The Self-Sustaining Garden: The Guide to Matrix Planting

by Peter Thompson

Overview

This book explores the theme that the plants themselves can do much of the hard work gardeners believe is an essential part of gardening. The Self-Sustaining Garden advocates using plants as partners in self-sustaining communities to create low maintenance gardens rather than being a slave to spades and hoes. In a series of compelling case studies, Peter Thompson shows how to transform a conventional garden into a self-sustaining garden. Updated from the original edition (published in 1997), The Self-Sustaining Garden brings together an explanation of the universal principles of matrix planting with specific applications and informative chapters on soil health and biological controls, and shows how to pull all the ingredients together into a strong, self-sustaining design.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780881928372
Publisher:	Timber Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	06/15/2007
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	7.78(w) x 10.18(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Dr. Peter Thompson is a distinguished plantsman, with a background in plant physiology. He has founded a gardening school in Shropshire, England, owned and run Oldfield Nurseries, and headed the Physiology section at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, where he established a Seed Bank for useful, threatened, or otherwise important species and populations of wild plants. He lives in the UK.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements     6
Introduction to matrix planting     8
What does your garden grow?     12
Partnerships with plants     20
Control in the garden     26
Down to basics: care of the soil     44
Setting up     58
Variations on grassy themes     76
Garden pools and wetlands     100
Scrubberies and 'the mixed border'     126
Counting the blessings of shade     154
Conclusion     182
Gardens and plants     185
Index     187

Editorial Reviews

The message. . . is one that can be adapted to gardens anywhere: look to the natural models and plant accordingly.” —Pacific Horticulture

“A perfect gift for any gardener who wishes to reduce the amount of time spent on chores.” —Manchester Journal Inquirer

“Plenty of inspiration to transform your conventional garden into a self-sustaining one. . . . If it seems that the more you work in your garden, the more problems are created, then perhaps your garden could use a matrix-makeover.” —Camden Herald

“If you are unable or unwilling to devote a great deal of time to your landscape, this might be the book for you.” —Pine Cone Press-Citizen

“Practical, how-to advice combined with cutting edge ideas make The Self-Sustaining Garden a handbook and a manifesto for a new way to garden.” —River Falls Journal

“An interesting and useful garden book, especially for environmentally conscious gardeners and those of us who wistfully dream of a lower-maintenance garden.” —Washington Gardener

 

From the Publisher