The Complete Encyclopedia of Practical Gardening

A comprehensive how-to guide for beginner gardeners with expert advice shown in easy-to-follow photographs. This gardening encyclopedia combines an essential practical reference book with an inspirational sourcebook, and demonstrates how to make the most of every element of the garden. Clever and effective design is vital to good gardening, and the first section of the book takes you from the planning stage to the realization of your ideas in the garden's features, structures and plants. Then follows the guide to the gardening year, structured by season, with meticulous step-by-step photography demonstrating how to tackle with confidence the gardening tasks appropriate to each time of year. This outstanding volume is a definitive photographic reference that is beautifully presented and easy to follow. It is a book to delight all gardeners and will be a constant sourcebook for tips, hints and how-to advice and also for ideas and inspiration for design, landscaping, planting and maintaining your garden, whatever its size and location. Learn about constructing ponds, walls, paths, patios, rock gardens and other garden features, taking cuttings, sowing seeds, planting, weeding, tending, harvesting and dealing with pests and diseases, for flowers, fruits and vegetables. With over 1400 photographs, including how-to sequences and wonderful inspirational images, this is the perfect sourcebook and reference guide for every gardener throughout the year.