"God almighty first planted a garden: and, indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures." --Sir Francis Bacon National surveys show that gardening has become the most popular, least exclusive hobby nationwide. From the balconies of Manhattan to the patios of Malibu to the backyards of Chicago, anybody with a few square feet of earth is doing their best to make their little corner of the world more gracious and beautiful. And the best thing is, you really don't have to be born with a green thumb to give life to a glorious garden. Anybody can do it with a little coaching. Which is where Gardening All-in-One For Dummies comes in. Puzzled by pruning? Baffled by bulbs? Can't tell a hosta from a hyacinth? Don’t worry! This all-in-one reference delivers the know-how you need to transform your little patch of the outdoors into a blooming paradise. Drawing upon the expertise of the National Gardening Association, it gets you up to speed on: Basic gardening skills—from understanding your microclimate to using gardening tools to managing pests and common plant diseases How to design, plan and build a garden landscape that reflects your unique sense of style Selecting, planting and maintaining stunning roses Building a raised bed for your perennials and making them bloom in any climate Choose, grow and maintain annuals From amaryllis to spider dahlias to wood tulips—coaxing beauty from homely bulbs Enjoying nature’s bounty by growing you own vegetables and herbs A veritable encyclopedia of gardening, this Gardening All-in-One For Dummies is an indispensable resource for novices and experienced gardeners alike. It brings together between the covers of a single volume seven great books covering: Gardening Basics Garden Design Roses Perennials Annuals Bulbs Vegetables and Herbs Your one-step guide to a beautiful garden, Gardening All-in-One For Dummies shows you how to experience the “purest of human pleasures” in your own backyard.

Looking to bring some outside greenery indoors? Maybe you already have an indoor garden and are looking to create a botanical jungle. Whatever the case may be, houseplants are an ideal inexpensive way to beautify your dwelling. You’ll be rewarded with purer air and you’re sure to enjoy watching your plant sprout, climb, and even flower. Of course, before you start working on crafting a greenhouse, you need to know what kinds of plants you can grown in your home and which plants are best suited to your taste and style. Houseplants For Dummies introduces dozens of different foliage plants, flowering plants, cacti, and exotic varieties. Your green thumb is sure to get even greener once you’ve read about: Houseplant basics Identifying indoor microclimates Indoor plant “biographies” Differentiating between direct, indirect, and low light Watering needs Rules of fertilizing Temperature and growing cycles Houseplants For Dummies is packed with houseplant growing techniques, tips, tricks, and even goes the extra mile with a chapter devoted to the various ways you can display houseplants if you’re looking for some bragging rights! Whether you’re new to the world of houseplant basics or you’re a seasoned gardener, you’ll get the “inside dirt” on topics such as: Various potting soil mixes Preparing plants for indoor life Cleaning, pruning, and staking Propagating houseplants Dealing with pests and diseases Building your own controlled climate And much more The material is arranged into six clear and helpful sections: houseplant basics, houseplant profiles, growing essentials, potted plant maintenance, houseplant settings, and valuable ideas – each section helping you create your own indoor forest. Even if you’re convinced you have a black thumb, Houseplants For Dummies will have you living among the green in no time!

Learn to: Choose, plant, and care for flowers, fruits, trees, and shrubs Grow vegetables and herbs just steps away from your kitchen Cultivate charming gardens in any climate Prevent insects and diseases from invading containers the eco-friendly way The easy way to get a green thumb in container gardening! Want to spruce up your indoor or outdoor space with annuals, perennials, vegetables, and succulents? This updated edition of Container Gardening For Dummies gives you clear, concise step-by-step instructions for cultivating delightful gardens in everything from a redwood window box to a hanging basket to an old watering can. It also includes color photos to inspire your designs. Getting the dirt on container gardening — discover the advantages of growing plants in containers and learn how to maximize your garden conditions to help plants thrive Picking a pot to plant in — take a look around your living space and determine the best location and type of container for your garden Enjoying a summer fling — get the lowdown on the best single-season flowers, vegetables, and bulbs for container growing Putting down roots — find out which perennials, trees, shrubs, fruits, and berries give year-round impact Designing and decorating — take advantage of ideas and inspiration for creating eye-catching container gardening displays Open the book and find: Things you need to know before planting A quick primer on climate What to look for in a soil mix How to work with perennials and annuals Information you need to help you choose plants Why and when containers need water and fertilizer Guidance on replanting, repotting, and pruning Tips for preventing insect pests and diseases Ways to liven up your space with trees, shrubs, and vines

Succulents are plants that hold water in their leaves, such as cacti, aloe, and echeveria. They have captured the hearts of crafters, decorators, and plant lovers all over the world. Always popular as an outdoor plant in warm climates, succulents have found a new popularity as a try indoor plant that's easy to care for and fun to look at. Idiot's Guides: Succulents includes: + Everything needed to select, pair, pot, and care for succulent plants. + Snapshots of 100 of the most popular varieties of succulent plants, including care, color, hardiness, pairing, and a full-color photo for each. + 16 beautiful craft projects with how-to steps and color photos, including picture frames, wreaths, terrariums, centerpieces, and bouquets. + Tips on successfully propagating new succulents from existing plants. + Extensive advice on choosing pots and unique planters, repotting succulents, and pairing varieties for maximum impact. + An index of succulents by color and height that gives readers another tool for selecting the succulents that will look.

Longing to nurture your houseplant addiction without cramping your space or style? If you can't squeeze another giant leafy friend onto your plant shelf, author Leslie Halleck is here to inform you that tiny is the new BIG! In Tiny Plants, you’ll discover a fascinating array of perfectly petite houseplants you can collect and grow—in a minimal amount of space. Yes, tiny plants are the ideal solution for plant keepers who don’t have much space, but even if you’ve got all the room in the world, their adorableness is reason alone to grow these mini wonders. These are the eternal puppies, kittens, and babies of the plant world—they never grow out of their cuteness because their genetics keep them itty-bitty for their entire lives. Beyond a few small succulents, most houseplant parents aren’t aware of the extensive array of tiny plants they can collect and display on windowsills, on tables and desks, and in terrariums. Prepare for cuteness overload with: Profiles of dozens of miniature houseplants, including aquatic, carnivorous, flowering, succulent, and tropical varieties Detailed growing information and tips for success A fascinating look at the botany of miniature houseplant varieties Advice on how to stylishly display your tiny plant collection How-to lessons on the basics of propagating mini houseplants to share with friends Details on the best tiny houseplants for terrarium growing From the sweet blooms of micro orchids and the soft, smooth texture of lithops, to the frog foot–shaped foliage of the creeping oak fig and the tiny orbs of the string-of-pearls, you'll fall in love with these little curiosities before you can say #plantnerd.

Become the best plant parent you can be Houseplant hysteria is here to stay. For new and seasoned plant owners alike, Houseplants & Succulents For Dummies is the ideal resource on plant care, growing cycles, unique plant varieties, and all the essentials you need to know about your rooted friends. Ensure that your sprouts grow and thrive, with tons of tips and answers to all your questions. Are they getting enough light? Are you overwatering? Why are the leaves turning yellow? This fun Dummies guide teaches you to find the right plants for your personal plant care style, identify common varieties, choose the right potting soil, and pick the perfect little nook for your leaf baby. You’ll also learn how to rescue your plants when pests and diseases strike, and even how to use plants as part of a stylish home décor approach. Get growing! Learn about the different types of plants and choose the ones that will work for you Figure out how to keep your plants happy—and what to do about it if they’re not Determine how often to water plants, what type of soil they need, and how much light Improve your mental and respiratory health by filling your home with plants Grab this handy book if you’re new to the houseplant craze and want a user-friendly, comprehensive guide on plant care. Intermediate and advanced plant parents will also love this handy reference with info on the latest plant trends and new varieties.

Become the best houseplant parent you can be with beginner-friendly tips and tools Houseplants are a great way to decorate, ease stress, and stay connected with nature when you're indoors. If you're looking to grow your collection and need some advice, Houseplants for Beginners has all the information you'll need to successfully care for your plants and help them thrive. Learn how to shop for and repot houseplants, choose the best place in your home for them, and address a variety of challenges like pests and diseases. With 120 common houseplant profiles grouped from low maintenance to high maintenance, you can familiarize yourself with individual plant needs and choose the best ones for your lifestyle. The perks of houseplants--Explore a brief history of houseplants and the benefits of bringing nature inside, including relieving stress and inviting more creativity and happiness into your life. Plant wisdom--Find key insights to set you up for success as you begin your houseplant adventure, from propagation techniques to safety suggestions. Troubleshooting tips--Get straightforward advice for solving seemingly difficult houseplant problems. Fill your home with flourishing houseplants with help from this essential guide for beginners.