The book first considers how we should garden today and what the new gardening means. Thematic chapters identify the benefits and potential of your site, look at the importance of managing your soil, show why sustainability is important in the garden, show how gardening with wildlife in mind is beneficial for both your garden and biodiversity, looks at plant choice and the horticulture for the world of plants at your disposal (including sections on grass, gardening with little or no water, gardening in shady conditions, gardening in boggy areas or near water), the structural design of your garden and planting design. Endmatter includes a year-round new gardening chart, what plants should go where listed in A-Z form, and a comprehensive glossary and index.

Author Biography

Matthew Wilson has been Curator of RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Yorkshire since 2004, having previously been the Curator of RHS Garden Hyde Hall since 2000. He contributes regularly to a number of publications, including The Daily Telegraph, for whom he writes the Buzzwords column, BBC Wildlife Magazine, The RHS's The Garden, Gardens Illustrated, The English Garden, Garden Life, and BBC Gardener's World Magazine. He is the author of Gardening Techniques (Collins) and has contributed to the RHS/DK title Learn to Garden. Matthew's television credits include appearances on BBC's Gardener 's World, The Plantsman, BBC Gardener of the Year, ITV's Britain's Best Back Gardens, Gardening with the Experts, Take a Leaf, Garden Challenge, Turf Wars, and on the BBC's coverage of The Chelsea Flower Show. Matthew also regularly gives talks on sustainable horticulture, wildlife, and gardening and enjoys working with the local community, schools, and organizations to promote horticulture and the work of the RHS in the North of England. He lives in Yorkshire.