Books with author Bill Marken

Learn to: Choose, plant, and care for flowers, fruits, trees, and shrubs Grow vegetables and herbs just steps away from your kitchen Cultivate charming gardens in any climate Prevent insects and diseases from invading containers the eco-friendly way The easy way to get a green thumb in container gardening! Want to spruce up your indoor or outdoor space with annuals, perennials, vegetables, and succulents? This updated edition of Container Gardening For Dummies gives you clear, concise step-by-step instructions for cultivating delightful gardens in everything from a redwood window box to a hanging basket to an old watering can. It also includes color photos to inspire your designs. Getting the dirt on container gardening — discover the advantages of growing plants in containers and learn how to maximize your garden conditions to help plants thrive Picking a pot to plant in — take a look around your living space and determine the best location and type of container for your garden Enjoying a summer fling — get the lowdown on the best single-season flowers, vegetables, and bulbs for container growing Putting down roots — find out which perennials, trees, shrubs, fruits, and berries give year-round impact Designing and decorating — take advantage of ideas and inspiration for creating eye-catching container gardening displays Open the book and find: Things you need to know before planting A quick primer on climate What to look for in a soil mix How to work with perennials and annuals Information you need to help you choose plants Why and when containers need water and fertilizer Guidance on replanting, repotting, and pruning Tips for preventing insect pests and diseases Ways to liven up your space with trees, shrubs, and vines

When Matthew's work was too untidy he was sent to see the Headmaster and something strange happened. The Headmaster picked up a slim silver pencil and lightly tapped Matthew on the sleeve. Then, for a squelch of a second he hadn't been Matthew. For the middle of a moment he had felt surrounded by a hard something. For a tenth of a tick he'd been tiny - and then he was normal. What was going on? Could the Headmaster work magic? Matthew is determined to find out!