» gardener How to create flower, vegetable, herb and fruit gardens using completely natural techniques lavelleDedication ‘This book is dedicated to Mike Lavelle who would have loved to have seen this book. sedition is published by Southwater Southwater isan impeint of Anness Publishing Led Hermes House 88-89 Blackfniars Road, London SE1 SHA. tel. 0207401 2077; fax 0207633 9499 ew:southwaterbooks.com info@anness.com © Anness Publishing Led 2004 UK agent: The Manning Partnership Ltd sel. 01225 478444; faxc01225 478440, sales@manning-parmership.co.uk UK distributor: Grantham Book Services Lid rel. 01476 541080, orders@gbs.tbs-Id-co. Noxth American agens/distibutor: National Book Network, rel, 301 459 3366 fax 301 429 5746; www.nbnbooks.com Australian agene/dstiburor: Pan Macmillan Australia tel. 1300 135 113; fax 1300 135 103 customer service@macmillan.com.au New Zealand agent/distributor: David Bateman Led tel (09) 415 7664; fax (09)415 8892 Allrights reserved. No partof tis publication may be ‘reproduced, stored ina retrieval system, or transmuted inany way or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the Prior wntten permission ofthecopyright holder A CIP catalogue record for this book Ssavailable from the British Library. Publisher: Joanna Lorenz Editorial Dizector: Judith Simons Project Editor: Felicity Forster Designer: Lisa Tai Jacket design: Balley Design Associates Additional text: Richard Bid and Jonathan Edwards Additional photography: Jonathan Buckley and Michelle Garret. Illuserator: Liz Pepperell Production Contzoller: Darren Price ‘Previously published as pare of ger volume, Orgone Candoing 10987654321 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION What is Organic Gardening? Why Go Organic? Understanding Your Garden ‘The Organic Cycle SOIL AND SOIL MANAGEMENT ‘Types of Soil Soil Structure Soil Chemistry Digging and Cultivation No-Dig Gardening Soil Conditioners Making Garden Compost Green Manures BASIC TECHNIQUES ‘Weeding and Weed Control Watering Feeding Basic Pruning Plant Propagation The Greenhouse Environment Greenhouse Cultivation Cold Frames and Cloches PLANT HEALTH Why Plants Get Sick Preventing Problems Plant Pests. Plant Diseases Plant Disorders Beneficial Predators Other Control Methods 10 12 14 16 18, 20 22 24 26 28 32 34 36 38. 40 a2 45 48. S4 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74THE ORNAMENTAL GARDEN The Garden Framework Ornamental Lawns Lawn Maintenance Woody Plants Flowers for Beds and Borders Beds and Borders Containers THE WILDLIFE GARDEN What is a Wildlife Garden? Woodland Gardens Wild Flower Lawns Wildlife Ponds Providing Shelter Plants to Attract Wildlife THE KITCHEN GARDEN Planning a Kitchen Garden Crop Varieties Crop Rotation Growing Methods Companion Planting, Making the Most of Your Space Sowing in the Open Sowing Under Glass Thinning and Transplanting Aftercare Growing Herbs Harvesting and Storing Herbs Growing Fruit Trees and Bushes Supporting Fruit Trees and Shrubs Protecting Fruit Pruning Fruit Trees and Shrubs Harvesting and Storing Fruit CALENDAR OF CARE ‘The Ornamental Garden ‘The Wildlife Garden ‘The Kitchen Garden Index Acknowledgements