Every gardener has at least one gardening hack. A nifty way to sow seed, ideas for beating snails, or things that help cope with a summer drought – very apt this week. In Way to Grow, Simon Akeroyd has gathered more than 100 tips that he’s been given over his 30 years in horticulture.
(Sent review copy. Not paid.)
He opens with a suggestion that many gardeners fail to remember: “Plants want to grow.” What we need to do, he tells us, is “find simple ways to encourage them”. Drawing on ideas from both amateur and professional gardeners, he then goes on to outline tips that will help you give your plants the best chance of thriving.
Way to Grow is divided into sections covering the basic areas of gardening: grow, protect, nurture, maintain and design. Each chapter is a series of hacks explained in an easy to follow, chatty style and illustrated with photos.
The hacks cover some of the usual suspects – collecting seed as a free way of getting plants, sowing large seeds on their side to prevent rotting, aerating your lawn – along with some that even after decades of gardening I’d not come across.
The idea of sowing seed down a length of pipe or hollow stick to avoid having to bend a bad back was new to me, as was a salt encrusted tape around pots to deter snails.
Given the amount of bindweed currently in my garden, I’m planning to try making the bindweed plant food, and the idea of growing pototoes vertically to save on space would be ideal for anyone with limited room. Unfortunately, the hints on which way around to plant pumpkins came too late for this year’s crop. The clear index will make it easy to look up this idea next season.
With some more basic ‘how to’ information woven in, including the difference between bypass and anvil secateurs and how to use them, Way to Grow would be ideal for beginner and experienced gardeners.
Way to Grow by Simon Akeroyd is published by DK with an RRP of £16.99. #Ad You can buy it here for £13.45. (If you buy via this link, I receive a small commission. The price you pay is not affected.) Alternatively, you may wish to buy from an independent bookseller here. All prices correct at time of publication of this post.
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