Good Gardens with Less Water

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Description

This beautifully illustrated, full-colour book contains a wealth of practical information suitable for any size garden for all types of plants, from vegetables to fruit tress and lawns to ornamentals. It is ideal for anyone wishing to garden sustainably. Good Gardens with Less Water offers prescriptions for assessing garden soils and selecting growing medium for potted plants, soil conditioning, making and using compost, use of fertilisers in gardens and potted plants, and making the best use of fresh and recycled water. A separate chapter on caring for potted plants will have particular appeal for anyone with limited space such as courtyards or balconies.

Reviews

..".and this book contains a wealth of useful information. It is much more than just about how to have a good garden with less water. This book provides all gardeners, novice or experienced, with an insight into how to garden both successfully and sustainably into the future."-- (01/01/2008)
"A timely book that offers practical solutions to gardeners and garden designers interested in sustainable gardens. Highly recommended."-- (12/01/2008)
"Handreck's latest offering provides practical solutions for anyone who wishes to garden sustainably."--Australian Turfgrass Management Magazine (01/01/2008)
"The theme of this book by Australian author Kevin Handreck is how to overcome the challenges of water restrictions through wise consumption of all water sources and the selection of appropriate drought tolerant plantings. First making the case for the value of the home garden, the author then explores the topic of appropriate selection of garden plants, emphasizing native species that are tolerant of existing environmental conditions. He then turns to soil conditions, reviewing methods for improvement of soil texture and structure. The section on the use of recycled household water for the garden is particularly instructive, for the author includes information on potential damage to plants when there is a high concentration of certain chemicals. He reviews different methods of irrigation and mulches for water conservation, and takes on the subject of the watering care of potted plants. Even though some of the equipment mentioned in the text may not be readily available in the U.S., the text is a practical guide on management of limited water resources for every home gardener."-- (09/01/2008)
"While there are definitely sections that are specific to Australia, I think that there is interesting information for everyone in this book. Packed with tips and advice, it can be a great long read. However, you can make it as short as you want by skimming to the sections that are relevant to you. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to be more efficient with water in his or her garden."-- (08/01/2015)

Author Bio

Kevin Handreck is the Managing Director of Netherwood Horticultural Consultants and former CSIRO Soil Scientist.