The interesting thing about herbal medicine is that a lot of the time, things many people have grown to consider weeds are actually friends in disguise. Just because something is abundant and grows rapidly or well in unspecific terrain doesn't mean that it should be viewed as a burden. Ancient herbal plants have been growing this way for centuries!

"The complete guide to growing wildflowers and other native plants. An encyclopedia of 300 plants, fully illustrated with 281 color photographs"--Cover subtitle.

The Natural Gardener is based on the BBC television series "The Flying Gardener," in which Chris Beardshaw looks at a variety of plants in their different habitats, revealing how nature achieves what the gardener strives for. He demonstrates how a knowledge of local conditions and climate can aid gardeners in selecting and cultivating plants for their own settings. He then identifies 5 types of garden, exploring each in detail, including practical information on the ideal situation, plants for each garden type, and tips on maintenance throughout the year. Lavishly illustrated with color photos, The Natural Gardener shows that the best gardeners are those who understand the importance of the conditions in which they work--and that the best teacher is nature itself.

Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening has been the go-to resource for gardeners for more than 50 years—and the best tool novices can buy to start applying organic methods to their fruit and vegetable crops, herbs, trees and shrubs, perennials, annuals, and lawns. This thoroughly revised and updated version highlights new organic pest controls, new fertilizer products, improved gardening techniques, the latest organic soil practices, and new trends in garden design.

Design a garden for the future—because what we grow matters. "Matt Rees-Warren explains why every square inch of Earth, including our gardens, has ecological significance... Excellent, timely, essential!" —Douglas W. Tallamy, author of Nature’s Best Hope Transform your garden into a self-sustaining haven for nature and wildlife. Ecological garden designer Matt Rees-Warren shares inspirational design ideas and practical projects to help you create a garden that is both beautiful today and sustainable tomorrow. The Ecological Gardener will give you the tools to create an abundant, healthy garden from the soil up—a garden that welcomes birds and bees and allows native planting and wild flowers to flourish, with minimal carbon impact or need for fresh water. This book can guide both novice and experienced gardeners alike in their journey to a more ecological approach, and is full of practical projects and information, including: Finding the right design for your space Creating a wildflower meadow Building rainwater catchments and other tips for water conservation Making compost from kitchen waste, leaf mold, compost tea and more Creating a space for wildlife such as hedgehogs, bees and other pollinators Finding beauty in your garden during the winter Matt will show you how to re-imagine how you garden, working with nature instead of controlling it, to create a space that promotes both wildlife and beauty.