The Giant Book On Growing Trees And Bushes

Table of Contents Introduction Which Fruit to Grow? Fruit Production Charts Cold Hardiness zones Apples Citrus fruits Buying the Right Trees and Bushes Soil Conditions Nitrogen Fixing Crops Planning your garden Natural Weedkillers General Planting Supporting Your Fruit Trees Bird Protection Frost Protection Planting Fruit Trees Against Walls What Are Espaliers? Keeping Your Bushes and Trees Healthy Fertilizers and pesticides – Cow Manure – the Best Organic Fertilizer/Compost Base John Innes Compost Basic Healthy Compost Mixtures How to Make Leaf Compost Natural Pesticides Neem Pesticide Preparing Neem seeds Chilis Tobacco Bougainvillea Leaves Fungicides for Soil Onion – Garlic Antifungal Solution Papaya Cure – Using Cow Manure Ash as a Pesticide Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms in Plants Spraying Garden Pests Pollination Fruit Plant Propagation Harvesting your fruit EVERGREENS AND SHRUBS Planning Your Garden – Evergreens for Screens Evergreens – Planting Tips Recognizing the “Right” Evergreen Why Would Not I Choose a Conifer Tips for Planting Evergreens Choice of Evergreens Arbutus – The Strawberry Tree –Arbutus menziesii Camellia Heath Plants – Erica Gorse– Ulex Bottlebrush – Callistemon Magnolias Daphne – the Spurge Laurel Family Box [Buxus] Mimosa Lavender – Lavandula Holly – [Ilex] “Gold” and “Silver” Hollies – Rhododendrons CONIFERS Growing Conifers Tips before Choosing Your Conifers The Scots Pine [Pinus species] Growing a Scots Pine Successfully Silver [white] Firs The Douglas Fir Spruce [Picea] Cypress – Cupressus Junipers Cedars Planting Your Conifers Conclusion Author Bio Publisher Introduction When Mother Nature blessed the new born earth with life forms milleniums ago, the diversity of one celled creatures took up different lines of evolution due to climatic changes and mutations. That is when plant life evolved along with animal life. And that is how the surface of the earth was covered with lush fruitful vegetation, which flourished and evolved in different climates. As time went by, climatic changes also changed the nature and the appearance of these plants. From multicelled algae and fungi, they became huge multicelled giant trees, like the Sequoia, which are remnants of those glorious days of giant Green trees gone by. And soon man found out that trees were very useful to give him shelter, to give him food, and to provide him with essential fruit, leaves, and seeds to supplement his diet. That was because he was imitating the animals around him. They nibbled at leaves, he did the same thing. Sometimes he ended up with a tummy ache. Sometimes the animals ended up sick while he was left hale and hearty. But down the ages, and through lots of trial and error, he found out that every single plant out there could be put into use, even those plants we consider weeds today. The mythological and historical hanging Gardens of Babylon, which were supposed to have been built by Nebuchadnezzar, but in actuality were built by Sennacherib in Nineveh, Assyria, about 300 km away from Babylon. These were lush with green trees from all over the world. And historians who are not really bothered about historic authenticity and the names of kings, did not bother much about the locality or the creator of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. First-hand accounts of that time were not available, and when Babylon conquered Assyria, they called it the new Babylon. And so centuries later historians wrote about the wonders of marvelous trees and green vegetation, growing in Babylon. So that is the reason why since ancient times, trees, especially fruit trees have been an important part of cultured and civilized landscaping. They were and are planted in gardens for the pleasure of the general public or for your own private enjoyment.

Table of Contents Introduction Which Fruit to Grow? Fruit Production Charts Cold Hardiness zones Apples Citrus fruits Buying the Right Trees and Bushes Soil Conditions Nitrogen Fixing Crops Planning your garden Natural Weedkillers General Planting Supporting Your Fruit Trees Bird Protection Frost Protection Planting Fruit Trees Against Walls What Are Espaliers? Keeping Your Bushes and Trees Healthy Fertilizers and pesticides – Cow Manure – the Best Organic Fertilizer/Compost Base John Innes Compost Basic Healthy Compost Mixtures How to Make Leaf Compost Natural Pesticides Neem Pesticide Preparing Neem seeds Chilis Tobacco Bougainvillea Leaves Fungicides for Soil Onion – Garlic Antifungal Solution Papaya Cure – Using Cow Manure Ash as a Pesticide Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms in Plants Spraying Garden Pests Pollination Fruit Plant Propagation Harvesting your fruit EVERGREENS AND SHRUBS Planning Your Garden – Evergreens for Screens Evergreens – Planting Tips Recognizing the “Right” Evergreen Why Would Not I Choose a Conifer Tips for Planting Evergreens Choice of Evergreens Arbutus – The Strawberry Tree –Arbutus menziesii Camellia Heath Plants – Erica Gorse– Ulex Bottlebrush – Callistemon Magnolias Daphne – the Spurge Laurel Family Box [Buxus] Mimosa Lavender – Lavandula Holly – [Ilex] “Gold” and “Silver” Hollies – Rhododendrons CONIFERS Growing Conifers Tips before Choosing Your Conifers The Scots Pine [Pinus species] Growing a Scots Pine Successfully Silver [white] Firs The Douglas Fir Spruce [Picea] Cypress – Cupressus Junipers Cedars Planting Your Conifers Conclusion Author Bio Publisher Introduction When Mother Nature blessed the new born earth with life forms milleniums ago, the diversity of one celled creatures took up different lines of evolution due to climatic changes and mutations. That is when plant life evolved along with animal life. And that is how the surface of the earth was covered with lush fruitful vegetation, which flourished and evolved in different climates. As time went by, climatic changes also changed the nature and the appearance of these plants. From multicelled algae and fungi, they became huge multicelled giant trees, like the Sequoia, which are remnants of those glorious days of giant Green trees gone by. And soon man found out that trees were very useful to give him shelter, to give him food, and to provide him with essential fruit, leaves, and seeds to supplement his diet. That was because he was imitating the animals around him. They nibbled at leaves, he did the same thing. Sometimes he ended up with a tummy ache. Sometimes the animals ended up sick while he was left hale and hearty. But down the ages, and through lots of trial and error, he found out that every single plant out there could be put into use, even those plants we consider weeds today. The mythological and historical hanging Gardens of Babylon, which were supposed to have been built by Nebuchadnezzar, but in actuality were built by Sennacherib in Nineveh, Assyria, about 300 km away from Babylon. These were lush with green trees from all over the world. And historians who are not really bothered about historic authenticity and the names of kings, did not bother much about the locality or the creator of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. First-hand accounts of that time were not available, and when Babylon conquered Assyria, they called it the new Babylon. And so centuries later historians wrote about the wonders of marvelous trees and green vegetation, growing in Babylon. So that is the reason why since ancient times, trees, especially fruit trees have been an important part of cultured and civilized landscaping. They were and are planted in gardens for the pleasure of the general public or for your own private enjoyment.

Table of Contents Introduction Which Fruit to Grow? Fruit Production Charts Cold Hardiness zones Buying the Right Trees and Bushes Soil Conditions Nitrogen Fixing Crops Planning your garden Natural Weedkillers General Planting Supporting Your Fruit Trees Bird Protection Frost Protection Planting Fruit Trees against Walls What Are Espaliers? Keeping Your Bushes and Trees Healthy Fertilizers and pesticides – Cow Manure – the Best Organic Fertilizer/Compost Base John Innes Compost Basic Healthy Compost Mixtures How to Make Leaf Compost Natural Pesticides Neem Pesticide Preparing Neem seeds Chilis Tobacco Bougainvillea Leaves Fungicides for Soil Onion – Garlic Antifungal Solution Papaya Cure – Using Cow Manure Ash as a Pesticide Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms in Plants Spraying Garden Pests Pollination Fruit Plant Propagation Harvesting your fruit APPLES Growing Apples Time to plant Choosing the Right Tree Planting Tips Feeding Your Trees Pruning an Apple Tree Root Pruning and Ringing Ringing Popular Varieties of Apples Preserving and Storing Apples Pests and Diseases Apples in Cuisine Traditional Applesauce Traditional Apple Cake Traditional Dutch Schnitz Un Knepp – Apples and Buttons These are made by sifting together the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper. Appendix How to Make Traditional Apple Butter Conclusion CHERRIES Growing Cherries Budding Choosing the Right Plants Best Varieties of Cherries Maintenance of Cherry Trees Pruning Your Cherry Tree Root pruning Sour Cherries Planting Sour Cherries Feeding Sour Cherries Pruning of Sour Cherries Mulch cultivation Rejuvenating Cherries Diseases and Pests Cherries in Cuisine Two-Step Cherry Pudding Conclusion CUCURBITAS (MELONS) Cucumbers Soil Requirements Planting Cucumbers Planting in “Hills” Harvesting Pumpkins Pumpkins Sowing Harvesting Pumpkin Curing and Storage Watermelons Soil Requirements and Climate Watermelon Planting Harvesting Muskmelons Paper Plant Protectors Planting Conclusion Strawberries Planting Your Strawberries Mulching Strawberries. Propagation Feeding Strawberries Protecting Your Strawberries. Growing Strawberries in Barrels Citrus fruits Sweet Oranges Blood oranges Growing Oranges Planting Oranges From Seeds Propagation of the Tree How Far Should You Plant Trees? Orange planting in a Nutshell. Pruning Pruning for Rejuvenation Flowers and Fruit Setting How to Get a Good Harvest Uses of the Rind Storing of Oranges Enemies of Oranges Conclusion Natural Remedies Cures by Oranges Pain in the chest – Constipation Nausea Swelling in Your Belly? Tomatoes Sowing of Seeds OLIVES Growing Olives Olive Propagation Popular Varieties Table and Mill Olives Soil Conditions Soil Moisture Pruning Harvesting of the Fruit Olives for Taste Extracting Olive Oil Conclusion STRAWBERRIES Planting Strawberries Straw and Sedge Peat Mulch Selecting the Right Plants Feeding Your Plants Protecting Your Strawberries Strawberry Pests and Diseases Aphids – Fungi and Viruses – Soil pests – Popular Strawberry Varieties Remontant Strawberries Climbing Strawberries – Innovative Ways of Growing Strawberries Polythene Covered Frames Traditional Gardening Soil Mix The Best Organic Fertilizer/Compost Base Conclusion Author Bio Publisher Introduction When Mother Nature blessed the new born earth with life forms milleniums ago, the diversity of one celled creatures took up different lines of evolution due to climatic changes and mutations. That is when plant life evolved along with animal life. And that is how the surface of the earth was covered with lush fruitful vegetation, which flourished and evolved in different climates.

Provides information on growing native trees, vines, and shrubs from seeds, covering such topics as how to extract a seed, treating and germinating a seed, growth rate, and transplanting.

The secret world of trees is revealed in this beautiful and absorbing guide to the giants of the plant world. Trees occur naturally throughout the world and have been a part of human history almost as long as humans have existed. Used for shelter, tools, fuel, and food, they also help supply the atmosphere with oxygen and form astonishingly diverse ecosystems, as well as some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. Now the intricate world of leafy woodlands and abundant rainforests is revealed in this extensive visual guide to trees, exploring their key scientific traits and their ecological importance, as well as their enduring significance in human history and culture. From ancient oaks and great redwoods to lush banyans and imposing kapoks, The Tree Book reveals the anatomy, behaviors, and beauty of these incredible plants and habitats in detail. Combining natural history and a scientific overview with a wider look at the history, uses, symbolism, and mythology of trees, this book is a new kind of guide to these fascinating organisms.

From the author of The Wisdom of Trees, an informative and practical guide to tree planting: including guidance on which trees to plant and where; how to plant, propagate and care for your trees; advice on the suitability and virtues of particular native trees (from oak to alder and from beech to blackthorn); amplified by details of how trees grow in nature and the stories of some famous tree planters. A glossary of websites, nurseries, conservation and other organisations completes the volume.

Table of Contents Introduction Which Fruit to Grow? Fruit Production Charts Cold Hardiness zones Buying the Right Trees and Bushes Soil Conditions Nitrogen Fixing Crops Planning your garden Natural Weedkillers General Planting Supporting Your Fruit Trees Bird Protection Frost Protection Planting Fruit Trees against Walls What Are Espaliers? Keeping Your Bushes and Trees Healthy Fertilizers and pesticides – Cow Manure – the Best Organic Fertilizer/Compost Base John Innes Compost Basic Healthy Compost Mixtures How to Make Leaf Compost Natural Pesticides Neem Pesticide Preparing Neem seeds Chilis Tobacco Bougainvillea Leaves Fungicides for Soil Onion – Garlic Antifungal Solution Papaya Cure – Using Cow Manure Ash as a Pesticide Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms in Plants Spraying Garden Pests Pollination Fruit Plant Propagation Harvesting your fruit APPLES Growing Apples Time to plant Choosing the Right Tree Planting Tips Feeding Your Trees Pruning an Apple Tree Root Pruning and Ringing Ringing Popular Varieties of Apples Preserving and Storing Apples Pests and Diseases Apples in Cuisine Traditional Applesauce Traditional Apple Cake Traditional Dutch Schnitz Un Knepp – Apples and Buttons These are made by sifting together the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper. Appendix How to Make Traditional Apple Butter Conclusion CHERRIES Growing Cherries Budding Choosing the Right Plants Best Varieties of Cherries Maintenance of Cherry Trees Pruning Your Cherry Tree Root pruning Sour Cherries Planting Sour Cherries Feeding Sour Cherries Pruning of Sour Cherries Mulch cultivation Rejuvenating Cherries Diseases and Pests Cherries in Cuisine Two-Step Cherry Pudding Conclusion CUCURBITAS (MELONS) Cucumbers Soil Requirements Planting Cucumbers Planting in “Hills” Harvesting Pumpkins Pumpkins Sowing Harvesting Pumpkin Curing and Storage Watermelons Soil Requirements and Climate Watermelon Planting Harvesting Muskmelons Paper Plant Protectors Planting Conclusion Strawberries Planting Your Strawberries Mulching Strawberries. Propagation Feeding Strawberries Protecting Your Strawberries. Growing Strawberries in Barrels Citrus fruits Sweet Oranges Blood oranges Growing Oranges Planting Oranges From Seeds Propagation of the Tree How Far Should You Plant Trees? Orange planting in a Nutshell. Pruning Pruning for Rejuvenation Flowers and Fruit Setting How to Get a Good Harvest Uses of the Rind Storing of Oranges Enemies of Oranges Conclusion Natural Remedies Cures by Oranges Pain in the chest – Constipation Nausea Swelling in Your Belly? Tomatoes Sowing of Seeds OLIVES Growing Olives Olive Propagation Popular Varieties Table and Mill Olives Soil Conditions Soil Moisture Pruning Harvesting of the Fruit Olives for Taste Extracting Olive Oil Conclusion STRAWBERRIES Planting Strawberries Straw and Sedge Peat Mulch Selecting the Right Plants Feeding Your Plants Protecting Your Strawberries Strawberry Pests and Diseases Aphids – Fungi and Viruses – Soil pests – Popular Strawberry Varieties Remontant Strawberries Climbing Strawberries – Innovative Ways of Growing Strawberries Polythene Covered Frames Traditional Gardening Soil Mix The Best Organic Fertilizer/Compost Base Conclusion Author Bio Publisher Introduction When Mother Nature blessed the new born earth with life forms milleniums ago, the diversity of one celled creatures took up different lines of evolution due to climatic changes and mutations. That is when plant life evolved along with animal life. And that is how the surface of the earth was covered with lush fruitful vegetation, which flourished and evolved in different climates.

Table of Contents Introduction Choosing the Right Soil Soil Color and Fertility Humus Preparation of the Soil Best Time for Seed Sowing The Thinning Process Staking Your Annuals Why Mulch? Cultivation and Maintenance Watering your Plants List of Hardy annuals Half Hardy Annuals Annuals Suitable for Cutting Purposes – Annuals for autumn blooming – Half Hardy Annuals for Edging Your Border Knowing More about Biennials Sowing the seeds Preparing the Ground List of Popular Biennials Choosing the Plants Permanent Plants Bougainvillea Hibiscus Cannas Asters The Jasmine Family and Plumeria Lilies Sowing Time Summer Plants Chrysanthemums Winter Plants Sweetpeas Phlox Hollyhocks Sunflowers Gladiolus Perennial Plants Dianthus Cosmos Periwinkles- Vinca Petunias Useful Gardening Tips Appendix Propagation through Buds Preparing a bud Grafting Benefits Wedge Grafting Grafting Wax Solutions Grafting Wax Orchids Collecting Orchids Natural Conditions Division of Species Terrestrial orchids – Epiphytic Orchids – Cultivation of Orchids Cultivation of Orchids at High Altitudes Propagation of Orchids Blossoming Orchids Making an Orchid House Types of Popular Orchids Varieties Dendrobium Epidendrum Cattleya Bletia Vanda Phalaenopsis Vanilla Odontoglossum Cypripedium – Lady Slipper Orchid genus Appendix Why Re-Pot a Plant Roses How To Grow Roses Types and Varieties of Roses Preparation of the Soil Planting Why Stake Your Roses Organic Manure for Roses Pruning Your Roses First pruning Hard pruning. Subsequent Pruning – Other Types of Roses Ramblers Climbing HTs Rose Standards Weeping Standards Floribundas General Management of Rose Plants Disbudding Roses Rose Pests and Diseases Appendix How to Make Rose Water How to Make a Rose Potpourri Rhododendrons Knowing More about Azaleas Ghent Azaleas Cultivation of Rhododendrons Soil for Your Rhododendrons Shade and Shelter for Your Rhododendrons Effect of Wind and Sun So How Do You Get the Best Shade for Your Rhododendrons? Shade Plants to Avoid Best Sheltering Plants Pests and Diseases Rhododendron Types and Hybrids Flower Borders Planning a Border Preparing Your Border Lime Application Manuring General Cultivation Tips Planting of Shrubs List of Different Color Plants Multicolored Plants Borders of Just One Color Getting a Period Border Narrow Borders Aspect Borders General Herbaceous Borders Choosing the Right Background Staking and Supports Growing a Shrub Border Using Bulbs in Your Border Bulb Selection Planting Your Bulbs Border Bulbs – Hyacinth and Crocus Management of your Borders Traditional Control of Slugs Author Bio Publisher Introduction There are far too many people out there who are under the impression that you cannot have a beautiful garden without spending huge amounts of money. That is so not true. A little bit of planning and this fallacy is going to fall to pieces by the wayside. Those who are grown annuals for years are going to give this statement the lie gladly. Their initial investment must have been just a packet of seeds. The next year, the plants were grown from the seeds collected from the previous years’ crop. Do not forget that the life of an annual is limited to just 12 months and so you must not expect them to grow up and bloom again the next year, unless of course you allowed the seeds to lie in the bed without collecting them. That is when they are going to bloom up just like weeds with a little bit of rain, and with the coming of the spring. One of the great advantages of annuals is that they are quite easy to grow and flourish in your garden over a long period. The most common are well known to even amateur gardeners who can recognize a cornflower, nasturtiums, Virginia stock and Candytuft. These are very beautiful in themselves, but every gardener is growing them in his garden.