Have you ever wanted to start a vegetable garden, but the thought of breaking your back tilling up difficult soil made you think twice? Do you live in a home that has very limited space for a garden, but you want to give it a try? Are you living in the city but dreaming of a big country-style vegetable patch? If any of these questions describe you, then you need to think about going to bed...Raised-Bed Gardening, that is!It's an amazing feeling to grow your own food, and learning how to garden in raised beds is an ideal way to get started. Raised beds are versatile, easy to design and build, great for the whole family to work in, and are lower maintenance than traditional gardens. You can expand your horizons, fall in love with a new hobby, teach your children about responsibility, and the food chain, and you can do it all with Raised-Bed Gardening!All you need to get on your way to a raised-bed garden is a sunny spot, and the willingness to learn. In this book you'll discover: - the many benefits of raised-bed gardening- how to choose a site and design to fit your needs and budget- where to look for low-cost and free building materials- construction tips for DIYers and kit builders- how to select the soils and seeds you'll need to get started- how to read seed packets and plant labels for vital information- how to make, turn, and use your own compost- how to read labels and use fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides properly- the importance of proper watering techniques- how to handle garden pests and plant pathogens with ease- the basic principles of integrated pest management- how to protect your growing garden from browsing wildlife - types of mulch and how to use them- basic botany and soil science- tips and tricks for the happiest, healthiest plants - how to sow your seeds and seedlings - the secrets to companion and succession planting- all about plant families and crop rotation- the importance of keeping a garden journal - and much more! Raised-Bed Gardening will be your constant companion from the moment you start dreaming about your garden design through an entire growing season, harvest, a preparation for the future. In these pages, you'll also find handy tool and supply lists, an overview of the key points of all garden maintenance tasks, and ideas for creative ways to preserve your harvest for the off-season. There's even a section especially for urban gardeners to address their specific design considerations. Told in an easy-to-read conversational style, this guide will have you coming back time and again to flip through the pages like visiting an old friend!Raised-Bed Gardening will have you siting, designing, building, planting, maintaining, harvesting, preserving, and planning ahead like a champion in no time! Don't hesitate- start reading today for the garden of your dreams tomorrow
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