This title includes the essential gardening tasks that are shown step by step, with over 950 clear colour photographs and illustrations. It covers everything from planning a design to planting, propagation, care and cultivation through each season. It helps you learn basic gardening skills and techniques from planning and basic maintenance to planting and caring for trees, shrubs, climbers, bulbs, annuals and perennials. Each technique is clearly explained with step-by-step pictures taking you through every stage. It includes information on growing vegetables, herbs and fruit, greenhouse gardening, building rock and water gardens, and propagation. It provides simple advice on garden maintenance including how to improve your soil and achieve a weed-free lawn. It offers a comprehensive seasonal checklist highlights the key tasks to do throughout the year. This is an essential reference guide for new gardeners and those who want to extend their gardening expertise. This title includes over 950 colour photographs and illustrations. This comprehensive practical book begins with simple design ideas and advice about planning your garden and information on using a huge variety of plants, as well as guidance on planting and pruning. This book then builds on this basic knowledge to suggest more spectacular ideas for gardens from wildlife ponds and water features to rock gardens. There is advice on growing fruits and vegetables and making the most from your greenhouse. The final section covers the skills you need to keep your garden in tip-top shape, from weeding, feeding and pest control to propagation, and includes a year-round checklist of essential tasks.