The Backyard Homestead Book of Building Projects

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Whether you are raising livestock or just a small bed of herbs, there are plenty of useful projects in this collection. Author and woodworker Carlsen is in his element here, giving ample attention to safety, tools, and materials. Ideas are grouped by area and theme: outdoors, harvesting, storage, animal shelters, and miscellaneous. There are several standouts, including a two-wheel cart, a flower-pot smoker, processing racks, and a golf cart dolly. Each features an exploded view, measurements, and a list of needed supplies. The lack of detailed, step-by-step instruction is offset by very clear text. Library Journal (02/15/2014)

Five-Plant Gardens: 52 Ways to Grow a Perennial Garden with Just Five Plants

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In her newest, Ondra cuts through the confusion that would otherwise attend the process of creating a border or bed, including tips for creating a garden for a particular season or color scheme. She helps the gardener with a simple key: planting a magic five plants for a variety of beds. Her guidelines, which include a "shopping list" for each bed, reflect her skill as an accomplished horticulturist and include diverse color options (for example, "Stunning in Silver, " "Think Pink") and seasonal schemes. She draws sound distinctions, differentiating, for example, between full-sun-to-partial-shade and partial-to-full-shade gardens. Other highlights include the color photography of Rob Cardillo and a generous supply of design plans. Publishers Weekly (02/03/2014)

The Gardener of Versailles: My Life in the World's Grandest Garden

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Versailles head gardener and TV host Baraton reflects on his three decades tending some of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Simply but thoroughly, the author narrates the history of Versailles, from the days of Henry IV sneaking off to these woods to hunt to the days of the revolution. The most surprising element is the speed with which an estate of such size was built. The gardens, on the other hand, sprung from the guiding hand of Louis XIV's gardener, Andre Le Notre, but then took their own sweet time to flourish. Baraton importantly points out how people rush about on the Rue de Rivoli and other parts of Paris but then slow to a snail's pace when they walk through gardens at Versailles. Gardens reach into your soul, writes the author, whether you plant them, harvest them or simply enjoy them. Kirkus Reviews (01/01/2014)

Backyard Blueprints

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Even a small backyard tucked behind the house can blossom brilliantly with room for lounging, cooking, dining, playing, and working. Offering a mix of down-to-earth advice and artistic ideas, along with 18 detailed blueprints to guide you, designer David Stevens shows how to unlock your garden's extraordinary possibilities. Everything is demystified, from dividing the space to planting.

Citizen Farmers: The Biodynamic Way to Grow Healthy Food, Build Thriving Communities, and Give Back to the Earth

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Bio-dynamic farming, with its focus on ecological sustainability, has emerged as the gold standard in the organic gardening movement. Daron Joffe (known as Farmer D) has made it his mission to empower, educate, and inspire people to become conscientious consumers, citizens, and stewards of the land. In this engaging call to action, Farmer D teaches us to not only create sustainable gardens but also to develop a more holistic, community-minded approach to how our food is grown and how we live our lives in balance with nature. Illustrated with photographs of gardens designed by Farmer D as well as line drawings, the book is an indispensable resource packed with advice on establishing a biodynamic garden, composting, soil composition and replenishment, control-ling pests and disease, cooperative gardening practices, and even creating delicious meals.

The Green Smoothie Garden: Grow Your Own Produce for the Most Nutritious Green Smoothie Recipes Possible!

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Green smoothies straight from your garden!
Smoothies blended with fresh, crisp greens and natural fruit juices will increase your daily vegetable intake, boost your energy, and improve your overall well-being--and they don't have to cost a fortune! "The Green Smoothie Garden" teaches you how to make the healthiest green smoothies without breaking the bank. Featuring simple instructions and valuable gardening tips, this book shows you how to grow the vegetables in your favorite smoothies and incorporate them into a variety of delicious recipes. From kale to spinach to collards, the nutrient-rich greens featured in these tasty smoothies can be produced in any gardening space, so you'll be able to reap the benefits of a homegrown green smoothie no matter where you live."The Green Smoothie Garden" gives you the advice and tools you need to make the most nutritious drinks right at home and at a fraction of the cost!

The Timber Press Guide to Vegetable Gardening in the Northeast

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The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden

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The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden makes a design-magazine-worthy garden achievable at home. The new, simplified approach is made up of hardy, beautiful plants grown on a 10x14 foot grid. Each of the 62 garden plans combines complementary plants that thrive together and grow as a community. They are designed to make maintenance a snap. In fact, the entire garden is mowed down at the end of the season! The garden plans can be followed explicitly or adjusted to meet individual needs; size can be altered by treating the grid-like design as a modular building block that can be halved, doubled, or tripled as needed. This complete garden system makes a gorgeous perennial garden available to everyone, no matter their skill or the size of their space."

Improving Your Soil: A Practical Guide to Soil Management for the Serious Home Gardener

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Intended for both small and medium-size gardens, "Improving Your Soil" reveals the steps to take to achieve the perfect soil base in which to grow plants. With directions on amending poor soil, modifying mediocre earth, aerating compacted topsoil and substrates, and testing pH levels, this book enables gardeners to nurture their plants and promote more abundant growth.

A Place Called Home: Creating Beautiful Spaces to Call Your Own

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Let acclaimed stylist and blogger Jason Grant show you how to become your own stylist and transform your house into a beautiful home. Jason Grant doesn't believe in creating perfect homes. Instead, he encourages people to create a space that says something about who they are and their style of living.

The Mix & Match Guide to Companion Planting

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With its unique split-page mix-and match system, "The Mix & Match Guide to Companion Planting" is a colorful visual gardening guide to which vegetables, fruits, and herbs grow best with one another, and which do not.

Kitchen Ideas You Can Use: Inspiring Designs & Clever Solutions for Remodeling Your Kitchen

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Forecasted hot new trends in kitchen design include more neutral countertops, open cabinetry, farmhouse influences, large lighting, and architectural fixtures. Peterson ("Building with Secondhand Stuff; Manskills") presents a collection of eye candy for your fantasy kitchen. Sections focus on layout, styles, countertops, storage and cabinets, fixtures, and lighting. The photos are lovely, but some are too small and sometimes don't best represent the targeted subject. The author's excellent commentary accompanies each photo, making sense of the illustrations. The section on color, particularly colored appliances, is interesting and timely.
Library Journal (03/01/2014)

Rodale's Basic Organic Gardening: A Beginner's Guide to Starting a Healthy Garden

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In "Rodale's Basic Organic Gardening, "general garden-building skills (from "Do I need to dig?" to "Where do I dig?") and specific techniques (from "How do I plant a seed?" to "How much should I water?") are presented in growing-season order--from garden planning and planting to growing and harvesting. Many other need-to-know topics like soil, compost, seeds, pest control, and weeds are explained in simple language to ensure success, even on a small scale, on the first try.