Gardening

Modern Weed Control explores the transformative evolution of weed management from a minor agricultural practice to a cornerstone of contemporary agribusiness. Since its inception in 1942, the field has expanded exponentially, with a growing body of chemists, agronomists, plant physiologists, and researchers contributing to advancements that now span the globe. Herbicides, once a limited toolset, have multiplied to over 200 varieties, with innovations like glyphosate introducing novel mechanisms for combating weeds. This volume underscores how the science of weed control has become integral to modern agricultural strategies, enabling the efficient cultivation of crops to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population.

Amid growing environmental concerns, including pollution and pesticide misuse, Modern Weed Control addresses the increasing regulatory landscape surrounding herbicides. Despite these challenges, the development of selective and environmentally considerate chemicals continues, reflecting the resilience and adaptability of agricultural science. The book also highlights innovative solutions such as integrated applications combining herbicides, insecticides, and fertilizers, underscoring agriculture's dynamic efforts to sustain productivity. As a comprehensive resource, this text captures the advancements, challenges, and future directions of weed control, offering essential insights for agronomists, policymakers, and environmental advocates alike.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1975.

Modern Weed Control explores the transformative evolution of weed management from a minor agricultural practice to a cornerstone of contemporary agribusiness. Since its inception in 1942, the field has expanded exponentially, with a growing body of chemists, agronomists, plant physiologists, and researchers contributing to advancements that now span the globe. Herbicides, once a limited toolset, have multiplied to over 200 varieties, with innovations like glyphosate introducing novel mechanisms for combating weeds. This volume underscores how the science of weed control has become integral to modern agricultural strategies, enabling the efficient cultivation of crops to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population.

Amid growing environmental concerns, including pollution and pesticide misuse, Modern Weed Control addresses the increasing regulatory landscape surrounding herbicides. Despite these challenges, the development of selective and environmentally considerate chemicals continues, reflecting the resilience and adaptability of agricultural science. The book also highlights innovative solutions such as integrated applications combining herbicides, insecticides, and fertilizers, underscoring agriculture's dynamic efforts to sustain productivity. As a comprehensive resource, this text captures the advancements, challenges, and future directions of weed control, offering essential insights for agronomists, policymakers, and environmental advocates alike.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1975.

Grow your way to happiness with this practical handbook for a more sustainable life.

Whether you have a large country garden or a small backyard in the city, this essential guide to the ‘Good Life’ will help you on your journey to becoming more self-sufficient – which is something we all need to be thinking about. Climate change, industrial farming with its reliance on chemicals, rising food prices, fears over food security or just a desire to spend more time outdoors – there are many reasons driving people towards homegrown food and self-sufficiency. 

Growing your own fruit and vegetables, preserving your produce and generating your own energy are all covered in this thrifty guide by the original ‘Tom and Barbara’, Eve and Terence McLaughlin, who wrote the first edition of this book in 1979. This information-packed book has expert advice on growing, harvesting, storing and preserving your produce. You can brew your own beer and learn how to bottle, cure, smoke and pickle your produce to make it last longer.

The book features easy-to-follow instructions for DIY tools and equipment to save money, reduce energy consumption and cut back on waste. Learn how to plan your site, explore the best planting times and methods, discover how to grow a variety of vegetables, fruit and nuts, and how to deal with pests and diseases.

As well as growing your own food, the book also covers the basics of keeping livestock – including chickens, ducks, goats and pigs – and how to harness alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power.

Putting your own food on the table and playing your part in creating a more sustainable future is hugely rewarding and also has health benefits – the physical exercise of planting and harvesting, the mental wellness that comes with spending time in nature, and the reduction in chemicals in the food you eat – there is so much in this activity that fosters greater wellbeing.

Whether you're planning a move to full-blown self-sufficiency or are just curious about what's involved and want to take your first steps to growing your own food, this essential guide has everything you need to know.

The Wildlife Garden; covers everything the gardener needs to know to cultivate and maintain a wildlife haven in their own garden, however small. There is a wealth of practical information and colour photographs on 'natural' gardening in a clear, easy-to-use, month-by-month format, allowing gardeners to find the advice they need instantly, when they need it. This title provides an introduction to the wild plants and creatures for each month, together with seasonal tips, tasks, checklists and detailed plant profiles. It offers easy-to-follow practical projects to create new habitats, such as making a wildlife pond, building a nest box, planning a herb bed, planting a summer meadow, and more.

The Herb Garden covers everything the gardener needs to know in order to cultivate, harvest and use a vast array of different herbs. There is a wealth of practical information on growing and planting is provided in a clear, easy-to-use, month-by-month format, allowing gardeners instantly to find the advice they need, when they need it. This title provides an introduction to the herb garden for each month, along with straightforward instructions and a checklist for seasonal tasks. It offers easy-to-follow projects, from designing a herb garden to harvesting herbs for scented gifts, are achievable by all.

How home gardeners with limited time and garden space can reclaim the joy and independence of seed saving

Beginning Seed Saving for the Home Gardener explores how seed saving is not only easier than we think, but that it is essential for vibrant, independent, and bountiful gardens.

Many home gardeners refuse to eat a grocery store tomato, but routinely obtain seeds commercially, sometimes from thousands of miles away. And while seed saving can appear mysterious and intimidating, even home gardeners with limited time and space can experience the joy and independence it brings, freeing them from industry and the annual commercial seed order.

Coverage includes:

• Why seed saving belongs in the home garden
• Principles of vegetative and sexual reproduction
• Easy inbreeding plants, including legumes, lettuce, tomatoes, and peppers
• Plants with a few more challenges, including squash, spinach, onions, and parsley
• Brief discussion of more difficult crops, including corn, carrots, and cabbage.

Written by a home seed saver for the home seed saver, Beginning Seed Saving for the Home Gardener is a comprehensive guide for those who want to reclaim our seed heritage, highlighting the importance of saving seeds for you, your neighbors, and most importantly, subsequent generations.