A plain-English guide to the world of herb gardening Starting an herb garden isn't free, but it certainly outweighs the growing costs of buying retail herbs. Plus, adding homegrown ingredients to your meals is a healthy and tasty way to improve upon any dish you whip up at home. This friendly, hands-on guide is an excellent introduction to the world of herb gardening. It gives you tips and advice to grow a thriving herb garden that will add depth and flavor to home-cooked meals-as well as boost your health. How to choose, plant, and care for herbs Covers ready-made versus homemade soil mixes, starting plants from seeds, and other fundamentals How to prevent insects, pests, and diseases from invading your containers Over 30 herb recipes for everyday uses, including rubs, marinades, beauty products, and more Whether you're interested in getting step-by-step instructions for starting on your first herb garden or already have one and want to learn new tips and techniques, Herb Gardening For Dummies, 2nd Edition has you covered!
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