The Healthy Vegetable Garden : A natural, chemical-free approach to soil, biodiversity and managing pests and diseases

A must-read for anyone who wants to know how to grow their own zero-food miles, pesticide-free veg, while treading gently upon our planet. Dave Goulson, author of The Garden Jungle and Gardening for BumblebeesWhether you’re an experienced gardener or have ambitious plans for your allotment, this A–Z, soil-to-table guide shows you how to reduce chemical inputs; naturally enrich your growing ecology; and create a hardy, nutrient-dense and delicious crop. In The Healthy Vegetable Garden, expert organic gardener Sally Morgan explains how to use natural approaches to cope with the challenges of a changing climate through principles from regenerative gardening, agroecology and permaculture – all to help your green space thrive. The Healthy Vegetable Garden shows you how to:Combat disease and keep pests at bay with natural predators, companion planting and trap and barrier cropsChoose the right plants to attract pollinators and pest predatorsBuild a healthy soil full of organic matter, earthworms and mycorrhizal fungiRegenerate soil through no-dig practices, composting, cover crops and mulchingBoost biodiversity through the use of crop rotations and polycultureRewild your garden by creating a range of habitats, making use of walls and fences, log piles, water features and wild cornersUnderstand plant defences and use biocontrolsMake natural barriers, traps and luresA healthy, productive garden should work in harmony with nature to produce and protect delicious fruits and vegetables as well as build a rich soil that is full of life. With The Healthy Vegetable Garden, growers of all levels will start reducing incidents of pests and diseases while creating a verdant habitat – all without the need for fertilizers, pesticides or weedkillers.