Science and the garden. Ingram, Daphne Vince-Prue, Peter J. Gregory : the scientific basis of horticultural practice

Most conventional gardening books concentrate on how and when to carry out horticultural tasks such as pruning, seed sowing and taking cuttings. This book is unique in explaining in straightforward terms some of the science that underlies these practices. It is principally a book of 'Why' - Why are plants green? Why should one cut beneath a leaf node when taking cuttings? Why do plants need so much water? But it also goes on to deal with the 'How', providing rationale behind the practical advice. The coverage is wide-ranging and comprehensive and includes the basic structure and functioning of garden plants, nomenclature, genetics and plant breeding, environmental factors affecting growth, methods of propagation and production, pest and disease control, and post harvest management and storage. Published on behalf of the Royal Horticultural Society, this book will be a most valuable text for those sitting the RHS general examination, and horticultural students at certificate and diploma levels; it will also appeal to gardeners, growers and scientists. Content: Chapter 1 Know Your Plant (pages 1–45): David S. Ingram Chapter 2 Naming Your Plant (pages 47–57): Simon Thornton?Wood and Stephen L. Jury Chapter 3 Designing Plants (pages 59–82): Anna Dourado, Daphne Vince?Prue and Ray Mathias Chapter 4 Soils and Soil Fertility (pages 83–111): Peter J. Gregory and Jon Pickering Chapter 5 Choosing a Site (pages 113–126): Daphne Vince?Prue Chapter 6 Raising Plants from Seed (pages 127–142): Anna Dourado and Daphne Vince?Prue Chapter 7 Vegetative Propagation (pages 143–163): Daphne Vince?Prue and Anna Dourado Chapter 8 Shape and Colour (pages 165–179): Daphne Vince?Prue and Timothy Walker Chapter 9 Seasons and Weather (pages 181–201): Daphne Vince?Prue Chapter 10 Gardening in the Greenhouse (pages 203–219): Daphne Vince?Prue and Peter J. Gregory Chapter 11 Controlling the Undesirables (pages 221–245): Chris Prior, Andrew Halstead, Guy Barter and Michael Saynor Chapter 12 Storage and Post?Harvest (pages 247–262): David S. Johnson

"A thorough update and the introduction of new topics such as biodiversity and conservation has greatly enhanced this new edition: it is a 'must read' for all interested in horticulture and gardening."
—John MacLeod, RHS Professor of Horticulture

Most conventional gardening books concentrate on how and when to carry out horticultural tasks such as pruning, seed sowing and taking cuttings. This book is unique in explaining in straightforward terms some of the science that underlies these practices. It is principally a book of 'Why' – Why are plants green? Why should one cut beneath a leaf node when taking cuttings? Why do plants need so much water? But it also goes on to deal with the 'How', providing rationale behind the practical advice.

The coverage is wide-ranging and comprehensive and includes the basic structure and functioning of garden plants, nomenclature, genetics and plant breeding, soil management, environmental factors affecting growth, methods of propagation and production, pest and disease control, post harvest management and storage, and conservation and sustainable horticulture.

Now with full colour throughout, the second edition provides the reader with:

• Completely revised and updated chapters from the first edition, with new information and clearer focus on the topics
• Four new chapters, dealing with matters that have become of increasing concern since the first edition, namely: Diversity in the Plant World; Conservation and Sustainable Gardening; Gardens and the Natural World; and Gardens for Science

Published on behalf of the Royal Horticultural Society, this book remains a key text for those sitting RHS examinations, particularly at levels 2 and 3; it will also appeal to gardeners, growers and scientists.

Key Features

• Bestselling essential text for all horticulture students
• Edited and written by a group of highly regarded scientists
• Covers the scientific information of greatest importance to gardeners and horticulturists
• Jargon-free scientific explanations, a comprehensive glossary, and copious colour illustrations

Royalties from the sale of this book go towards the charitable work of the RHS, promoting horticulture and helping gardeners. www.rhs.org.uk

Most conventional gardening books concentrate on how and when to carry out horticultural tasks such as pruning, seed sowing and taking cuttings. This book is unique in explaining in straightforward terms some of the science that underlies these practices. It is principally a book of 'Why' - Why are plants green? Why should one cut beneath a leaf node when taking cuttings? Why do plants need so much water? But it also goes on to deal with the 'How', providing rationale behind the practical advice. The coverage is wide-ranging and comprehensive and includes the basic structure and functioning of garden plants, nomenclature, genetics and plant breeding, environmental factors affecting growth, methods of propagation and production, pest and disease control, and post harvest management and storage. Published on behalf of the Royal Horticultural Society, this book will be a most valuable text for those sitting the RHS general examination, and horticultural students at certificate and diploma levels; it will also appeal to gardeners, growers and scientists.

Edited and written by a group of highly regarded scientists Covers the scientific information of greatest importance to gardeners and horticulturists Jargon-free scientific explanations, a comprehensive glossary, and copious illustrations many of which are in colour. Written to increase the horticulturist's understanding of the many ways in which science contributes to gardening the coverage of this volume is comprehensive, bringing together subjects which might be normally dealt with in separate publications The most remarkable thing about plants is that they are green (Fig. 1.1).