From Gems Press
by D. H. Jacques
Download the free ebook (epub).
Paperback.
Read the original online.
A Rediscovered Classic for Regenerative Growers, Homesteaders, and Gardeners of All Kinds.
Long before the word permaculture was coined, 19th-century author D. H. Jacques offered a gardening philosophy rooted in observation, simplicity, and working with the land. This classic manual — published in 1870 — remains a valuable, practical resource for anyone seeking to grow food, flowers, and fruit trees in harmony with nature.
The Garden: A Manual of Practical Horticulture teaches the basics of successful cultivation through a mix of practical instruction and patient encouragement. You’ll find guidance on planning your garden layout, building up soil health, choosing tools, starting seeds, transplanting, pruning, grafting, composting, and more.
While an occasional bit of Jacques’ advice reflects the limitations of its time, most of his wisdom has proven remarkably durable — and enlightening to those of our current day. His deep understanding of plant life, soil care, and garden design embodies principles that modern ecological growers are rediscovering today. In an era of synthetic shortcuts and disconnected agriculture, this book offers an antidote: thoughtful, frugal, grounded growing.
This restored edition has an updated index. The new version faithfully preserves Jacques’s original text and illustrations, presenting it in a clean, re-typeset format. Whether you’re tending a homestead, teaching a new generation of gardeners, or simply looking to reconnect with older traditions of land care, The Garden: A Manual of Practical Horticulture is a rich and rewarding companion.
