Thoughtful Gardening: Practical Gardening in Harmony with Nature

Ed Ikin is the Head Gardener at Nymans (the National Trust garden). He is one of their most innovative and energetic gardeners. He is passionate about gardening with nature and was a contributor to the bestselling Gardening Secrets (National Trust Books).

* An essential book for all gardeners who want to give a bit more thought into the way they garden * Advice on gardening in harmony with nature * From gardening during drought conditions to the best friendly fungi * Plus how to make the perfect compost A thoughtful and practical book on how to garden in harmony with nature. A leading National Trust gardener reveals the techniques that work at in grand gardens are just as applicable for all gardeners, whether you have a small yard, a veg patch or several acres. His advice covers: How to make a plant healthy from organic spraying with milk, introducing friendly fungi to good nutrition for your plants. Making perfect compost, including hot composting techniques, the ultimate leaf mould, bracken compost and potash, and composting food waste. Surviving droughts and downpours with low-watering regimes, increasing drought resistance in plants, choosing the right plant for your conditions, and keeping plants healthy in water-logged soil.Making your glasshouse green with water-collection systems, using beneficial insects to control pests, alternatives to pesticides and fungicides, sterilising without bleach, peat-free composts and alternatives to plastic. Gardening by the moon with simple and scientific experiments in biodynamic gardening.