Dimensions
189 x 246 x 24mm
Most gardening books deal with the how of gardening - how to prune roses, take cuttings or control diseases. This approach means you have to follow rules and instructions which are easy to forget or misunderstand. A complementary approach is to understand why plants respond to pruning, why only some plant shoots produce roots when taken as cuttings and why crop rotation can help manage disease in the vegetable garden. This clear and accessible book will lead you through both the why and how of gardening explaining: ? The ways in which plants are constructed, grow and develop ? What the Latin names tell us about plants ? How to look for tell tale signs as to where each plant will do best in your garden ? Why we should take more care of the roots of our plants ? How to use plant ecology to manage weed problems in the lawn ? Why only some plants breed true to type from seed ? How to apply this knowledge to both ornamental and kitchen gardens Once you understand the scientific basis of gardening, you can apply it to improve all aspects of your gardening. So armed, you can enjoy your garden all the more and marvel at how amazing plants really are. AUTHOR: Peter Jones was awarded his BSc in Agricultural Botany from University College Aberystwyth, and his PhD from the University of Nottingham. He is now Associate Professor in the Department of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science at University College Cork [UCC]. Peter has a wide ranging interest in plant biology and lectures on subjects as diverse as biocontrol of pests, plant breeding, grass identification, medicinal plants, crop physiology, constructed wetlands, genetically modified crops, sustainable agriculture and biostatistics. His research group studies how crop plants can be made better able to put up with stresses such as drought or disease. SELLING POINTS: ? A clear and accessible guide to understanding the hows and whys of gardening and will be of particular interest to gardeners, botanists, horticulturists and scientists ? Describes how garden plants are built and how to recognize where a particular plant will grow best ? The scientific basis underlying each aspect of gardening is explained clearly ? Covers planting, pruning, feeding, propagation and protein ? Peter Jones is Associate Professor in the Dept. of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science at University College Cork ILLUSTRATIONS 148 colour photographs .42 line drawings *
