This work provides readers with the necessary information to change the look of their gardens with minimum effort and maximum effect. The book takes the reader through the whole design process in a simple way, avoiding confusing jargon and complex diagrams. It opens with details of how to make lists of what you want and what you need, followed by advice on assessing your site and drawing up a budget. Next, the book shows how to create a design by introducing the garden features of your own choice, adding the details and, finally, how to plant your garden. There is also the problem solver for those difficult sites.

The Essential Garden Design Workbook guides the reader through every stage of planning a garden — how to survey a site, how to choose landscaping materials, and how to develop planting schemes. This fully revised and updated second edition features new U.S. case studies and new photographs. Valuable tips on green gardening are new to this edition, and include how to harvest rainwater, how to design a green roof, tips on sustainable planting, and a guide to composting. Tailor-made for hands-on gardeners, the workbook approach is accessible, practical, and can be used to create a garden from scratch and to redesign an existing garden. Gardeners will find easy ways to measure large spaces, estimate the height of a tree, and find the right proportions for a deck. They'll also find tips on space, light, and color. Includes hundreds of easy-to-follow line drawings and diagrams.

In this eloquent plea for compassion and respect for all species, journalist and gardener Nancy Lawson describes why and how to welcome wildlife to our backyards. Through engaging anecdotes and inspired advice, profiles of home gardeners throughout the country, and interviews with scientists and horticulturalists, Lawson applies the broader lessons of ecology to our own outdoor spaces. Detailed chapters address planting for wildlife by choosing native species; providing habitats that shelter baby animals, as well as birds, bees, and butterflies; creating safe zones in the garden; cohabiting with creatures often regarded as pests; letting nature be your garden designer; and encouraging natural processes and evolution in the garden. The Humane Gardener fills a unique niche in describing simple principles for both attracting wildlife and peacefully resolving conflicts with all the creatures that share our world.

Everyone could use a little greenery in their lives! Easy Garden Projects features 200+ creative garden projects of all skill levels and styles to help you liven up your home and yard. Country Gardens magazine celebrates the spirit and romance of gardening as a lifestyle, with an emphasis on a less formal, more personal aesthetic. With its simple tutorials that anyone can do to enhance their space, Easy Garden Projects appeals to a wide swath of gardeners. Whether it’s a homemade faux-stone planter filled with succulents or a potting bench made from reclaimed wood, each design features a finished-project photo and step-by-step instructions to guide you on your gardening path. The look and feel of the book reflects the breezy, rustic, and organic style of the Country Gardens brand. No matter where you live and garden, Easy Garden Projects features fun ways to spend a weekend or just a few hours making something beautiful. Chapters Include: Garden Accents & Decor: Beautify your outdoor space with these simple designs. Hardscapes & Growing Accessories: Build structures that serve and enhance your garden. Inviting Wildlife: Welcome birds, bees, and butterflies to your yard. Mini Gardens & Terrariums: Bring the garden indoors with delightful small-scale projects. Plants & Planters: Find or create your own containers and fill them with flora. Projects include: Craft a Barrel-Hoop Birdfeeder from Rustic antiques Build a Raised Vegetable Garden Hang an Air-Plant Chandelier Light Your Garden with Romantic Votive Displays Pack a Cool Kokedama Plan a Bird-Lover’s Garden Dig a Flagstone Fire Pit Feed a Hummingbird by Hand Decorate Stone Pavers for a Garden Path Create a Tiny Terrarium World Under Glass Plant a Succulent Wreath Set Up a Cucumber Tower Save the Monarchs and Host the Most Butterflies Learn Bonsai Basics Captivate the Senses with an Indoor Herb Garden

Gardens that capture your eyes and heart don't come about by accident. Imagination as well as careful planning - before planting - intertwine in the process of designing inspiring gardens. This guide to creating a garden describes planning methods, letting you view a multitude of garden designs.

“Big ideas for your small garden.” —Garden Design When it comes to gardens, bigger isn’t always better, and The Less Is More Garden shows you how to take advantage of every square foot of space. Designer Susan Morrison offers savvy tips to match your landscape to your lifestyle, draws on years of experience to recommend smart plants with seasonal interest, and suggests hardscape materials to personalize your space. Inspiring photographs highlight a variety of inspiring small-space designs from around the country. With The Less Is More Garden, you’ll see how limited space can mean unlimited opportunities for gorgeous garden design.