Grow Your Own: How to be an urban farmer

Description

Urban environments require specific techniques to optimise growing conditions for plants. Two leading experts in horticulture and soil science teach the reader how to grow their own food-from the ground up-in this authoritative, accessible, generously photographed guide. Grow Your Own provides simple step-by-step methods and information enabling the average city dweller to grow food plants at whatever scale their time and resources permit and no matter their location, be it suburban backyard or apartment balcony. Some of the many topics covered include creating the best environment for growing (influenced by water/temperature/light/air quality), setting up the soil; fertilisers, compost and worm farms; choosing crops (annual/perennial/heirloom/modern); propagation, planting and maintenance; pest and disease management; seed saving; rooftop spaces and vertical gardens; and integrated urban farming including bees and poultry.

Angus Stewart's groundbreaking work with Australian native plants and his regular appearances on radio and TV (Gardening Australia) have seen him emerge as Australian gardening's leading expert. He is author of several books including the bestselling Creating an Australian Garden (Allen and Unwin 2010) and, with coauthor A. B. Bishop, The Australian Native Garden (Murdoch Books. 2015). Simon Leake is the founder of SESL Environment and Soil Science, a company offering soil science and horticultural testing and advice. While working across all soil-science related industries, Simon's particular interest is in urban soil science and organic waste management. He is author of Soils for Landscape Development. In 2016 The Australian Institute of Horticulture recognised him as Horticulturist of the Year.