Firescaping

Firescaping
Author: Douglas Kent
Publisher: Wilderness Press
Total Pages: 426
Release: 2019-10-08
Genre: Gardening
ISBN: 0899979637

Your guide to beautiful, fire-resistant landscaping techniques Tens of thousands of wildfires burn across the country every year, destroying millions of acres of land. If you live in fire country, take action. Use firescaping to defend your home against wildfires—while maintaining the beauty of your garden. This unique form of landscaping design keeps your property healthy, clean, and clear. Horticultural expert Douglas Kent shares secrets, tricks, and simple instructions in the new edition of this practical, hands-on guide, recommended by AAA Homeowners Insurance. Find out which landscapes have a high fire risk and why. Get tips on landscaping and maintenance—such as effective watering and brush-clearing techniques—that reduce a property’s fire risk. Learn which plants and building materials are best for reducing damage. Discover how to make your home accessible to firefighters in the event of a wildfire. Homeowners, landscaping professionals, and community fire prevention officials will find Firescaping invaluable. If you live in an area at risk, this book can help to prepare you and give you peace of mind.

Designing with Succulents

Designing with Succulents
Author: Debra Lee Baldwin
Publisher: Timber Press
Total Pages: 574
Release: 2011-03-18
Genre: Gardening
ISBN: 1604692960

Lavishly illustrated with over 300 photographs, Designing with Succulents gives design and cultivation basics for paths, borders, slopes, and containers; hundreds of succulent plant recommendations; and descriptions of 90 easy-care, drought-tolerant companion plants. Beginners and experienced designers, landscapers, and collectors alike will find what they need to visualize, create, and nurture the three-dimensional work of art that is the succulent garden.

California Master Gardener Handbook, 2nd Edition

California Master Gardener Handbook, 2nd Edition
Author: Dennis Pittenger
Publisher: UCANR Publications
Total Pages: 768
Release: 2014-12-15
Genre: Gardening
ISBN: 1601078579

Since it was first published in 2002, the California Master Gardener Handbook has been the definitive guide to best practices and advice for gardeners throughout the West. Now the much-anticipated 2nd Edition to the Handbook is here—completely redesigned, with updated tables, graphics, and color photos throughout. Whether you're a beginner double digging your first bed or a University of California Master Gardener, this handbook will be your go-to source for the practical, science-based information you need to sustainably maintain your landscape and garden and become an effective problem solver. Chapters cover soil, fertilizer, and water management, plant propagation, plant physiology; weeds and pests; home vegetable gardening; specific garden crops including grapes, berries temperate fruits and nuts, citrus, and avocados. Also included is information on lawns, woody landscape plants, and landscape design. New to the 2nd Edition is information on invasive plants and principles of designing and maintaining landscapes for fire protection. Inside are updates to the technical information found in each chapter, reorganization of information for better ease of use, and new content on important emerging topics. Useful conversions for many units of measure found in the Handbook or needed in caring for gardens and landscapes are located in Appendix A. A glossary of important technical terms used and an extensive index round out the book.

Land on Fire

Land on Fire
Author: Gary Ferguson
Publisher: Timber Press
Total Pages: 213
Release: 2017-06-21
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1604697008

“This comprehensive book offers a fascinating overview of how those fires are fought, and some conversation-starters for how we might reimagine our relationship with the woods.” —Bill McKibben, author of Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet Wildfire season is burning longer and hotter, affecting more and more people, especially in the west. Land on Fire explores the fascinating science behind this phenomenon and the ongoing research to find a solution. This gripping narrative details how years of fire suppression and chronic drought have combined to make the situation so dire. Award-winning nature writer Gary Ferguson brings to life the extraordinary efforts of those responsible for fighting wildfires, and deftly explains how nature reacts in the aftermath of flames. Dramatic photographs reveal the terror and beauty of fire, as well as the staggering effect it has on the landscape.

Gardenista

Gardenista
Author: Michelle Slatalla
Publisher: Artisan Books
Total Pages: 409
Release: 2016-10-18
Genre: Gardening
ISBN: 1579656528

Named a Best Gift Book for Gardeners by The New York Times Book Review, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Seattle Times, Domino magazine, and Goop. The team behind the inspirational design sites Gardenista.com and Remodelista.com presents an all-in-one manual for making your outdoor space as welcoming as your living room. Tour personality-filled gardens around the world and re-create the looks with no-fail planting palettes. Find hundreds of design tips and easy DIYs, editors’ picks of 100 classic (and stylish) objects, a landscaping primer with tips from pros, over 200 resources, and so much more.

Protecting Life and Property from Wildfire

Protecting Life and Property from Wildfire
Author: James C. Smalley
Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning
Total Pages: 402
Release: 2005
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 9780877656944

Make your community firewise with powerful facts! From coast to coast, an estimated 30,000 communities are at risk from wildland fire. This text provides community leaders and the fire service with the tools required to understand this complex problem and work together to mitigate risks. Protecting Life and Property from Wildfire follows a plan for safer community development, and presents a comprehensive program for protecting lives and property.

In Defense of Plants

In Defense of Plants
Author: Matt Candeias
Publisher: Mango Media Inc.
Total Pages: 297
Release: 2021-03-16
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1642504548

The Study of Plants in a Whole New Light “Matt Candeias succeeds in evoking the wonder of plants with wit and wisdom.” ―James T. Costa, PhD, executive director, Highlands Biological Station and author of Darwin's Backyard #1 New Release in Nature & Ecology, Plants, Botany, Horticulture, Trees, Biological Sciences, and Nature Writing & Essays In his debut book, internationally-recognized blogger and podcaster Matt Candeias celebrates the nature of plants and the extraordinary world of plant organisms. A botanist’s defense. Since his early days of plant restoration, this amateur plant scientist has been enchanted with flora and the greater environmental ecology of the planet. Now, he looks at the study of plants through the lens of his ever-growing houseplant collection. Using gardening, houseplants, and examples of plants around you, In Defense of Plants changes your relationship with the world from the comfort of your windowsill. The ruthless, horny, and wonderful nature of plants. Understand how plants evolve and live on Earth with a never-before-seen look into their daily drama. Inside, Candeias explores the incredible ways plants live, fight, have sex, and conquer new territory. Whether a blossoming botanist or a professional plant scientist, In Defense of Plants is for anyone who sees plants as more than just static backdrops to more charismatic life forms. In this easily accessible introduction to the incredible world of plants, you’ll find: • Fantastic botanical histories and plant symbolism • Passionate stories of flora diversity and scientific names of plant organisms • Personal tales of plantsman discovery through the study of plants If you enjoyed books like The Botany of Desire, What a Plant Knows, or The Soul of an Octopus, then you’ll love In Defense of Plants.

California Friendly

California Friendly
Author: Douglas Kent
Publisher:
Total Pages: 240
Release: 2017-03-09
Genre:
ISBN: 9780692800263

California Friendly® is California's future. Water reliability is dependent on using water wisely. We need to create sustainable gardens that rely on less water. This maintenance guide will help you support California's future:*Uncover the secrets of efficient irrigation.*Explore the techniques for irrigating with recycled water.*Get the maintenance tips for hundreds of California Friendly® plants.*Discover the methods and means of managing weed and pest infestations.*Learn how to maintain rainwater capture opportunities.This book has been written for every landscaper, gardener and land manager in Southern California. It has been produced by the very first collaboration between three Southern California organizations, LADWP, MWD and SoCalGas. Grab a copy--they are free--use the information in your garden and help us create a beautiful, thriving and sustainable future.

Defending Home

Defending Home
Author: Barrett Williams
Publisher: Barrett Williams
Total Pages: 69
Release: 2024-06-26
Genre: Self-Help
ISBN:

**Defending Home Your Comprehensive Guide to Survival and Resilience** In an ever-changing world filled with uncertainties, "Defending Home" is your ultimate companion for ensuring the safety and security of your household. This essential eBook walks you through every step of fortifying your home, preparing for emergencies, and maintaining peace of mind, no matter what challenges arise. **What You'll Discover** **1. Understanding the Devastated Landscape** Learn to identify potential threats and assess the local terrain. Gain insights into monitoring environmental changes that may impact your home. **2. Home Fortification Basics** Dive into the crucial aspects of reinforcing your home's structural integrity, securing entry points, and analyzing vulnerabilities to make your home a fortress. **3. Creating a Safety Plan** Develop emergency protocols, establish clear communication arrangements, and designate safe zones within your home for maximum preparedness. **4. Stockpiling Essential Supplies** Master the techniques for efficient food and water storage, assembling medical and first aid kits, and ensuring a reliable power supply. **5. Building a Home Defense System** Construct protective barriers, set up surveillance and alarm systems, and get equipped with defensive tools and necessary training. **6. Fire Safety and Management** Implement preventive measures, plan effective evacuation routes, and familiarize yourself with essential firefighting equipment. **7. Water Purification and Management** Identify safe water sources, explore various purification methods, and adopt water conservation techniques to sustain your family. **8. Health and Hygiene in Crisis** Maintain cleanliness, prevent disease spread, and address sanitation challenges to keep your household healthy. **9. Nutrition and Food Security** Plan nutritious meals, practice gardening for self-sufficiency, and master food preservation techniques to ensure long-term food security. **10. First Aid and Medical Care** Learn basic first aid skills, manage common injuries, and prepare for long-term medical needs. **11. Mental Health and Emotional Resilience** Develop coping mechanisms, support family members, and reduce stress and anxiety during challenging times. **12. Effective Communication Strategies** Use hand signals and codes, leverage technology safely, and build a strong network with neighbors. **13. Concealment and Camouflage** Blend with surroundings, create hidden compartments, and employ cover and concealment techniques. **14. Sustainable Living Practices** Embrace renewable energy sources, practice resource management, and engage in waste reduction and recycling. **15. Contingency Planning and Drills** Regularly practice drills, adapt plans to new information, and commit to continuous learning and improvement. Empower your household with "Defending Home," a treasure trove of knowledge and practical advice. Transform your home into a safe haven and take control of your future with confidence and resilience.

Smokescreen

Smokescreen
Author: Chad T. Hanson
Publisher: University Press of Kentucky
Total Pages: 264
Release: 2021-05-25
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 0813181054

Smokescreen cuts through years of misunderstanding and misdirection to make an impassioned, evidence-based argument for a new era of forest management for the sake of the planet and the human race. Natural fires are as essential as sun and rain in fire-adapted forests, but as humans encroach on wild spaces, fear, arrogance, and greed have shaped the way that people view these regenerative events and given rise to misinformation that threatens whole ecosystems as well as humanity's chances of overcoming the climate crisis. Scientist and activist Chad T. Hanson explains how natural alarm over wildfire has been marshaled to advance corporate and political agendas, notably those of the logging industry. He also shows that, in stark contrast to the fear-driven narrative around these events, contemporary research has demonstrated that forests in the United States, North America, and around the world have a significant deficit of fire. Forest fires, including the largest ones, can create extraordinarily important and rich wildlife habitats as long as they are not subjected to postfire logging. Smokescreen confronts the devastating cost of current policies and practices head-on and ultimately offers a hopeful vision and practical suggestions for the future—one in which both communities and the climate are protected and fires are understood as a natural and necessary force.