Frank Carlson Library

There are no stupid questions here. Everyone has to start somewhere, after all. In The First-Time Gardener's Guide to Growing Plants and Flowers, Sean and Allison McManus, the gardening pros behind the popular website and podcast Spoken Garden, answer all of your questions and more. Caring for outdoor plantings can be intimidating, especially if the process is completely new to you. Before running to the hardware store to stock up on plastic bags...

Sick of the bad quality, high levels of pesticides, and exorbitant prices of the fruits and vegetables sold in your local market? What if there was a way to grow nutritious fruits and vegetables right from your own garden? What if we told you it was much simpler than you expected? It's time to get started cultivating your very own ecologically sound food garden! The never-ending stream of information that is available online may make the prospect...

"The holiday season, and the mood in Winsome is anything but jolly. Megan Sawyer is determined to farm year-round. She's braving a December snowstorm after pitching her greenhouse greens to Philadelphia chefs when she sees a stranger stranded on the side of the road. It's Merry Chance's niece Becca, who's headed to Winsome to sell her 'love potions' at holiday events, or so she thinks. Merry has an ulterior motive in inviting her niece to Winsome,...

Develop mature compost right in your garden. Barbara Pleasant and Deborah Martin explain their six-way compost gardening system in this informative guide that will have you rethinking how you create and use your compost. With your plants and compost living together from the beginning, your garden will become a nourishing and organic environment that encourages growth and sustainability. You'll also find that the enriched soil requires less tending,...

Straw bale gardening is an inexpensive, low-maintenance way to grow a bounty of food in a small space. All you need is a bale of straw, some fertilizer, and your favorite vegetable seeds! Craig LeHoullier's step-by-step instructions show you how to do everything from sourcing the straw and setting up your bale to planting, dealing with weeds and pests, and harvesting. All that's required is a bale of straw, some fertilizer, and some vegetable seeds...

You don't have to believe that a catastrophic disaster or emergency is likely to occur in the future to make preparations for it. Creating a sustainable food supply is something that most of us can do in a smaller space than one would usually imagine. Expanding that space and choosing wisely the foodstuffs we choose to grow allows one to turn our preparations into profits.In Prepping for Profit, author Dale Bannock gives detailed examples and suggestions...

"Wonderfully written, beautifully illustrated, and everything you need to know to get more productivity out of your food garden." -Joe Lamp'l, creator and executive producer, Growing a Greener World Discover how to get more out of your growing space with succession planting-carefully planned, continuous seed sowing-and provide a steady stream of fresh food from early spring through late fall.   Drawing inspiration from succession in natural...

A Seasonal Guide for Growing & Cooking Foods Right at Home "Luay makes growing your own food, even if just a small amount, into an achievable endeavor."-Niki Irving of Flourish Flower Farm, flower farmer, florist, author of Growing Flowers #1 Best Seller in Organic Gardening Learn to garden in any space with Seed to Table, grow and cook nutrient-dense foods to take your gardening and cooking to the next level! Gardening, cooking, and eating done...

Create a gorgeous lawn that is free of harsh chemicals. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to grow and maintain a thriving lawn using organic gardening methods. With expert advice on planting the best grass varieties, nourishing the soil, watering, fighting weeds, and sustainable maintenance, Paul Tukey helps you create a luscious and inviting lawn that is pesticide-free and safe for your children and pets.  Paul Tukey...

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. Rhonda Massingham Hart is a master gardener and the author of several books...