Desert or Paradise is a practical guide to restoring damaged, unproductive land by constructing or restoring lakes and ponds to support abundant edible landscapes. These provide fresh water mixed aquacultures, orchards and crops planted along the banks and literally reaquify the surrounding landscape to turn back the tide of encroaching desertification. Desert or Paradise will explain why natural water management is at the centre of any earth restoration; how to design water retention areas t...

Sepp Holzer farms steep mountainsides in Austria, 1,500 metres above sea level. His farm is an intricate network of terraces, raised beds, ponds, waterways and tracks, well covered with productive fruit trees and other vegetation, with the farmhouse neatly nestling amongst them. This is in dramatic contrast to his neighbours spruce monocultures. In this book, Sepp shares the skill and knowledge acquired over his lifetime. He covers every aspect of his farming methods, not just how to create a...

The internationally renowned ‘rebel farmer’ shares a lifetime’s worth of skill and knowledge on permaculture gardening and farming.Sepp Holzer farms steep mountainsides in Austria, 1,500 meters above sea level. His farm is an intricate network of terraces, raised beds, ponds, waterways and tracks, productive fruit trees, and other vegetation. A farmhouse nestles neatly amongst them. This is in dramatic contrast to his neighbors’ spruce monocultures.In this ...

Urban gardeners. Native seed-saving collectives. Ecovillage developments. What is the connection between these seemingly disparate groups? The ecological design system of permaculture is the common thread that weaves them into a powerful, potentially revolutionary—or reevolutionary—movement.Permaculture is a philosophy based on common ethics of sustainable cultures throughout history that have designed settlements according to nature's patterns and lived within its bounds. As a mov...

Learn how to grow, harvest, prepare, and use the 33 most common and versatile healing plants, including peppermint, chamomile, basil, and ginger, in this bestselling book from the godmother of modern herbalism.With this introductory handbook, you’ll see how easy it can be to make your own natural remedies for life’s common ailments. Legendary herbalist Rosemary Gladstar profiles 33 common medicinal plants and includes advice on growing, harvesting, preparing, and u...

A practical guide to repelling indoor and outdoor pests using organic methods, updated with new information on getting rid of bedbugs and dust mites, plus includes updated online resources.If you’ve ever had a swarm of fruit flies in your kitchen or a gopher wreaking havoc in your yard, you may have wondered what a conscientious gardener or homeowner can do short of heavy-duty chemical warfare. Dead Snails Leave No Trails is a comprehensive guide to repell...

The Organic Garden redefines what it means to be an organic gardener. This practical and thought-provoking handbook is both a manual of organic practice and a starting point for ethical living.The meaning of 'organic' is changing fast, becoming more and more an umbrella term for all things environmental: from ethical consumerism, waste recycling and self-sufficiency to new trends in wildlife-friendly, sustainable and forest gardening. The Organic Garden shows how these popular new ...

A NEW YORK TIMES, WASHINGTON POST, AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER • One of the most beloved books of our time: an illuminating account of the forest, and the science that shows us how trees communicate, feel, and live in social networks. After reading this book, a walk in the woods will never be the same again.“Breaks entirely new ground ... [Peter Wohlleben] has listened to trees and decoded their language. Now he speaks for them.”—

Since 1973, Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletins have offered practical, hands-on instructions designed to help readers master dozens of country living skills quickly and easily. There are now more than 170 titles in this series, and their remarkable popularity reflects the common desire of country and city dwellers alike to cultivate personal independence in everyday life.

A blend of history, science, philosophy, and environmentalism, The Tree is an engaging and elegant look at the life of the tree and what modern research tells us about their future.There are redwoods in California that were ancient by the time Columbus first landed, and pines still alive that germinated around the time humans invented writing. There are Douglas firs as tall as skyscrapers, and a banyan tree in Calcutta as big as a football field.Fr...

Gardening Basics For Canadians For Dummies has been revised to help the beginner gardener get started, providing all the information you'll need on flowers beds and borders, trees, shrubs, and lawns to landscape your property. It also includes step-by-step plans for organic and edible gardens, specific regional gardens, and butterfly and children's gardens. The book gives helpful tips controlling pests safely, managing weeds, and correcting common gardening problems. In addition, ...

Permaculture in a Nutshell is a concise and accessible introduction to the practice of permaculture in temperate climates. It covers how permaculture works in the city, the country and on the farm and explores ways in which people can work together to recreate real communities.