Full of practical tips and step-by-step instructions, Collins Practical Gardener, Garden Techniques is the absolute beginner's guide to gardening. Part of the tremendously successful Practical Gardener series, Garden Techniques will teach you the very basics of what gardening is all about and the skills and techniques needed to succeed. From flower to food gardening, this back-to-basics reference will teach you the importance different types of soil and how they work and explain how plants grow. It then shows how to plant and grow everything from trees and shrubs, climbers, roses, perennials, annuals/biennials, to vegetables, fruits and herbs. Also included are lawns, greenhouses, container and water gardening. Full of handy tips on planting, pruning and propagation techniques, Garden Techniques also covers feed, water, composting and weeding. pests and diseases directory, which will help you identify what is wrong and how to control it. Contents: * Importance of soil -- understanding how soils work, plant nutrition * How plants grow, what keeps them alive * Planting techniques * Pruning techniques * Propagation techniques * Growing trees and shrubs * Growing climbers * Growing roses * Growing perennials * Growing annuals/biennials * Growing vegetables * Growing fruit * Growing herbs * Container gardening * Greenhouses * Lawns * Water gardens * Weed control * Pest and disease control * Year-round guide to basic gardening techniques