable garden. Whether you have a cozy balcony, a sunny windowsill, or just a little corner in your kitchen, this eBook provides you with an abundance of inspiration and practical advice to embark on your gardening journey. Can you imagine the satisfaction of plucking fresh herbs right from your windowsill as you cook or harvesting vegetables from your very own rooftop garden? "The Urban Gardener's Handbook" will show you how, in clear, easy-to-follow steps. From understanding the microclimate of your urban oasis to learning how to cultivate edible landscapes with finesse and creativity, each chapter in this guide opens up new possibilities for the modern city dweller keen to delve into gardening. You'll delve deeply into the philosophy of small-space gardening, appreciating the intricacies of your unique urban environment. Learn to analyze sunlight, maximize vertical space, and master container gardening to create a lush retreat in the heart of the city. With dedicated sections on soil health, homemade compost solutions, and an entire chapter on clever container strategies, you're set to create a flourishing garden no matter the size of your space. Need to find eco-friendly techniques for watering or pest control? "The Urban Gardener's Handbook" covers that too! It equips you with the know-how for drip irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting, companion planting, and encourages beneficial insects in your garden. You'll even find sage advice on selecting the perfect plants for your climate, planning your seasonal garden activities, and embracing community and social aspects of urban gardening. Whether you're planning to grow leafy greens in limited spaces, propagate herbs for your culinary adventures, or entice pollinators with a vibrant selection of flowers, this eBook has you covered for every season. You’ll learn how to harvest and store your produce for maximum freshness, extend your gardening into the colder months, and join a blossoming community of city gardeners forging a greener, more sustainable path. "The Urban Gardener's Handbook" isn't just a source of gardening wisdom; it's a call to action. It's a pledge to reclaim, cultivate, and revel in nature's bounty, no matter where you are. So roll up your sleeves and prepare to transform your urban dwelling into a testament to green growth and harmony – your garden awaits!

Free space for the city gardener might be no more than a cramped patio, balcony, rooftop, windowsill, hanging rafter, dark cabinet, garage, or storage area, but no space is too small or too dark to raise food. With this book as a guide, people living in apartments, condominiums, townhouses, and single-family homes will be able to grow up to 20 percent of their own fresh food using a combination of traditional gardening methods and space-saving techniques such as reflected lighting and container "terracing." Those with access to yards can produce even more. Author R. J. Ruppenthal worked on an organic vegetable farm in his youth, but his expertise in urban and indoor gardening has been hard-won through years of trial-and-error experience. In the small city homes where he has lived, often with no more than a balcony, windowsill, and countertop for gardening, Ruppenthal and his family have been able to eat at least some homegrown food 365 days per year.

“Gardeners just starting out will earn a sense of accomplishment and a good dose of knowledge.” —Booklist Every new gardener has to start somewhere—and the process can be intimidating. Knowing when and what to plant, how to care for the plants once they’re in the ground, and how to keep pests and diseases away is a lot to take on. Luckily, Daryl Beyers—an expert from the New York Botanical Garden—has written what will be a go-to resource for decades to come. The New Gardener’s Handbook is a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of gardening, based on the introductory gardening class that Beyers teaches at NYBG. Readers will learn about soil, plant selection, propagation, planting and mulching, watering and feeding, pruning, and weeds, pests, and diseases. The information applies to both ornamental and edible plants. Featuring inspiring photography and helpful illustrations, The New Gardener’s Handbook gives home gardeners a foundation upon which they can grow, and encourages them to apply the lessons they’ve learned in an intuitive, natural way.